by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Mar 15, 2018 | Blog, Endodontics, General Information, Root Canal, Technology
Endodontists are fond of emphasizing that endodontic therapies such as root canals preserve your natural teeth, allowing you to chew, speak and eat without the downsides that come with dentures or other forms of dental restorations. Most current endodontic therapy preserves the outside of a natural tooth by placing a crown over it, while replacing the failing nerve and pulp in the canals with the latex filling gutta-percha.
However, one of the most exciting developments in professional endodontics in the past generation has been research into regenerative endodontic therapy. Instead of replacing the nerve pulp with an inert substance, this groundbreaking treatment creates and delivers healthy living tissue to replace diseased, missing or traumatized pulp.
Endodontists who are at the forefront of this research combine their knowledge of pulp biology, the proper care of dental trauma, and tissue engineering to accomplish this task. The body’s own existing cells or bioactive materials are inserted in the pulp chamber to stimulate regrowth. A related procedure, apexification, employs similar methods to grow a dentin-like substance over the apex (tip) of the tooth root, in order to improve the chances of a traditional root canal treatment succeeding when the death of the pulp in a developing adult tooth has left an open apex.
Endodontic practitioners measure the success of regenerative endodontic therapy by its ability to achieve the following treatment goals:
- Elimination of symptoms
- Increased root wall thickness and/or root length
- Positive response to pulp vitality testing
While this technique is still evolving, endodontists are following the progress of its development with great interest.
“Regenerative endodontic therapy opens the door to transforming how we approach saving natural teeth,” says Dr. Allen, an endodontist in private practice with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “It truly may lead to a clinical situation in which we facilitate the body healing itself.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Feb 15, 2018 | Blog, Business, Endodontist, Root Canal
When you are trying to invest in something important – a car, say – it’s not enough to think about any type of motorized vehicle with four wheels that will get you from Point A to Point B. To get the best value for your money, you’ll have to think about how you live your life, what monthly payment you can afford, the size of your garage, and many other factors.
That same sort of individualized thinking comes into play when you have an infected or injured tooth and need to see a dental professional to fix it. You most likely will need an endodontist, a dentist who is a specialist in saving natural teeth. But there’s more to finding a good endodontist than just looking for the word in a practice’s name. Here are just a few qualities you’ll want to look for as you “comparison shop” for endodontists, to find the best specialist to work on your mouth.
Great Qualities Your Endodontist Should Have
- Specialized training. Endodontists receive two to three additional years of schooling after dental school, but because the field changes so rapidly, a commitment to continuing education is a must. Membership in an organization such as the American Association of Endodontists can indicate a practitioner is invested in remaining up to date on their education.
- A commitment to your comfort. Endodontists are experts at managing pain and discomfort, even for patients who have had challenges in this area in the past. A good endodontist will focus on your comfort level and seek to maintain or improve it throughout all procedures that are undertaken.
- Skill with current technologies. Technological breakthroughs have revolutionized root canal treatment in the past 30 years. An endodontist’s use of these tools can make your recovery from treatment quicker and help you experience less discomfort.
- A high experience level with endodontic procedures. General dentists perform, on average, two root canals per week; an endodontist may perform as many as 25. This translates into greater familiarity with different challenges and how to solve them.
- A wide network of professional colleagues. Collaborating with a network of general dentists, fellow endodontists and other dental specialists means your endodontist can accept and make referrals with ease if your case calls for one.
“As endodontists, we are committed to pursuing the education, collaboration and professional excellence it takes to properly care for our clients,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, a partner with the Phoenix Endodontic Group.
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Nov 13, 2017 | Blog, Endodontics, Endodontist, General Information, Root Canal
Like most health-enhancing procedures, the technologies and techniques used to provide root canals have been steadily advancing, especially over the past few decades. Today’s root canal procedure is considerably easier on patients than it was in the 1980s, or even the 1990s.
Something that may surprise you, however, is that root canals have been around for well over a century. Here’s a brief list of historical milestones related to root canal procedures, to foster appreciation for how they have developed.
Important Dates In Root Canal History
- 1728 – Pierre Fauchard, a French physician regarded as the father of modern dentistry, authors the book “Le chirurgien dentiste,” which describes the existence of dental pulp.
- 1838 – American Edwin Maynard creates the first root canal instrument, which he fashions from a watch spring.
- 1847 – Gutta-percha is introduced as a material for filling dental canals.
- 1890s – Crowns are becoming increasingly popular as a dental restoration. Many require canal posts, which increases interest in endodontic treatments such as root canals.
- 1900 – The emerging imaging technology of X-rays is identified as an important tool for diagnosing tooth root problems.
- 1943 – The American Association of Endodontics is established to facilitate professional practice in this specialty.
- 1950s – After a half-century of controversy, research establishes that natural teeth needing root canals do not cause systemic health problems, leading to a renewed interest in endodontics.
- 1990s to the present – Endodontic root canal treatments receive an upgrade due to improved imaging techniques, the advent of rotary nickel-titanium files to clean canals, and use of new irrigating solutions.
“Root canals have never been a static procedure, with only ‘one right way’ to preserve a challenged natural tooth,” says Dr. Allen of the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Endodontists in all eras have striven to improve the experience for patients and create successful outcomes.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Oct 18, 2017 | Blog, Endodontics, Phoenix Endodontic Group, Root Canal
The last several weeks in October seem to be high season for those who love all things scary, including horror movies, gory Halloween costumes and the like. But very few people seem to use the season to embrace their fears of real-world situations. If the prospect of getting a root canal has you quaking in your boots more than a trip to the store to buy your Halloween costume, let’s address several common fears about them, so you can take that dental procedure out of your personal mental category of “spooky.”
Getting Over Your Fear Of Root Canals
Fear #1: My root canal treatment will be painful.
Fact: The tools and techniques that endodontists currently use to work with patients minimize pain and maximize the chances that he or she will be able to save your natural tooth. The discomfort you might experience during a root canal is similar to what you might experience if you were having a tooth filled. For many patients, a root canal actually relieves the pain they’ve been experiencing due to an injured or infected tooth.
Fear #2: My root canal treatment will involve frightening procedures or loud noises.
Fact: One fear common to many types of dental anxiety is undergoing a treatment involving complex, unfamiliar activities or which involves loud noises. Your endodontist can explain how he or she will perform the root canal, and is able to offer an array of remedies to keep you calm and comfortable during the procedure.
Fear #3: My root canal treatment won’t last, so why bother?
Fact: Some patients hesitate to get a root canal based on the faulty belief that they’re rarely successful, and wonder if they should just move directly to getting the tooth extracted. The data on root canals show that they preserve the natural tooth 95 percent of the time, so it is definitely a procedure worth considering!
“There are a lot of situations in life that require caution and heeding one’s fears, but root canals simply aren’t one of them,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Your endodontist can help you overcome your fears related to this important dental procedure.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jun 28, 2017 | Blog, Endodontics, Endodontist, Phoenix Endodontic Group, Root Canal
When we think of tooth saving tips, we immediately think of oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) or prevention like wearing your mouthguard during sports or other physical activity. But, rarely, do we think of the choice to be made once a tooth is compromised.
The American Association of Endodontists has an array of tooth saving tips once a tooth needs intervention: “Saving a natural tooth through endodontic treatment should always be the first choice for the best health and cosmetic results. There are many advantages to saving your natural tooth: efficient chewing; normal biting force so you can continue to eat your favorite foods; maintains a natural appearance; limits the need for more costly, ongoing dental work”.
Tooth Saving Tips
- If you are given a choice between root canal treatment or tooth extraction, always choose the root canal. Dentures, bridges or implants don’t look, feel, or function as well as natural teeth.
- If your dentist recommends tooth extraction, ask whether root canal treatment is an option.
- If your dentist says that an endodontic procedure is not an option, ask why, and request a referral to an endodontist. Endodontists specialize in saving teeth and have at least two years of advanced training in root canal procedures. They use advanced equipment to treat patients quickly and comfortably, diagnosing the condition, and relieving pain.
What to Avoid
- Never choose extraction because you think it will be cheaper or less painful! When a natural tooth is extracted, it must be replaced with an artificial tooth to prevent other teeth from shifting, and to prevent future dental problems. The cost of a denture, bridge or implant, plus the extraction, is higher than the cost of an endodontic procedure that would save the tooth for years to come. Modern techniques and anesthesia make root canal treatment virtually painless. Most dental plans cover endodontic treatment.
- Never choose extraction because you think it will be quicker! Endodontic treatments generally require 1-2 visits lasting less than an hour. An extraction requires one visit, but the denture, bridge or implant will require several additional visits.
Endodontists are our local superheroes that save teeth! Want to learn more about root canal treatment? Visit Phoenix Endodontic Group at www.phoenixendodontist.com.
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!”
