Dentistry

September 21, 2022 By Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen

Factors to Consider Before Getting Dental Implants

If you have a failing tooth (or teeth), you may be wondering if a dental implant might be a workable solution for you. Implants take the place of your natural teeth. They are anchored to your jawbone, and topped with an artificial tooth. Dental implants have a similar success rate to root canals, when performed by a dentist or endodontist with significant experience doing them. They are not, however, the ideal solution for every patient.

Let’s take a look at some factors to consider before getting a dental implant.

What Important Factors Should I Consider Before Getting A Dental Implant?

Are there less invasive options that could save the tooth? In some cases, a tooth that is threatened by infection, decay, or advanced gum disease may be able to be saved. Root canal treatment and periodontal (gum) procedures may be solid alternatives; your dental provider will be able to discuss their potential to help you.
Have I discussed my health conditions with my provider? The endodontist or implantologist who performs your dental implant will conduct a thorough examination, and take images of your teeth. They will also ask about your medical history. You should discuss any serious conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. You should also let your provider know if you’re a heavy smoker or if you’ve had radiation therapy to your head or neck.
Will I need additional procedures to prepare for my dental implant? Depending on your individual circumstances, you may need a sinus lift, tooth extraction or removal of parts of your damaged tooth, bone augmentation, gum treatment, or other procedures to prepare for your dental implant. Your provider can explain the need for each procedure and how it fits in your treatment timeline.
Will I have to commit to multiple appointments over a number of months to complete the dental implant process? Depending on the approach that your provider recommends, you may need to come to a number of appointments to plan, prepare for, and undergo all the procedures that complete your dental implant. Discuss any scheduling constraints with your dental professional and their staff.

“To ensure that a dental implant is the right approach to improve your oral health, our staff will discuss all relevant factors impacting the process before treatment begins,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “This ensures your treatment team has all the information needed to provide excellent treatment. It also gives peace of mind that you are making the right choice.”

February 22, 2022 By Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen

What are the 3 Types of Dental Implants?

When you are missing or have failing natural teeth, you may wonder if your only option is to live with this condition. You could get dentures, but maybe you worry they won’t be compatible with your lifestyle, or take too much effort.

Dental implants are the other common solution to natural tooth loss. They are not for everyone, but different types of implants exist for different treatment challenges. Here’s a quick guide to three common types of dental implants, plus one more also gaining popularity.

Understanding The Three Types Of Dental Implants

Endosteal Implants – These are the most commonly used dental implants, one of two types recommended by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. A titanium cylinder (screw) or blade is placed in the jawbone, in the socket of the missing tooth. Endosteal dental implants take four to six weeks to heal, while the implant bonds to the bone through a process called osseointegration. After the healing is complete, an abutment is placed where the new tooth is placed securely on top of it.

Subperiosteal Implants – These implants are an alternative for patients who are not good candidates for the endosteal dental implant procedure. Instead of being placed directly into the jawbone, they are placed between your jawbone and your gum tissue. They can work well for patients who don’t want to use bone augmentation to strengthen their jawbone, or whose jaw simply won’t support the surgery for endosteal dental implants.

All-On-4® – For patients missing an entire arch (upper or lower) of teeth, this implant approach provides a cost-effective alternative to replacing each tooth individually.

During an All-on-4® dental implant procedure, four angled titanium implants are placed in your mouth for each arch of missing natural teeth. You may be provided a special set of abutments and temporary overdentures if your dental provider has elected to do a “teeth in a day” approach. You will eat a modified diet for up to six months while osseointegration is taking place. Once that process is complete, you’ll receive a permanent set of overdentures and can return to eating all the foods you love.

Another new type of popular dental implant is called the Mini-Dental Implant (MDI). An MDI is primarily used to stabilize a lower denture. It is about the width of a toothpick and consists of a socket, ball, and a rubber ring on the end. This type of implant is less invasive, requires less healing time, and generally lasts for many years, depending on the hygiene regimen and other factors for individual candidates for this procedure.

“Dental professionals who provide dental implants have a number of options to fit a variety of patient treatment scenarios,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Our practice is happy to discuss which type of dental implant holds the greatest chance of providing a permanent solution for your natural tooth loss.”

December 22, 2019 By Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen

How Soon After Tooth Extraction Can You Have a Dental Implant?

While it’s often possible to save an injured or infected tooth, sometimes extraction is the best option. In those cases, it is important to replace the tooth as soon as possible with a dental implant. If gaps from extracted teeth are left as is, the interaction between the remaining teeth, the jawbone, and gums is disrupted. The jaw can lose bone density, causing it to shrink. Gums can pull away from the remaining teeth, and the teeth may loosen and move into the gap left by the extraction.

How Soon Can I Have A Dental Implant After A Tooth Is Removed?

The answer to how long you will have to wait for a dental implant after a tooth extraction – and how long the implant process will take to complete – depends largely on where the extracted tooth was located and the general state of your oral health.

Front teeth that had no infection at the time of extraction and had small roots (such as an incisor or canine) may be able to receive the dental implant the day that the tooth is removed. A crown can be placed on top of the implant in a few months, after the implant has integrated into the jaw bone. If the tooth in question was a back tooth, or had longer roots, it may be necessary to wait two or three months after extraction to place the dental implant. If the extracted tooth was infected, this can delay the placement of the dental implant even longer, in order to allow the site of the extraction to heal fully.

Bone loss in the jaw can cause a cascade of problems after a tooth is extracted, and if a patient’s bone density at the site of the extraction is low enough, they will likely require a bone graft. Sometimes the amount of bone to be grafted is significant enough that it will require several months for the graft to be integrated into the jaw bone. At other times, the amount to be grafted is small enough that it can be done at the same time the implant is placed.

“When preparing to provide a dental implant, it is important not to rush to place the implant,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, an endodontist practicing with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Our dental specialists can conduct a thorough examination and discuss the factors that will influence the timeline of your dental implant process.”

August 19, 2019 By Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen

Are Dental Implants Safe?

Risk management is a key part of our everyday lives. When it comes to managing dental health, patients want to be sure that a recommended procedure is safe as well as effective. In the past couple of decades, dental implants have become a popular option for replacing missing or failing teeth. Many people, though, question whether implants are the best choice for their oral health challenges.

While dental implants are not the right choice for every individual, they are in many cases a safe, effective restoration. Their record for safety extends beyond the immediate period after the implantation and has been well-documented for patients with a variety of oral health situations.

Factors That Make Dental Implants A Safe Choice

Dental implants are unlikely to impact the rest of your mouth. When only one or a few teeth are failing, fixed bridges may be suggested as an alternative to an implant. However, unlike a bridge, dental implants do not require the adjacent natural teeth to be altered. Implants are impervious to tooth decay. They are also unlikely to cause gum disease if a patient follows a normal daily oral health care regimen.
Dental implants have proven to be safe for most adults who can undergo an extraction or other oral surgical procedures. Two key factors in determining if dental implant surgery is appropriate are gum health and the amount of bone density in the jaw. If a candidate for dental implants has healthy gums, has adequate bone density, and lacks any serious underlying systemic health condition, the implant procedure is usually considered safe.
Dental implants, like root canals, have a very high long-term success rate. Longitudinal studies have shown that dental implants have a success rate of around 98 percent. What this means is that if you take care of your dental implant properly, it could last for decades, if not the rest of your life.

“When evaluating a patient to receive a dental implant, our practice considers many factors. When the circumstances are right, implants are a safe choice to replace missing or failing teeth,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, an endodontist practicing at the Phoenix Endodontic Group.

June 25, 2019 By Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen

Is It Painful To Get A Dental Implant?

As more people consider dental implants when natural teeth cannot be saved, some patients may wonder what level of discomfort to expect. This is a complex question, as some people need tooth extractions, sinus lifts, or bone grafts in conjunction with a dental implant. However, there are some general guidelines to how much pain is “normal” when you have a dental implant, and what kind of pain warrants a call to your dentist or endodontist.

When You Might Experience Pain During The Dental Implant Process

During the implant procedure itself: This is possible, but not common, because your dentist will use the best type of anesthesia for your circumstances. This can include heavy local anesthesia and/or some type of sedation.
After getting a dental implant: Once the anesthesia wears off, it is normal to experience swelling for the first three to four days after your operation and some pain may remain for as long as 7-10 days.
If you had teeth extracted, a bone graft, or a sinus lift with your dental implant: All of these procedures can result in additional discomfort.
If you experience complications during the healing process: If your post-op swelling goes away and then returns accompanied by pain, this may indicate you have an infection. Call your implant surgeon or endodontist – they may ask you return to be examined or may write you a prescription for an antibiotic.

Things You Can Do To Reduce Post-Operative Pain

Take pain relievers as prescribed. Your dental implant provider will likely send you home with a prescription for ibuprofen or another pain reliever.
Reduce swelling and pain with cold packs. Apply a cold pack or even a bag of frozen peas to the area of your cheek over the implant site. Avoid skin irritation by wrapping the cold pack in a thin cotton washcloth.
Bathe the gums covering your implant with warm salt water. Do not swish! Hold the water in your mouth near the implant site, then spit it out gently. Repeat several times in a row, every few hours, for the first one to three days after your surgery.

“Dental implants can be a safe, durable, permanent solution for improving your oral health,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, an endodontist practicing at the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Our staff can provide you with a comprehensive overview of how we can work together to minimize your pain during and after the implant surgery.”

November 28, 2018 By Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen

Am I A Good Candidate For A Dental Implant?

Dental patients with teeth that are seriously compromised by illness, injury, or decay are usually aware that extraction by itself is rarely the best option. If you are experiencing serious tooth trouble, you may be wondering whether a root canal or a dental implant would be the better solution.

At Phoenix Endodontic Group, our practice is dedicated to saving natural teeth through root canal treatments and related procedures. However, there are times when a tooth simply cannot be saved through endodontic treatment. When that is the case, our practice may recommend a dental implant for the patient.

Who Is A Good Candidate For A Dental Implant?

A patient who has a lower level of dental anxiety or phobia. Tooth extraction and implant surgery are more complex procedures than root canal treatment. If anxiety issues do exist, they should be discussed during preparation for the implant. We can develop a care plan for patients experiencing dental anxiety.
A patient with strong periodontal (gum) health. By the time the “root canal or dental implant” crossroads has been reached, many patients already are struggling with advanced gum disease, but the healthier the gums are, the greater the likelihood the procedure will go smoothly.
A patient who has not experienced significant bone loss in the jaw. Bone grafts can be done to strengthen a jaw before it receives an implant, but this may result in an additional procedure.
A patient who can commit to a lengthy implantation/recovery process. Traditional dental implants require several months to complete. The portion of the implant inserted into the jaw must be allowed to integrate with the bone before placement of an artificial tooth is possible.

“Dental implants and root canals both have high levels of success and patient satisfaction,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, an endodontist who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Your dental team can determine which treatment route is better for your individual circumstances.”

June 25, 2018 By Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen

How Common Is It To Get A Root Canal?

If your general dentist has recommended that you call an endodontic provider about having a root canal performed, you’re far from alone. The American Association of Endodontists reports that more than 15 million root canals are performed every year – that’s more than 41,000 root canals per DAY.

Why is this procedure done so often to treat an injured or infected natural tooth? There are several reasons why root canals have become a treatment of choice.

Why Is A Root Canal Being Recommended For Me?

Your dentist or endodontist has determined your natural tooth can be saved. With more than three-quarters of all Americans indicating a preference for saving a tooth over replacing it with an implant, your provider will likely lean in the direction of seeing if salvaging the tooth is possible with a root canal treatment.
Root canal success rates are comparable with those of dental implants. In both situations, the treatments are successful more than 90 percent of the time.
Modern root canals are safe, effective and cause little discomfort. Many times, patients come to an endodontist with an infected tooth that has damaged tissues that are causing discomfort. A root canal actually alleviates this discomfort, rather than causing more. Most patients experience about as much discomfort during a root canal as they would getting a cavity filled.
Nothing can replace the look or function of a natural tooth. Artificial restorations such as dental implants have their advantages, but retaining a natural tooth through a root canal can ensure the tooth stays in your mouth for a lifetime.

“Root canals are neither exotic nor risky,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Endodontists perform this health-enhancing procedure on a daily basis and can make your experience comfortable and stress-free.”

April 17, 2018 By Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen

Why Did My Dentist Refer Me to an Endodontist?

Many of us love a good mystery novel or television show, but few people enjoy mysteries that revolve around our teeth. If you went to your general dentist to resolve a nagging dental issue, you may be wondering why he or she sent you to an endodontist for further examination and treatment.

Endodontists are dental specialists who focus on treating diseases of the dental pulp. They are experts in restoring infected or injured natural teeth to health. The procedures that they perform for patients also make them quite knowledgeable about reducing and eliminating dental pain.

If your dentist has referred you to an endodontist, here are some of the most common reasons he or she may have done so.

Top Reasons For Referral To An Endodontist

Your dentist suspects that you need a root canal. If you have the symptoms of infected tooth pulp, your dentist will most likely want the endodontist to conduct an examination and potentially perform a root canal.
Your dentist may want to have the endodontist examine a previous root canal. Root canal treatments, when followed by the addition of a dental crown on top, have success rates that exceed 90 percent. But root canals can fail, and when they do, an endodontist is the professional most experienced in performing a root canal retreatment.
You may have a cracked tooth. Teeth cracks can let in bacterial infection that can damage the tooth’s pulp. In many cases, root canals performed by an endodontist are the only thing that can preserve a natural tooth that has suffered a crack.
You may need an apicoectomy. If a previous root canal has failed, the damaged tooth may need an apicoectomy, which fills and seals the root tip of the tooth from the root end of the tooth (rather than from the crown end of the tooth, as in a typical root canal).

“Dentists and endodontists work together as a team to keep your natural teeth healthy and intact,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “If you have any questions about your referral, let our office know and we will provide a detailed explanation of your condition and your options for treatment.”

January 17, 2018 By Dr. Susan Wood

Foundation Outreach Program Offers Help in Jamaica

On October 29, 2017, three volunteers from the Foundation for Endodontics returned from a mission trip to Treasure Beach, Jamaica, as part of a partnership with Henry Schein Cares Foundation.

Two endodontic residents, Drs. Carolyn A. Kilbride from the University of Connecticut and Lauren E. Marzouca from Tufts University, were accompanied by Foundation Trustee and practicing endodontist, Dr. Susan L. Wood. This mission trip is the sixth for the Foundation Outreach Program, which launched in early 2016. On every trip, the Foundation team is comprised of two endodontic residents and one practicing doctor.

The Foundation team joins other teams of general dentists and predoctoral students. Together, the respective teams provide much-needed but scarcely available dental and endodontic care at the Helping Hands Clinic, established by the Christian Dental Society in 2006.

The Helping Hands Clinic is home to collaboration, generosity and hope. Not only are teams of dental professionals of all specialties teaming up to provide care; foundations and corporations are also collaborating to bring the highest standard of care to the rural community of Treasure Beach. The Henry Schein Cares Foundation continues to support the mission trips as part of a $100,000, five-year pledge to the Outreach Program. As part of the generous commitment, 40 percent of the annual donation consists of donated equipment. Seiler Instruments and Mfg, Co. joined the roster of supporters in October 2016 when they graciously agreed to lend a microscope to the endodontic team to use in Treasure Beach.

On this trip alone, the volunteers treated 477 patients and performed 43 root canals. The Foundation for Endodontics’ team of volunteers also performed the clinic’s first ever apicoectomy when it became apparent that a traditional, nonsurgical root canal could not save the patient’s tooth. All of the services provided equates to an estimated total of $107,000 in care. Behind those impressive numbers, however, are the individual lives impacted by the Foundation’s important outreach work. Drs. Kilbride, Marzouca and Wood provided the highest levels of endodontic care to patients who continue to benefit from the care they receive. A healthy mouth and natural teeth provide confidence, elevated employability and better overall health.

Dr. Kilbride described that one of her patients, a local 15-year-old girl, came to Helping Hands Clinic with intense pain that she’d been experiencing for months. The young patient had walked all the way to the clinic for treatment, and walked back the next day to give Foundation volunteers a proper thank-you. When thanking them, she expressed how dramatically better she felt. She shared with them her interest in attending college in the United States after graduating high school.

On these mission trips, endodontic residents are able to learn from one another and the practicing endodontist accompanying them, and they’re able to educate the residents of Treasure Beach about the value and importance of saving natural teeth. Treasure Beach residents are now known to come to Helping Hands clinic inquiring about root canals, rather than requesting an extraction. Many of the other dental professionals and predoctoral students who share space with the Foundation team in Jamaica report that they’re appreciative of the exposure to endodontic techniques, something they have limited opportunity to study.

All three of the October 2017 mission trip volunteers agreed that the week-long experience was one they’ll never forget. Drs. Kilbride, Marzouca and Wood returned with happy photos of patients treated, connections made with other dental professionals and memories of a beautiful place.

POSTED IN AAE FOUNDATION

July 10, 2017 By Dr. Susan Wood

What is Root Resorption?

The human body is an amazing organism. It experiences a variety of physical phenomena throughout one’s lifespan in order to keep us on a proper developmental pathway. One phenomenon that is completely normal in childhood is root resorption in the primary teeth. Our “baby teeth” lose their roots, which is why they eventually fall out to make room for our adult teeth.

However, once we have all of our adult teeth, root resorption becomes an unexpected and abnormal process. In some cases of dental resorption a patient can experience pain, numbness, and discomfort, in addition to changes in the shape and size of the teeth; however, often the symptoms can be far more subtle.

Here’s a quick list of things to know about root resorption so that you and your Phoenix endodontist can ensure your natural teeth remain healthy and functional.

How to avoid root resorption problems

Understand how root resorption can happen. Some causes of dental resorption include excessive orthodontic force being used on teeth, trauma to a tooth that damages the periodontal ligament, and conditions such as bruxism (grinding one’s teeth).
Understand how root resorption is diagnosed. If root resorption is suspected, your Phoenix endodontist or another dental specialist can use radiographs, photos, x-rays, and diagnostic models to determine how far the resorption has progressed and how severely your natural tooth has been impacted.
Understand how root resorption is treated. If the resorption activity is primarily occurring on the exterior of the tooth, single-tooth orthodontic or periodontal treatments may help. However, more advanced cases that involve the tooth pulp often require your Phoenix endodontist to perform a root canal to try to save the natural tooth.

“Root resorption allows our baby teeth to make way for our adult teeth, but after that, it is considered abnormal,” says Dr. Susan L. Wood, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “If you suspect you have this condition, make an appointment with your Phoenix endodontist as soon as possible.”