by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jun 21, 2017 | Blog, Cracked Teeth, Endodontics, Endodontist, Root Canal, Sports
Experiencing a dental injury can be a traumatic experience. If you experience an impact injury to your mouth, you may need root canal treatment, even if the tooth isn’t completely knocked out of your mouth. The pulp of your tooth can be injured if the tooth is pushed into or out of its socket, or if it is forced to one side because of the injury.
Here are some common questions and answers about what you should do if you have a dislodged tooth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dislodged Teeth
Question #1: Ouch! I have a tooth dislodged from an accident. What should I do?
You should contact your endodontist or general dentist to have him or her reposition and stabilize the tooth. Medication such as calcium hydroxide may be put inside the tooth as part of the root canal treatment.
Question #2: Why do I need to see an endodontist about my dislodged tooth?
As mentioned above, an injury severe enough to move a tooth out of its natural place in your mouth is likely to cause damage to the pulp and root of your tooth. Endodontists are experts in providing root canal treatments, which are essential to saving an injured or infected tooth that has damage to its pulp.
Question #3: How soon should root canal treatment be started on a dislodged tooth?
To ensure the best chance for success, root canal treatment on a dislodged tooth should be started within a few days of the injury, whenever possible.
Question #4: My 11-year-old had one of her permanent teeth dislodged. Does she need a root canal treatment?
Maybe. The teeth of children under age 12 are still developing and may be able to recover from an injury in ways that the teeth of an adult cannot. Your endodontist or general dentist should monitor your child’s tooth closely so that he or she can intervene immediately if any unfavorable changes appear.
“Having a tooth dislodged can be scary, and can also really hurt,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “It can be reassuring to know that a root canal treatment can help preserve the natural tooth and keep it healthy for years to come!”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Apr 20, 2017 | Blog, Dentistry, Endodontist
At Phoenix Endodontic Group, we believe our staff is what makes our practice so successful! As part of our employee spotlight series, this month, we are highlighting Sarah Apostolakis, one of our prized dental assistants! When not working, Sarah loves being active, “I love the ocean; surfing and snorkeling. I also enjoy hiking and camping.” She brings this same energy to her work. Sarah has experience in periodontics, oral surgery, and general dentistry.
She expanded on her ongoing learning experience at Phoenix Endodontic Group. “I am grateful to be learning Endodontics, as well as, general assisting skills under the guidance of the highly experienced and knowledgeable professionals at Phoenix Endodontic Group.” Sarah was asked to give an example of the kind of experience that makes Dental Assisting so rewarding:
“A woman had eroded all the enamel off of her teeth; the after effect of drinking 2 liters of Diet Coke per day. Her teeth were constantly sensitive and she needed a full mouth reconstruction. We gave her, her smile back, and she was able to eat and drink without sensitivity! In addition, it being a huge confidence booster for her. It was a very rewarding experience.”
Changing negative views of dentistry to positive experiences is why she got into the field. Sarah’s passion for learning and gentle chairside assistance makes her a great addition to the team at Phoenix Endodontic Group.
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Apr 19, 2017 | Blog, Endodontics, Endodontist, Root Canal
Our natural teeth are complex, dynamic parts of a living organism – us! Endodontists play a crucial role in allowing us to keep our natural teeth, which in almost all cases provides the safest and most optimal health outcome.
According to the American Association of Endodontists, here are just some of the ways in which endodontists help your dental team preserve your natural teeth and keep them healthy for a lifetime.
How Endodontists Help Save Natural Teeth
- Endodontists partner with your general dentist. Endodontics is one of nine specialities recognized by the American Dental Association. Endodontists partner with general dentists and other specialists in diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Endodontists are experts in performing root canals. The root canal procedure, which is often the only way to preserve a natural tooth, typically makes up 95 percent of an endodontist’s workload. They use advanced technology and microsurgical techniques to improve patient comfort and save natural teeth.
- Endodontists receive additional training and are experts in tooth root structure. To become specialists, endodontists receive two years of extra training after completing dental school. They gain the expertise to treat everything from the most common to the most unusual or complex tooth root problems, which diminishes the need for retreatment.
- Endodontists provide a solid foundation for other restorative work. A properly done root canal is an excellent platform on which to build a crown or other restoration. This makes it less likely a patient will experience future complications and have to pay for additional work on the tooth.
“Tooth loss can lead to multiple problems over the long term, including shifting teeth, periodontal challenges and the cost and maintenance of prosthetics,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Our goal as endodontists is to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible and keep them healthy.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Mar 15, 2017 | Blog, Endodontics, Endodontist, Root Canal
Last month, this blog covered the top myths surrounding the root canal process, and we emphasized the importance of being a savvy Internet consumer when it comes to evaluating medical information. One of the factors involved in myths about root canals spreading across the web happens when readers confuse a description of what root canals used to be like with what the process is generally like today. Here is a brief list of “truths” about what patients typically experience during today’s root canals to help you better understand what you would experience if you were to need a root canal.
Today’s Truths About Root Canals
- Today’s root canals relieve pain, rather than cause discomfort. Many root canals are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. Modern endodontic techniques and anesthetics keep patients comfortable during the procedure, and after a brief healing period, many patients report their tooth feeling better than ever.
- Today’s root canals are often the best way to save your natural tooth. Often, by the time a root canal is called for, the tooth is either experiencing infection or inflammation of the pulp, or the tooth has been damaged by a fracture. Root canals and other endodontic treatments can often preserve the natural tooth, avoiding the loss of function and appearance change that comes with having the tooth extracted.
- Today’s root canals can last a lifetime! While much depends on how well you care for your teeth and gums after the root canal is performed, if your mouth remains healthy, it is likely your natural tooth that’s been treated with a root canal can stick around as long as you do. It’s important to ensure the crown that’s placed on top of the treated tooth remains structurally sound, because it is your first line of defense against infection or decay that could compromise the tooth.
“It’s very important to get up-to-date information on root canals, since today’s procedure is unlike what your relatives or friends may have experienced a generation – or even a decade – ago,” says Dr. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “The truth is, getting a root canal today is very likely to offer permanent relief from pain in your natural tooth that’s caused by infection or dental injury.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Feb 15, 2017 | Blog, Endodontics, Root Canal
These days, it’s becoming more and more important to be a skeptical reader when it comes to researching medical information online. While a lot of quality sites exist, some websites perpetuate misinformation, making it harder to “do your homework” before you speak with your general dentist or an endodontist about important dental procedures such as root canals.
Here are three common myths about root canals that are often found when doing an online search, as well as accurate information to counter each falsehood.
Busting the Top 3 Myths About Root Canals
Myth #1: Root canals are painful. It’s easy to see why this myth exists. Many patients who come in for a root canal are suffering from the pain of a damaged tooth, or have decay that is causing the pulp of the tooth to become infected. These conditions can be very uncomfortable and can endanger the natural tooth. However, root canal treatment typically relieves the pain caused by these conditions, and preserves the natural tooth, as well.
Myth #2: Root canals are only a temporary solution. While few dental treatments last a lifetime, if a root canal is done by a qualified endodontist, its benefits can last for many years, even decades. It’s important to have a restoration such as a crown placed over the root canal to protect it afterward and to continue a regular daily brushing and flossing routine to ensure the treated tooth remains strong.
Myth #3: Extractions are often a better choice than getting a root canal. Because of the difficulties in chewing and speaking that occur when one loses a natural tooth, and the danger of bone resorption if enough natural teeth are extracted, a root canal should at least be considered when a natural tooth is failing. Root canals have a success rate of 85 percent or more, and a tooth that’s had a root canal done can also receive a root canal retreatment or an apicoectomy if additional treatment is needed to stabilize and save the tooth.
“Root canals are a cost-effective, safe, comfortable way to preserve your natural teeth,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Learn the facts about the procedure and don’t hesitate to call a dental professional if you need a consultation.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jan 18, 2017 | Blog, Dentistry, Endodontics, Endodontist, Phoenix Endodontic Group
When we make an appointment to see an endodontist, there is usually a pressing reason to do so: an infected tooth needs a root canal, a tooth has been dislodged or knocked out and needs to be placed back in the mouth, etc. While we can’t always avoid situations that lead us to needing endodontic treatment, there are actions we can take that will lower our risk of suffering infected or damaged teeth. Here are a few dental care tips to get your new year off to a great start.
Dental Care Tips for 2017: Priorities for Protecting Your Teeth!
- Prevent tooth decay. Help your natural teeth remain strong by protecting them from plaque by brushing twice daily and flossing once a day. The way your toothbrush is held makes a difference as to how effective your brushing is. The right way to brush your teeth is by holding your toothbrush at a small angle against your teeth. Don’t brush too hard – that just irritates your gums.
- Take care of your gums. Speaking of gums, if you skip out on building a daily oral hygiene regimen and don’t show up for your regular dental check-ups – which gives dental professionals a chance to examine the state of your oral health and clean your teeth thoroughly – you may end up with a gum disease such as gingivitis or periodontitis. Gum diseases produce almost no outward symptoms until they are quite advanced, so it’s important to focus on prevention and receiving regular dental care.
- Protect your teeth from damage. There’s a lot you can do to prevent your teeth from becoming damaged. First and foremost, if you play a contact sport, use a mouth guard. Teeth can also become cracked or chipped through grinding one’s teeth (bruxism), or biting down on a food such as nuts or hard candy. Sometimes the damage to your teeth is not visible to the naked eye; it’s always a good idea to have your dentist examine your teeth if you have symptoms such as only being able to chew on one side of your mouth due to pain, or having a tooth that’s extra sensitive to hot or cold foods.
“Even though proper dental care can’t guarantee that you won’t need to see an endodontist in 2017, it will improve your dental health overall, and that should help you bounce back from any challenges to your teeth that might come your way,” says Dr. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group.
