by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Apr 11, 2016 | Blog, Endodontics, Endodontist, Root Canal
As a practitioner of general dentistry, it’s your goal to provide quality service to your patients, even in the most challenging clinical circumstances. Sometimes, that means referring a patient to be treated by a dental specialist.
For cases in which a natural tooth is threatened by infection or injury, the Phoenix Endodontic Group should be at the top of your dental referral list. Patients needing root canals, apicoectomies, or related procedures will benefit from the clinical expertise of the dentists at Phoenix Endodontic Group.
- Endodontists have two to three additional years of specialized training beyond dental school, focusing specifically on the treatment of tooth root disorders.
- Endodontists have a higher daily volume of clinical experience with procedures such as root canals — some average as many as 25 root canals per week.
- Endodontists have access to cutting-edge tools and microsurgical techniques, making the process safe and effective for patients.
- Endodontists are specialists in pain management and complex cases, with significant experience in saving highly damaged or severely infected teeth.
You may especially want to consider making a referral if you have a case that involves:
- The inclination or rotation of a tooth
- l Tooth roots or canals that are curved
- l Radiographs of the tooth that indicate the presence of a pulp stone in the canals
- l A tooth with a post or a crown
“General practitioners are held to a specialist’s level of care, so it’s important to have a strong referral network when you encounter a complex or challenging case,” says Dr. Allen of the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Our practice specializes in difficult-to-treat cases. You’ll look good for referring them, and your patient will feel good after the procedure.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Mar 21, 2016 | Blog, Dental Implants
When a client visits an endodontist’s office with an infected or damaged tooth, most of the time, the practitioner is able to save the natural tooth. However, sometimes this isn’t possible, and then it is necessary to extract the tooth and replace it with a dental implant.
Implantology is the branch of dentistry that deals with the permanent implantation of artificial teeth in the jaw. Dental implants are provided using the following general process when it is determined that a natural tooth must be removed.
- After a careful diagnostic examination has been conducted, the natural tooth is extracted.
- The jawbone is then prepared for the dental implant surgery. Some clients do not have sufficient bone density in their jaw to ensure a successful implantation, so it must be augmented with bone grafts prior to the implant process.
- During the dental implant surgery itself, the oral surgeon makes a cut to open the gum and expose the bone. Holes are drilled into the bone where the dental implant metal post will be placed. Since the post will serve as the tooth root, it’s implanted deep into the bone.
- After the post is placed, a waiting period is necessary to allow osseointegration, or for the post to integrate itself into the jawbone to provide a firm foundation for the dental implant. Often, a temporary tooth is provided during the waiting period (which can last up to six months), or the surgeon can suture the gum over the area containing the post to let it heal.
- Once osseointegration has taken place, the oral surgeon will place the abutment and the crown. The crown is a fixed prosthesis, meaning it is permanently attached to the jaw and does not need to be removed the way dentures or removable bridges do.
The Phoenix Endodontic Group considers the study of implantology to be a natural progression of their work as endodontists. Dr. Jaqueline S. Allen takes advantage of CE and study workshops that are offered on Endodontics and Implants – and always provide treatment in the patients best interest.
“Dental implants are a safe, effective means for restoring full function to a client’s mouth when their natural tooth must be extracted,” says Dr. Allen.
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Mar 15, 2016 | Blog, Endodontics, Root Canal
Root canals have definitely evolved over the last several decades. For many years, root canals were synonymous with untoward events in people’s lives. Common phrases such as “I’d rather have a root canal than…” or “that hurt worse than a root canal” have haunted the specialty that I am so passionate about, for far too long. Even more recently, a comment made by our very own president painted root canals as being less popular than his bank buy-out. Come on people. Are root canals really that bad?
The answer is simply, no; they are not! I have a phrase that I use when I complete a procedure and my patient says “well, that wasn’t as bad as everyone said it would be.” My reply is, “who wants to hear anyone say ‘my root canal was so easy; I didn’t feel a thing and it was a great experience?” Let’s face it, our world is so caught up in the horror stories that they believe to be true that they don’t really care or listen about the good experiences.
There have been so many advancements in root canal treatment! With the advent of new anesthetic techniques came the ability to treat teeth in one visit and with much less discomfort than before. With the advent of nickel titanium rotary, instruments are more efficient and have reduced clinical treatment times. With the advent of microscopes came the ability to see microfractures and additional canals that we never knew were there before. And with the advent of cone beam computed tomography, we gained the ability to discern between the teeth we should be treating, and those that are hopeless and should be extracted.
On March 27-April 2, the American Association of Endodontists will present its tenth annual Root Canal Awareness Week. This is a special week that we use to educate patients and remind clinicians of all the ways that root canal therapy has changed over the years. For the better!
Have a question about root canals? Leave a comment below or visit our website.
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Mar 8, 2016 | Blog, Endodontics, Endodontist, Root Canal
No matter how permanent something seems in our lives, the element of change is always in play. Telephones have evolved from a device affixed to a wall that had us shouting into a large funnel to send our voice across the wires, into today’s “smartphones” that are basically tiny computers that fit in our pockets. We’ve transformed exercise gyms from places with vibrating motor-driven belts that jiggled our waists and thighs to slick suites offering Bikram “hot” yoga and Pilates.
Root canals – one of the key procedures used by endodontists to save weakened or infected natural teeth – have also evolved. The American Association of Endodontists showcase this progression during Root Canal Awareness Week, which this year will be observed from March 27 to April 2. The week casts a spotlight on how the root canal procedure has changed over the years and why endodontists are the best equipped providers to perform it.
Facts About Root Canals and Endodontists
- More than 15 million root canals are performed each year in the United States.
- Eighty-nine percent of patients who receive root canals from endodontists say that they are satisfied with the results they received.
- As root canal specialists, endodontists receive two to three extra years of training beyond dental school, and typically perform 25 root canals per week, compared to an average of less than two root canals performed each week by general dentists.
- Endodontists have the following advantages when they perform a root canal procedure: access to advanced equipment, knowledge of microsurgical techniques, and a professional focus on saving natural teeth and diagnosing and treating tooth pain.
“Family physicians turn to medical specialists, such as cardiologists and podiatrists, when their patients have serious health issues,” says Dr. Allen, an endodontist who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “General dentists turn to endodontists when your natural tooth needs to be treated with a root canal.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Feb 10, 2016 | Blog, Endodontics, Endodontist, Root Canal
Having a root canal treatment is one big step toward saving an infected or damaged tooth. However, the root canal procedure itself, which has a 95 percent success rate, is only the beginning of the treatment process. There are several steps you can take – some immediately after your root canal and some over the long run – to ensure your tooth heals properly.
Caring For Your Teeth After A Root Canal
- Post-operative care. Immediately after the treatment, don’t bite down or chew with the treated tooth. You can manage discomfort with over-the-counter pain medication and by applying an ice pack to your face for 10 minutes every 20 minutes to reduce swelling. Return to your endodontist if discomfort persists or your original symptoms return.
- Taking prescribed medications. It is critical that you take all medications that may have been prescribed by your endodontist after your treatment.
- Dental restoration. Make an appointment with your general dentist around two weeks after your root canal so he or she can place a crown on the treated tooth to protect it from reinfection. A crown can also provide important support to the compromised tooth’s structure.
- Periodic endodontic appointments. Don’t skip follow-up visits to your endodontist after your restoration is in place. Your endodontist will examine the root canal by using X-rays and other assessment tools to make sure there are no signs of infection and to monitor healing.
- Good oral hygiene. You can keep your restored tooth healthy by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and getting dental cleanings regularly.
“Some patients think their root canal is finished once they leave their endodontist’s chair,” says Dr. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “But the treatment is a process, not an event. Following your aftercare instructions is crucial.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Feb 2, 2016 | Blog, Endodontist, Phoenix Endodontic Group
Endodontics is one of nine specialties recognized by the American Dental Association, so it’s not surprising that Phoenix endodontists get many of their patients from referrals from general dentists. According to the American Association of Endodontists, 97 percent of general dentists referred a patient to an endodontist last year.
There are several reasons endodontic referrals are made, all of which result in a better outcome for you and your teeth.
Why Phoenix endodontists receive referrals
- Experience and training – Endodontists receive two to three years of postgraduate training in this special practice area, which relates to treating the diseases of the inner dental pulp and nerves. They also typically do many more root canals than general dentists do – as many as 25 per week, versus a general dentist, who may average two root canals a week.
- Equipment – Root canals are performed with specialized equipment that includes microscopes with which to view the surgery area and files to clean out the infected canals.
- Ability to treat complex or unusual cases – Many patients who are referred to an endodontist have tooth roots that may be curved, have multiple roots for one tooth, or have other anomalies. Endodontists rely on their additional training and expertise to guide them through successful treatment of these unique cases.
- Ability to make the treatment comfortable – Endodontists can often perform root canals and other related procedures more quickly than general practitioners, which can result in greater comfort and reduced anxiety for a patient.
“Your Phoenix endodontist has close professional relationships with many general dentists in the Valley,” says Dr. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “We are able to provide fast, efficient, successful treatments within our area of practice, so general practitioners may focus on providing other services.”
