by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jul 13, 2015 | Blog, Endodontics, Root Canal
Because a root canal is a procedure that may involve treatment by a dental specialist, it is understandable that dental patients might want to recognize the symptoms that indicate if they need this procedure. Before discussing the symptoms, however, it’s important to know what a root canal is.
Beneath the enamel and dentin layers of our teeth lies a chamber filled with pulp, which contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. This canal can become inflamed or infected due to deep decay, a crack or chip in the tooth, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or because the tooth is injured. An endodontist cleans out the root canal during treatment and fills it with a sealant. A crown or other protective restoration is usually the final step to treat the tooth.
Dr. Allenof the Phoenix Endodontic Group advises that symptoms indicating a root canal is necessary are quite varied. “There are no typical symptoms associated with root canal disease,” she says. “When there are symptoms, they can range from temperature (hot or cold) sensitivity to biting pressure to spontaneous pain. At times, there are no symptoms associated with root canal disease.”
Dr. Allen clarified that the sensitivity to hot or cold in a tooth could persist after the stimulus is removed. Also, other significant symptoms indicating infection in a tooth’s roots can include the presence of a recurring pimple on the gums or a darkening of the tooth’s appearance.
Dr. Allen added that, because so often there are no symptoms indicating a root canal is needed, it is critical to have regular dental checkups, so that your general dentist can look for hidden signs of infection or inflammation. “If a diseased tooth doesn’t receive a root canal treatment, the patient could develop pain and infection, and without treatment, they could eventually lose the tooth,” she says.
For more information on root canals contact Phoenix Endodontic Group at 602-748-4190.
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jun 9, 2015 | Blog, Endodontics, Root Canal
While today’s root canals have an extremely high success rate and have very low levels of discomfort, there are things you can do to lessen the likelihood that you will ever need to be treated by an endodontist and have a root canal. Dr. Allen, an endodontist at Phoenix Endondontic Group, recently shared three tips that can help keep your teeth healthy and avoid the need for a root canal.
How to prevent a root canal
- Brush and floss daily. Your oral health regimen is your best line of defense against tooth decay, which can fuel infection inside your tooth and cause a root canal treatment to be needed.
- Visit your dentist regularly. Dr. Allen noted that a significant advantage of visiting a general dentist for a checkup is the comprehensive examination that is conducted. The images taken of your teeth via X-ray or radiograph can show hidden infection or damage to your teeth, and the prophylactic cleaning helps reduce plaque, which reduces the chance of a tooth becoming infected.
- Protect your teeth from dental injuries. One common route to the need for a root canal is for a tooth to become cracked or chipped, then infected. Wear a mouth guard if you play contact sports, use a night mouth guard while sleeping if you experience bruxism (teeth grinding), and use care when eating hard or crunchy foods.
Dr. Allen concluded, “Because root canal therapy can be necessary for a host of reasons, there sometimes is no way to prevent one. However, regular checkups and radiographs at your general dentist’s office can catch some of those reasons, like decay or cracks, before they become an issue.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | May 18, 2015 | Blog, Endodontics, Root Canal
A root canal is a dental procedure done in order to save a tooth that has become decayed or infected. While some discomfort is possible after a root canal, newer materials, better magnification and advanced tools and techniques have led to better treatment outcomes and less discomfort. Dr. Allen of the Phoenix Endodontic Group recently shared some tips designed to make your post-treatment recovery period as pleasant as possible.
- Know what to expect: Often, on the first day after a root canal procedure, you may experience some minor gum discomfort stemming from the rubber dam used to isolate the tooth undergoing the procedure. Also, the tooth being treated may itself be a little sensitive. In both cases, this discomfort can usually be easily controlled with an over-the-counter analgesic.
- Post-treatment considerations: It can be useful (not to mention reassuring) to understand how the healing process typically unfolds after a root canal A study conducted in 2008 noted that only about 8 percent of patients experienced a “flare-up” after their root canal, which was defined as development of discomfort or swelling after a scheduled root canal appointment that necessitated an unscheduled dental visit for attention.
- Know how to care for your teeth post-treatment: Eat gently and avoid crunchy foods until your tooth is completely rebuilt (more on that in a moment). Continue to brush and floss, but not so vigorously that the root canal’s temporary filling is compromised.
- Communicate with your endodontist: Contact your endodontist right away if you develop any of the following symptoms: a visible swelling inside or outside of your mouth; an allergic reaction to medication that involves a rash, hives or itching; a return of the original symptoms in the tooth; or if your bite feels uneven.
A root canal is just the first step in saving your tooth. Discuss with your endodontist which final restoration option will be used, and make sure you’re clear about the timeline for returning to finish your treatment.
Dr. Allen says, “Your endodontist is your partner in minimizing your discomfort after your root canal, and in ensuring your treatment is ultimately successful.”
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Mar 23, 2015 | Blog, Endodontics, Phoenix Endodontic Group, Root Canal
Root canal treatment has come a long way since its earliest days in the 17th century. Technology and treatment methods have advanced so much that root canals can be completed in mere hours with little discomfort. Dr. Allen of Phoenix Endodontic Group provides some information on this tooth-saving procedure. Just in time for Root Canal Awareness Week!
Unpleasant root canals are a thing of the past thanks to gifted Endodontists, new materials, better magnification and advanced tools and techniques. During treatment, your doctor will x-ray or scan the troublemaking tooth to determine a course of action. The infected pulp inside the tooth will be completely removed and the tooth cleaned thoroughly. To replace the compromised pulp, the tooth is refilled using a special material called gutta percha and sealed. The result is a shining tooth and a smiling patient!
Expert endodontists such as Dr. Allen are highly trained in the art of saving infected teeth and are well informed on the best methods of treatment. Dr. Allen is excited about the future of the field, especially as new technologies and techniques make their way into the spotlight. Pulpal regeneration (basically bringing a dead tooth back to life) is a new and exciting advancement in endodontics, Dr. Susan says. While many damaged teeth can be saved today with timely attention, this type of technology could boost that success ratio even higher.
For those patients who are nervous about dental or medical procedures, there are multiple solutions. These can range from something as simple as nitrous oxide during the procedure, to a pre-appointment anxiolysis medicine, all the way to light IV sedation depending on the level of anxiety, Dr. Allenadvises.
The best strategy for a successful root canal is to treat it promptly. Seeing your general dentist on schedule will help identify problems that are in early development, and visiting Dr. Allen will ensure that you receive the most skilled treatment possible.
For more information about Root Canal Awareness Week or other dental questions, talk to the friendly and knowledgeable staff at Phoenix Endodontic Group!
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Dec 15, 2014 | Blog, Endodontics, Root Canal
Patients of many ages and types come to Phoenix Endodontic Group with tooth trouble and may need a root canal. In the interest of prevention, you may wish to know a little more about common demographics and triggers that lead to the need for this treatment.
Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen offers the following about age groups and root canals: A root canal can happen at any age. It is primarily dictated by decay and the amount of dental work on one tooth. Whether young or old, if tooth decay gets close to the pulp complex, irreversible pulpitis can occur. Softer diets including more refined carbs/sugars can increase caries. This is seen in all age groups.
The most common patient demographic for a root canal is over forty, usually due to large amount of dental work done to one tooth, Dr. Allen says. She gives the example of vehicle tires that eventually require replacement after accumulating many miles. Crowns and fillings wear with chewing, personal habits or go bad due to recurrent decay. The more work, the more irritation to the pulp complex. The more irritation and the older we are, the more likely inflammation of the pulp complex is irreversible, states Dr. Allen.
In addition to diet and age, Dr. Allen says Genetics can play a role if there is no enamel development of teeth, or immune system problems. Dry mouth (Sjogrens) can create an increase of dental caries, and increase the likelihood of needing root canal therapy.
How can you prevent needing a root canal? Your best chance is by taking proper care of your teeth. Eat a sensible diet that is low in sugar. Avoid chewing on hard objects that can crack teeth and allow infection to invade. Brush, floss, and see your dentist regularly. Your twice-yearly dental visit can identify problems early on, potentially giving you more treatment options.
You may not avoid the need for a root canal, but Dr. Allen at Phoenix Endodontic Group will take expert care of you should that need arise!
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Sep 22, 2014 | Blog, Endodontics, Root Canal
Root canal pain is a type of pain in its own special category of misery. This agony sends many patients to Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen of Phoenix Endodontic Group for help. Here’s what you should know about this problem and how Dr. Allen can solve it!
Even patients in excellent dental health could experience a root canal problem. Imagine biting down on a piece of ice and accidentally cracking your tooth. The nerve in the tooth becomes inflamed and unhappy, letting you know about the problem with intense pain. This situation is made worse if infection sets in by way of the crack, which may be unnoticeable. Expect Throbbing, aching, dull, or intense pain, according to Dr. Allen.
Another contributor to root canal pain is decay, which again may not be obvious to the patient. As a tooth decays, bacteria grows and eventually will cause the tooth’s inner pulp to be infected. Swelling may occur throughout the mouth and jaw and could even include your face and neck. Forget about sleeping through the night or wishing to chew anything firmer than a banana once the issue has progressed this far.
Root canal pain can result from a variety of reasons but in general it is from an inflamed nerve inside of the tooth or a dental pulp abscess (which is a dead nerve). One is inflammation and the other is infection, says Dr. Allen.
The good news is that Dr. Allen can make this pain a very temporary situation through advanced technology and modern root canal treatment. The inner part of the tooth must be thoroughly cleaned and all infected tissue removed. The tooth will then be filled with a durable material called gutta percha. Sealing the tooth follows, and the process is completed with the installation of a crown. Before you know it, you are pain-free and your smile is dazzling!
The best prevention for dental issues is a routine exam. Should a problem be discovered or you experience the type of sudden injury described above, Dr. Allen and Phoenix Endodontic Group are well equipped to get you back to smiling!
