by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Nov 19, 2023 | Blog, Endodontics, Team Spotlight
Learn more about our endodontic care team at Phoenix Endodontic Group in our Team Spotlight.
Our November Team Spotlight features office administrator and dental assistant, Ana-Alicia Salas. Ani manages both administrative tasks in our endodontic practice and assists the doctors with endodontic procedures. She is a valued team member at Phoenix Endodontic Group and we are thrilled share a little more about Ani.
We had a Q&A with Ani:
Full Name: Ana-Alicia Salas
Job Title: Office Administrator/Dental Assistant
What’s the day-to-day of your role like?: ? Following up with our referring offices to ensure we are providing the best service to both their office and patients.
What are 3 words to describe Phoenix Endodontic Group?: Committed, Friendly, Attentive.
Before working at Phoenix Endodontic Group, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?: I’ve always worked at Phoenix Endodontic Group
First Job: Phoenix Endodontic Group
Do you have any hobbies?: Reading, shopping and playing with my nephew.
Favorite food: Pizza
Pet(s): Boxer: Banner; Mixed Terrier: Coco
Favorite book: The Summer I Turned Pretty
Favorite movie: Love Rosie
Something on your bucket list: Going to Rome
Guilty pleasure: People Watching
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Nov 3, 2023 | Blog, Endodontics, Endodontist, Root Canal
When times are tough, folks yearn for the “good old days.” However, most of us wouldn’t really want to travel back in time for complex dental work. For endodontic procedures such as root canal therapy, patient outcomes and happiness have improved immensely, on the heels of improvements in technology and treatment techniques.
Here’s a brief list of just some ways root canal therapy has gotten better over recent generations.
Advancements In Root Canal Therapy
1. Diagnostic imaging, for better treatment. When root canals were first performed, dentists didn’t have even basic imaging technology to guide their work. Today, treatments can be pinpointed with Cone Beam Computed Tomography, allowing endodontists a full 3-D view of your teeth.
2. Local anesthetics allow a comfortable treatment. The earliest root canal treatments happened before the advent of anesthesia. Today’s patients have largely pain-free experiences through local anesthetics. Further, if dental anxiety is an issue, sedation dentistry can provide a gentle solution.
3. Microsurgical tools allow precision canal cleaning and shaping. The first root-canal shaping tool was developed by Edwin Maynard in the mid-1800s, created from a watch spring. Today’s precise tools for cleaning and shaping infected root canals are developed task-specifically, continually refined, and always crafted with your teeth in mind.
4. New cleansing technologies ensure more complete treatment. Top endodontic practices now use the GentleWave Procedure, a root canal treatment that uses fluid dynamics to ensure superior canal cleaning. The result is a faster, less invasive root canal with minimal pain and rapid healing.
5. Restorations ensure root canal treatments remain successful. Early root canal treatments were not followed by the placement of restorations such as a permanent crown. This critical step has hugely enhanced the long-term success rate of root canals, allowing a properly cared for root canal treatment to often last a lifetime.
At Phoenix Endodontic Group, practitioners use all our available advances to provide state-of-the-art treatment.
“When you enter one of our treatment rooms, every aspect of your root canal treatment has been evaluated and selected to provide you with the safest, most comfortable treatment possible. Our goal is preserving your natural teeth, so you can enjoy them for a lifetime,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, founder of the practice.
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Oct 15, 2023 | Blog, Endodontics, Team Spotlight
Learn more about our endodontic care team at Phoenix Endodontic Group in our Team Spotlight.
Our October Team Spotlight features Operations Director, Kevin Conroy. Kevin is our go to for all administrative areas of the practice: bookkeeping. AP/AR, HR, scheduling, handles clinic facility operations and more. He is the glue that furthers Phoenix Endodontic Group moving toward our goal of being known as the best Endodontic Specialty clinic in the state of Arizona.
We had a Q&A with Kevin:
Full Name:Kevin G. Conroy
Job Title: Operations Director
What’s the day-to-day of your role like?: ? I manage all administrative areas of the practice: bookkeeping. AP/AR, HR, scheduling, etc. I also handle clinic facility operations and planning new equipment purchases.
What are 3 words to describe Phoenix Endodontic Group?: Patient-Focused, State-of-the-art, Leader in Endodontic Specialty in the State
Before working at Phoenix Endodontic Group, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?: I was a security guard for concerts and events in Washington DC during my college years.
First Job: I was a dishwasher in a Chinese Restaurant in Martinsville, VA.
Do you have any hobbies?: Reading history books, and hiking when the weather is right.
Favorite food: Italian Food
Favorite book: “The Devil’s Chessboard”
Favorite movie: The Outlaw Josey Wales
Something on your bucket list:Taking my three grandsons on a trip to Ireland (when they are old enough).
Guilty pleasure: Enjoying the quiet in the early morning drinking coffee outside (weather permitting).
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Sep 18, 2023 | Blog, Endodontics, Team Spotlight
Learn more about our endodontic care team at Phoenix Endodontic Group in our Team Spotlight.
Our September Team Spotlight features office administrator, Janeth Zazuta. Janeth manages the administrative tasks in our endodontic practice and helps create a warm and welcoming environment. She maintains a positive and peaceful atmosphere to help our patients feel comfortable. She is a valued team member at Phoenix Endodontic Group and we are thrilled share a little more about Janeth.
We had a Q&A with Janeth:
Full Name: Janeth Soto Zazuta
Job Title: Office Administrator
What’s the day-to-day of your role like?: ? Keep a positive and peaceful atmosphere regardless of what the day brings.
What are 3 words to describe Phoenix Endodontic Group?: Kindhearted, educational, giving.
Before working at Phoenix Endodontic Group, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?: Shamrock Farms, watching gallons of milk on a rolling belt (Boring!)
First Job: K-Mart
Do you have any hobbies?: Facelifting old furniture, Decorating
Favorite food: Italian/Pastas
Pet(s): Maltese/American Pitbull
Favorite book: The Walk Series
Favorite movie: La Bamba/Hatchi
Something on your bucket list: Travel and learn about other cultures.
Guilty pleasure: Alone time.
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Aug 13, 2023 | Blog, Endodontics, Team Spotlight
Learn more about our endodontic care team at Phoenix Endodontic Group in our Team Spotlight.
Our August Team Spotlight features Suzie Salas. With a passion for precision and patient care, Suzie serves as a skilled Dental Assistant, bringing her expertise and compassion to every aspect of our practice. With a background in dentistry and a commitment to excellence, Suzie plays a pivotal role in ensuring that our patients’ experiences are comfortable and seamless. Her friendly demeanor and attention to detail create an environment where patients feel at ease, and her collaborative spirit enhances our cohesive team dynamic. Suzie’s dedication to her craft and her genuine concern for our patients’ well-being truly embody the spirit of quality care that defines Phoenix Endodontic Group.
We had a Q&A with Suzie: 
Full Name: Suzanna Salas
Job Title: Dental Assistant
What’s the day-to-day of your role like?: Assisting doctor, educating patients on root canal treatments.
What are 3 words to describe Phoenix Endodontic Group?: Caring, Efficient, Dedicated.
Before working at Phoenix Endodontic Group, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?: I was a waitress/bartender at a Mexican restaurant.
First Job: Burger King
Do you have any hobbies?: Reading, yard work, playing with grandson
Favorite food: Italian
Pet(s): Boxer: Banner; Mixed Terrier: Coco
Favorite book: Anything by James Patterson
Favorite movie: Mama Mia
Something on your bucket list: Travel
Guilty pleasure: Watching Dr. Pimple Popper
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jun 19, 2023 | Blog, Endodontics, Endodontist, Root Canal
Time is precious. That’s why, even when a natural tooth needs saving through a root canal procedure, we typically want to know how much time we’ll need to commit to the endodontist. Depending on the condition of your tooth, which tooth is getting the root canal, and a host of other factors, the amount of time needed for the root canal can vary considerably.
Here’s a brief look at some things that can impact the time required for your root canal – including care before and after the procedure itself.
Factors That Impact How Long A Root Canal Procedure Takes
1. The preliminary examination before your root canal procedure. This appointment is needed to confirm the diagnosis and help your endodontist plan your treatment.
2. You may need antibiotic treatment before your treatment. If your tooth is badly infected, you’ll need to complete a course of antibiotics before your root canal. This can delay your appointment or make the treatment itself more complicated.
3. Before the root canal itself, your endodontist will prepare your tooth. Before the actual cleaning of the tooth roots, your endodontist will have the area around the impacted tooth numbed with local anesthesia. Then a dental dam – a small sheet of latex or another material – will be placed to isolate the tooth and keep the area clean.
4. Root canal treatment itself can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. This includes cleaning the root canals, flushing them with a disinfecting agent, and placing a temporary filling. Teeth with multiple roots may take longer.
5. After the root canal treatment, you’ll need to schedule a follow-up appointment to place a permanent restoration. To provide extra protection from reinfection or additional damage, a crown is the necessary final step in the root canal process. It’s important to get a crown placed quickly to protect against new infection and ensure the root canal treatment succeeds.
“At our practice, we understand our patients have busy lives, so we provide an estimate of how long their root canal should take, from start to finish,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, who practices at the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “We welcome questions about our time estimates and any additional steps they may want to take at home before or after the procedure.”
