by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Sep 8, 2014 | Endodontics, Phoenix Endodontic Group, Root Canal
There comes a point in almost everyone’s life where they are faced with dental pain sometimes from infection, sometimes from an injury, and sometimes for no specific reason at all. When that happens to you, your best option is to see a dentist that specializes in dealing with pain and infection that come from inside the tooth is an Endodontist.
At Phoenix Endodontic Group, our dentists received specialty training after dental school to learn how to best treat patients that have acute tooth pain. We do not do hygiene, crowns, bridges or other restorations is our focus is on root canals and getting our patients out of pain.
We would like you to know what to expect when you visit our office for the first time. Phoenix Endodontic Group is a paperless office that means you can fill out your registration and health history prior to arriving at our office via our HIPPA compliant, secure website. Because we are not your regular dentist, we need to find out as much about you as we can in terms of your health history, medications taken and prior dental experience.
If you have been referred to Phoenix Endodontic Group, your dentist should have provided a referral form and x-ray of the area to be considered for treatment. We would also need to obtain your dental insurance information (if applicable) so that we can assist you in filing a claim for the office visit.
Each patient is unique and no two root canals are the same. That being said, on your first visit you will always have an x-ray taken by our staff and a consultation by one of our endodontists. After the consultation, if treatment is needed will schedule back to do this on a different day.
Other patients will elect to begin the root canal procedure at this first visit. If treatment is started at the first visit, the goals are to diagnose the problem, open the tooth and remove the nerve (the source of the issue). If the patient has an abscess or is otherwise uncomfortable, medication will be placed inside the tooth and the patient may be prescribed additional medications.
Because Phoenix Endodontic Group is a specialty office, there is no guarantee that root canal treatment will be finished at the first visit, some are. Other root canals require a second visit to finish the appointment is usually two weeks later. The time in between allows the tooth to heal as medication would have been placed inside the tooth at the first visit. Once the patient is asymptomatic, the treatment is completed.
Whether your root canal requires one visit or two, Phoenix Endodontic Group will always provide the highest standards of patient comfort and care found anywhere.
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Sep 4, 2014 | Endodontics, General Information, Patients, Root Canal
When teeth in your mouth start to hurt and cause discomfort (and it happens to just about everyone), you may become faced with a decision to either 1) save your tooth with a root canal and a crown or 2) extract your tooth and do nothing else or 3) extract your tooth and have an implant placed. Let’s look in depth at all of these options.
1) Save Your Tooth – This is our mission at Phoenix Endodontic Group. We believe strongly that a person is much better off with their natural tooth in their mouth than placing a dental implant. Of course there are many factors to consider when making this decision and we feel the patient should always be a part of the decision making process before treatment is rendered. Phoenix Endodontic Group has invested in the latest endodontic technologies which help to make informed decisions about necessary dental treatment.
2) Extract Your Tooth – Sometimes a patient will want to just have the tooth extracted without any further restoration or treatment. This option works for some patients where there still are opposing teeth and chewing and biting will not be compromised by the extraction. Of the three options mentioned, this would of course be the least expensive because no further treatment would be needed and the source of the infection is immediately removed.
3) Have a Dental Implant Placed – Over the last 10 years, dental implants have exploded in popularity as a viable treatment option for patients who have experienced tooth pain and prior endodontic treatment. Phoenix Endodontic Group feels that dental implants have a place in the treatment spectrum, however we have seen many cases where given a little more time the tooth could have been saved with a root canal. We hate to see teeth extracted unnecessarily that could have been saved. Conversely when a tooth is hopelessly cracked or fractured it becomes time for a dental implant.
Here are some of the factors to consider with all three options: which tooth is it?, age of the patient, has the tooth had prior endodontic treatment, how much is the patient willing to invest to save the tooth. In most cases and root canal and final restoration are going to cost considerably less than the cost of a dental implant and restoration.
While no dentist can know for sure just how long a root canal or a dental implant will last (yes, dental implants do in fact fail over time), Phoenix Endodontic Group informs and listens to our patients to determine the right treatment choice for their specific situation. If you are in Phoenix, and need an endodontist “give us a call today” (602) 748-4190.
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Aug 4, 2014 | Blog, Endodontics, Endodontist, Root Canal
Avoidance is a problem that often leads patients to postpone visiting their Phoenix Endodontist. Many have waited too long for their root canal, and are now in major pain. Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen of Phoenix Endodontic Group explains why you should never wait to have a root canal done.
When your dentist has told you that you need a root canal, you may have many emotions and may not take action immediately. Dr. Allen observes a few common reasons people put off their root canal: The three biggest fears of dental treatment are #1- Time (this will take too long), #2 – Pain (I hate going to the dentist, it always makes me hurt), and #3 – Money (patients don’t want to spend their hard earned money on an emergency dental procedure). While all of these reactions are reasonable, delaying the procedure will make things worse.
Your Phoenix Endodontist frequently has a bigger job ahead if you’ve waited to have a root canal. More extensive work may be required, or you may lose the chance to save the tooth altogether. The biggest risk is that a patient can develop an infection that becomes difficult to control. Additionally, waiting too long puts the patient at risk for having to have the tooth extracted. Waiting too long could cause the tooth to be condemned. A tooth with a damaged nerve or deep infection will not get better on its own.
Having a root canal done immediately after being told you need one provides several advantages. When the problem is caught early, it may be resolved more quickly and successfully. You’ll suffer less pain since you’ve dealt with it quickly. You are less likely to need the tooth pulled, which would result in the added expense of bone grafts and tooth implants down the road. You’ll prevent other medical issues that can occur as a result of the infection present in the tooth.
If you are told that you need a root canal, act quickly. Call Dr. Allen, your Phoenix Endodontist, to bring your smile back to life!
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jul 28, 2014 | Blog, Endodontics, Root Canal
Let’s face it, a root canal has been and always will be a much-dreaded procedure. Though the days of root canals being a painful process are long gone, chances are that a person still wishes to avoid the procedure. Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen of Phoenix Endodontic Group performs this effective treatment on a regular basis, and has the following to offer when patients ask how to prevent needing a root canal.
Good dental hygiene and care is the best line of defense when it comes to root canals. It is always suggested that patients brush and floss daily and visit their dentist for regular check-ups both for optimal oral hygiene, and to catch any potential tooth problem in its early stage, Dr. Allen states. Detecting an issue early on can result in a much better chance of saving the tooth. While routine brushing and flossing is a great start, there is no one specific tip that can prevent the need for a patient to have a root canal. The nerves in teeth “go bad” and “die” for different reasons, sometimes with pain and other symptoms and other times with no symptoms at all, says Dr. Allen.
If your general dentist has detected a problem, you may wonder if there is an alternative to a root canal. In lieu of a root canal to treat tooth pain and infection, a patient can elect to have their tooth extracted, place a bone graft and then a dental implant (which then has to be restored), Dr. Allen advises. “If you took a poll, most patients would opt to keep their natural teeth as long as possible”, she continues.
Today’s root canals are very different from stories you’ve heard in the past. Advances in technology and treatment methods over the years mean less stress and pain. Most patients report that a root canal is no more uncomfortable than a filling, and recovery time is minimal.
For the best chance of success with your root canal, look to a skillful Endodontist like Dr. Allen at Phoenix Endodontic Group. In her expert hands, you will be out of pain and smiling again in no time!
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jun 9, 2014 | Blog, Endodontics, Endodontist, Featured, Root Canal
Chances are that most adults know of root canal treatment, but may not know what it involves. Root canal therapy is an extremely effective way to repair cracked or decaying teeth and prevent tooth loss. Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen of Phoenix Endodontic Group explains how this procedure can help you restore a bad tooth and why you shouldn’t be fearful of a root canal.
Gone are the days when root canal treatment was a major ordeal that left a patient in pain. With today’s methods and technology, many patients report minimal discomfort and compare it to having a filling done.
During the procedure, the infected pulp of the tooth is removed, the inside cleaned thoroughly, and the tooth refilled. This process restores the structure of the tooth. Any discomfort from the repair is mild and can be easily managed by using over the counter pain medication. As well, the materials used in the procedure have changed over the years. At one point in time, the material used to fill the roots was silver. Now it is gutta percha with antibacterial sealer, says Dr. Allen.
With time and experience, Endodontists have developed best practices to minimize complications, especially for patients who have severe symptoms or an unusual anatomy. We now use a rubber dam screen for all root canal procedures. This is to isolate the tooth so no bacteria from saliva can get in the tooth, as well as keep all instruments and disinfectants from falling into the mouth and possibly down the throat, Dr. Allen mentions.
Additionally, microscopes with optimal lighting are used to clean out the tooth roots more thoroughly, she states. All of these accumulated improvements equate to a better outcome, less risk of complications, improved comfort, and a great likelihood that your root canal treatment will be successful.
Once you’ve noticed a problem, it’s important to get treatment right away. Once the tooth has irreversible pulpitis or necrosis, the problem will not go away on its own, Dr. Allen says. Acting quickly improves your odds of a successful repair. For additional questions on root canal treatment or to schedule your appointment, contact Phoenix Endodontic Group today!
by Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen | Jun 2, 2014 | Blog, Endodontics, Root Canal
A root canal treatment is a very effective way to save a damaged tooth, according to Jacqueline S. Allen, D.D.S., M.S. of Phoenix Endodontic Group. How do you know if you may need the procedure? The answer is sometimes very obvious!
Your tooth is composed of a hard shell (enamel), a soft inner material (pulp), many nerves and blood vessels, and the tooth’s root, which extends into the gums. Generally the tooth’s exterior protects the vulnerable insides from harm but occasionally a breach occurs.
A crack or chip, a cavity, dental disease, and decay can strike, allowing bacteria to invade the interior of the tooth. When this occurs, symptoms usually tell the tale. Temperature sensitivity, a pimple forming on the side of the tooth, pain when biting, swelling, throbbing, and waking up at night with tooth pain are all signs you may need a root canal, says Dr. Allen. You may not see visible changes, but chances are good that you’ll be experiencing the problem in other ways.
Occasionally a patient comes to an Endodontist with no outward symptoms but the damage is already significant. This is a great example of why seeing your family dentist for regular checkups is very important for early identification of trouble. By performing twice-yearly exams including bite-wing x-rays, your dentist should be able to see warning signs in their infancy and refer you to Dr. Allen’s office for treatment.
Many people have avoidance when it comes to tooth trouble, but this behavior can only make things worse. The tooth will not recover on its own once the decay has begun to destroy the tooth, and Pain, swelling, and possible loss of the tooth is the cost of delaying treatment, Dr. Allen states. The root canal procedure may need to be more extensive if decay is allowed to progress, so getting in quickly for treatment is really your best plan of attack.
If you’ve been suffering with tooth pain or other symptoms, call Phoenix Endodontic Group to schedule your appointment with Dr. Allen. Under her expert care, your tooth will be as good as new!
