by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Aug 1, 2024 | Dental Implants, Root Canal
More than 25 million root canal treatments are performed each year in the United States – that’s an average of more than 68,000 every day. Yet myths persist about root canal treatments, decades after they have become a common dental treatment. Nearly 15 percent of Americans put off needed dental care due to fears and anxiety, so it’s important to address misconceptions about root canals. Here are the facts to set to rest five of the most harmful and persistent myths about root canal treatments.
Busting 5 Common Myths About Root Canal Treatments
- Root canal treatments hurt. Today’s root canal treatments are delivered using modern local anesthetics or light to moderate sedation, and employing cutting-edge technology such as GentleWave to ensure a thorough and complete cleaning of the infected tooth roots. On top of that, endodontists are experts in pain management, so they work carefully to minimize any discomfort during or after the procedure.
- Having a root canal will make me sick. This myth, based on poorly conducted, long-debunked research done nearly a century ago, is particularly troublesome. The infection in your failing natural tooth will not “travel” anywhere else in your body. Nor will the root canal treatment itself give you cancer. In fact, recent research indicates that patients with multiple endodontic treatments had a greatly reduced risk of head and neck cancers.
- It’s better to extract a tooth than have a root canal. Tooth extraction is rarely an endodontist’s top recommendation. Missing teeth cause lifelong oral health challenges, and artificial replacements such as implants or bridges require more time and preparation to provide, as well as more investment, compared to a root canal.
- I’m not experiencing (X symptom), so I don’t need a root canal. While symptoms such as pain with a quick onset, tenderness to pressure on the tooth, or swelling of the surrounding tissues are common indications you need root canal treatment, absence of these symptoms does not rule out the need for one. Endodontists look for clinical signs that may not be obvious to you, but which give a more accurate picture of what’s going on inside your tooth.
- After my root canal treatment, I don’t need to do anything else. Natural teeth saved by a root canal can last a lifetime with proper care. A dental crown placed on top of a tooth after receiving a root canal treatment is a critical part of proper care. The crown provides stability and enhanced protection from tooth decay or infections due to a cracked or broken tooth. This step is not optional. In fact, your endodontist may follow up to ensure you’ve had a crown placed within a few weeks of your root canal.
Get The Facts About Your Situation – Make An Appointment Today
Learn more about the advantages of the root canal treatment process at the Phoenix Endodontic Group. Our staff is happy to conduct a detailed examination and review what you need to do to save your natural tooth. Call 602-242-4745 today to schedule an appointment.
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jun 3, 2024 | Cracked Teeth, Root Canal
Everyone’s teeth are unique, as is the story of what brings each patient into the endodontist’s office. Some patients have struggled with dental health their entire lives; others show up needing help to save a tooth when they never had a cavity.
While the story of your teeth is personal, there are several common reasons you might need root canal therapy. The good news is that you can take proactive steps if you are concerned and want to protect and preserve your dental health. Paying attention to these factors may help minimize damage to your oral health and speed you on the road to recovery after root canal therapy.
Top 3 Situations That Can Lead To Root Canal Therapy
- Severe tooth decay extending deep into the tooth. An untreated cavity or tooth weakened by decay can go from bad to worse quickly if decay reaches nerve pulp in your tooth. Bacteria associated with tooth decay can cause an abscess, requiring emergency treatment to stabilize. You will need root canal therapy to clean the tooth’s roots and save the natural tooth. If you think you may have a cavity, make an appointment with your dentist.
- A cracked or chipped tooth. Bacteria that infect tooth pulp can also enter through an injury to the tooth. Teeth may be damaged in car accidents, sports, or falls. Always get prompt medical attention for chipped or broken teeth. You may eventually need root canal therapy to ensure an injured tooth will not suffer additional structural problems.
- A damaged or failing dental restoration. It doesn’t seem fair that a restoration meant to protect your tooth might contribute to the need for root canal therapy. Crowns are designed to be durable, but some may be more susceptible to damage or failure than others. To avoid this fate, practice good oral hygiene and visit the dentist regularly to keep tabs on how your crown or other restoration is impacting your mouth as a whole.
“There’s no shame in needing root canal therapy – many people encounter common situations best treated through root canals to preserve natural teeth,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, who practices at the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Communicating clearly with your dentist and endodontist about what you are experiencing can lead to more accurate diagnoses and more successful treatment.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | May 2, 2024 | Root Canal, Top
Having a cavity may sound like no big deal; after all, 90 percent of American adults over the age of 20 have had at least one. An untreated cavity, though, invites serious tooth damage. If a cavity is allowed to spread unchecked, your tooth may require a root canal treatment.
To better understand how a cavity can progress into a damaged tooth that needs a root canal, the endodontists at Phoenix Endodontic Group provided answers to some popular questions on the topic.
Answers To Common Questions About Tooth Decay And Root Canals
What is tooth decay?
Decay happens when plaque, a thin bacterial film, forms on the surface of the teeth and begins to attack the enamel, which makes up the tooth’s hard, protective outer layer.
How can tooth decay lead to a root canal?
After penetrating tooth enamel, bacteria erode dentin and then infect pulp. The tooth pulp layer contains nerves and blood vessels. At this point you may experience an abscess – a pocket of pus – in the roots of your tooth. When the pulp layer is damaged through infection, a root canal may become necessary to save your tooth.
How do I know if my cavity is bad enough to need a root canal?
You should contact your dentist or endodontist if you experience a severe toothache that gets worse when chewing or biting with the tooth, a darkening of the infected tooth, a boil or pimple on the gum surrounding the tooth, or pain from hot or cold lasting after the source has been removed.
How does a root canal work to repair the damage caused by tooth decay?
Your endodontist will use a set of special files or a technology like the GentleWave Procedure to clean out the infection and shape your tooth roots. Then, they will use a biocompatible material like gutta-percha to fill the roots and replace the tooth pulp. As a last step, to prevent additional infections from entering the tooth, your general dentist will place a crown over the tooth receiving the root canal.
How can I learn more about what my root canal treatment will be like?
Call us. At Phoenix Endodontic Group, we’re always happy to discuss the specifics of your case and answer your questions about what to expect before, during and after your root canal. Our commitment is to deliver your care in a welcoming, comfortable, stress-free environment.
To schedule an appointment with the Phoenix Endodontic Group, call (602) 242-4745.
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Apr 8, 2024 | Blog, Root Canal
Are you one of those people who feels a little anxious about having to undergo a root canal procedure? We can help. Our practice offers IV sedation as a way to manage the anxiety that comes with having to have a root canal. IV Sedation helps issues with discomfort, or for patients with dental anxiety. It is also useful when we work on numerous teeth or complex tooth roots.
Using IV sedation for root canals allows patients to receive care with relative ease and permits our practitioners to provide care in a relaxed, focused environment.
Here we answer a few common questions relating to IV sedation dentistry.
How is IV sedation different from local anesthesia?
During most root canals, patients receive local anesthesia injected in the gum near the tooth to be worked upon. The patient cannot feel discomfort around this area, but is fully conscious. IV sedation is a method of delivering anesthesia intravenously and relaxes the entire body.
Who delivers IV sedation at your practice during root canals?
Phoenix Endodontic Group contracts with a licensed dental anesthesiologist to provide and monitor IV sedation services.
What might I experience during my IV sedation root canal?
Sedation is delivered to the degree most appropriate for your situation. Most patients experience a light to moderate level of sedation during root canal therapy.
Light IV sedation makes you feel relaxed. Moderate IV sedation may make you feel drowsy; later on, you may not clearly remember your procedure. Heavy IV sedation does not make you unconscious, but most patients fall asleep and remember nothing about their experience.
How do I prepare for an IV sedation root canal?
If you’re having a root canal with IV sedation, our staff will discuss your treatment plan during your initial consultation. Be sure to tell us about medications you are taking (including over-the-counter) or systemic health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Are there any after-care instructions specifically for root canal patients who receive IV sedation?
After the procedure, you will need a trusted driver to take you home. You may resume most normal activities 24 hours after your IV sedation root canal.
In addition to its use during root canal therapy, our practice also utilizes IV sedation during the placement of dental implants and in conjunction with emergency dental services for broken or knocked-out teeth.
“At Phoenix Endodontic Group, we use all tools at our disposal to provide quality dental care in a calming, healing environment,” says endodontist Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen. “We’re happy to discuss our protocols for IV sedation dentistry and whether it is the right choice for your root canal.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Feb 6, 2024 | Blog, Endodontist, GentalWave, Root Canal
Like carpenters (or stock brokers), endodontists rely on tools of the trade to do their work. Members of both professions have plenty of tools to help them get the job done. Not all tools are created equal for specific tasks, however. Both a screwdriver and a hammer can be used to pound a nail into a board, but the hammer is the better-suited choice.
When performing root canals, endodontists now have a tool better than the metal files of old for cleaning tooth roots. Practitioners at Phoenix Endodontic Group now turn to the GentleWave system to perform root canals. Here’s a quick look at its advantages over traditional root canal tools.
Why GentleWave Beats Them All
- The GentleWave System is minimally invasive. It uses multisonic wave pressure to move specially formulated fluid through your tooth roots. No scraping.
- GentleWave can clean your root canals more completely than traditional tools. A cascade of bubbles moves like a whirlwind, descending then rising out of the canal. This flushes bacteria and biofilm from the tooth, no matter how complex the canal’s shape.
- Most patients feel little or no pain during a GentleWave root canal. An ongoing clinical trial by dental technology provider Sonendo, Inc., reported that 99.5 percent of enrolled patients experienced no pain during a GentleWave root canal utilizing CleanFlow Technology.
- Root canal treatment time is reduced when GentleFlow is used. Many root canal patients can now receive their treatment in a single session. (The necessary final crown will be placed in a later visit.)
“The GentleWave System has revolutionized how root canals are performed,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen of Phoenix Endodontic Group. “It provides a faster, more complete cleaning of root canals with less discomfort. Because of this, we are confident GentleWave is the best option for most patients’ root canal therapy.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jan 3, 2024 | Blog, Root Canal
Preparation is like power tools – you can get things done without it, but why would you want to? Understanding what may happen when referred to an endodontist for root canal therapy can make the difference between approaching the experience with anxiety or with confidence, maybe even excitement (yes, really!).
Talk with your dental treatment team about the five aspects of root canal therapy listed below before your treatment is scheduled. Do, and you’ll be prepared for most parts of the procedure. You will also be ready to play an active part in your own healing.
5 Things You Should Know Before Root Canal Therapy Begins
1. If root canal therapy is the best choice for you. Your endodontist can provide a clear treatment plan for your failing natural tooth. They will perform a preliminary examination and discuss whether root canal therapy can save your tooth, or whether another option is a better fit.
2. Do you need to take antibiotics before your therapy begins? Many teeth needing root canals are infected from decay or injury. Your practitioner may prescribe oral antibiotics to fight any active infections.
3. Post-procedure instructions from your endodontist. You will go home with a sheet of instructions, including what foods to eat, how to care for your tooth after the root canal, and activities to avoid for the first few days.
4. What to do if you have pain after your root canal therapy. Root canals usually relieve pain rather than causing it. Sharp pain after a root canal may indicate more treatment is needed. Your endodontist will provide a number to call (both during and after working hours) if you experience pain and need to be examined immediately.
5. When to schedule follow-ups with your endodontist and dentist. Your specific damage and treatment may need a follow-up with your endodontist. Otherwise, once the tooth treated with root canal therapy has begun healing, you will visit your general dentist for a crown or other restoration atop your root canal, ensuring years of protection for your natural tooth.
“We equip our patients with the knowledge to feel comfortable and informed before root canal therapy,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontics Group. “Understanding what to expect improves healing and the procedure’s success.”
