Endodontics – Page 2

March 17, 2020 By Dr. Susan Wood Leave a Comment

Covid-19 Update

With the recent news surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we wanted to reach out and share precautions that are being taken for the health of our patients and staff.

Phoenix Endodontic Group is open for regular business, with normal hours. While there are currently no plans to alter hours, we will be sure to keep you informed of any changes. We look forward to welcoming you to our office, where there is no higher priority than health and safety.

The latest recommendations from the American Dental Association recommend Dentists postpone elective procedures for dental patients during the next three weeks. Phoenix Endodontic Group is an emergency based practice and we are pleased to welcome your patients that are in pain.

Our team is well prepared to care for patients in the safest manner possible. As part of our standard practice we use rubber dams during our endodontic procedures. The rubber dam has evolved from a system that was designed to isolate teeth to one of sophistication for the ultimate protection of both patient and clinician and is mandatory in root canal treatment. Salient advantages of using rubber dam in endodontics include patient protection from aspiration of endodontic instruments, tooth debris, medicaments, and irrigating solutions.

The rubber dam reduces the cross-contamination of the root canal system, and it also proves an excellent barrier to the potential spread of infection by keeping saliva out of the working zone so oral bacteria and viruses (such as the Novel Coronavirus COVID-19) are not aerosolized during the procedure. As a result, the placement of the rubber dam is considered the standard of care by professional organizations.

While the prevalence of the virus in our community is low at this time, our leadership team is staying up to date on public health recommendations and announcements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the Arizona Department of Health Services, and other leading health organizations.

In support of the health and well-being of patients and staff, we are currently taking many precautions, including:

Increased frequency of disinfecting high-touch areas
Staff education and ongoing monitoring of CDC guidelines
CDC-recommended general hygiene reminders posted in restrooms and other spaces

To prevent the spread of illness and align with CDC recommendations, we urge you to stay home when you are feeling sick.

For the most up to date information regarding Coronavirus symptoms, prevention and treatment, and frequently asked questions, we recommend the following websites:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Arizona Department of Health Services

World Health Organization

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your appointment or if you will not be able to keep your scheduled appointment due to illness, please contact our office at 602-242-4745 to speak with a team member.

Phoenix Endodontic Group remains open daily and we look forward to seeing you at your appointment. Be assured that the well-being of our patients and community is of utmost importance to us.

Wishing you all good health,

Jacqueline S. Allen
Jacqueline S. Allen, D.D.S., M.S.

Susan L. Wood
Susan L. Wood, D.D.S
Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics

January 22, 2020 By Dr. Susan Wood Leave a Comment

Why Do Root Canals Take 2 Visits?

Root canal treatments can make it possible to save natural teeth in which the nerves and blood vessels comprising the dental pulp have been damaged by injury or infection. While more and more Americans are seeing root canals as the treatment of choice for saving teeth, many potential root canal patients still have questions about the procedure and how it actually works.

Most root canals will require at least two visits. The exact number of visits to complete the procedure and ensure its success depends on your situation and its complications. Here’s a brief overview of what may happen during each step of the process.

Why Root Canals Require Multiple Visits

First Visit: Your endodontist will take X-rays to examine the state of the tooth. They will numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic. A dental dam will be placed to keep the tooth dry and free of salvia. Next, they will drill an access hole in the biting surface of the tooth to access the pulp. The remainder of the first visit typically focuses on cleaning the canals with special tools. These tools scrape pulp and infected materials away from the canal walls. Periodically during the procedure, the endodontist will flush the canals with a cleansing solution to remove debris.

Many endodontists wait up to a week to finish the root canal. If your tooth was infected, they may treat you with medication. Before you leave, they will place a temporary filling to keep out contaminants. Their office will also confirm your next appointment.

Second Visit: During the second visit, the endodontist fills the canals being treated with a biocompatible material, usually gutta-percha. The access hole that was created is covered with a permanent filling.

Later Visits: Sometimes, you will need to schedule additional appointments if the tooth requiring treatment has an active infection at the time of your first visit, or if you have a condition such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Also, if your tooth sustained structural damage from the infection, decay, or injury that led to the need for a root canal, your endodontist may recommend scheduling a separate appointment with your regular dentist to place a crown on the tooth for additional protection.

“Root canals can take two or more steps to complete, but following through on all the steps increases the chances that your root canal will preserve your natural tooth for a lifetime,” says Dr. Susan L. Wood, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “If you have an injured tooth, call us today to see if a root canal can help.”

October 25, 2019 By Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen Leave a Comment

Introducing The Wand™ Dental Technology To Our Practice

Dental patients everywhere have something in common. No one enjoys shots. Often, it takes more than one injection to numb an area. It’s almost worse than the procedure itself! And when the procedure is done, you’re left with numbness spread throughout your mouth. It’s an unpleasant process, to say the least.

Our office has resolved these problems with the use of The Wand™, a new dental technology that enables us to provide anesthesia with little or no discomfort. With The Wand ™, we have control over the flow and delivery of anesthesia, plus this unique dental technology pinpoints intraligamentary tissue to help us identify the precise location for administering anesthesia.

The Wand™ : A Powerful Dental Technology Breakthrough

The Wand’s precise control allows for “single tooth anesthesia” (STA). You’re spared an entire numb mouth in favor of one numbed tooth. STA makes it easier to return to work comfortably, with no worries about talking, eating, or drinking. STA also means bilateral work on your mouth can be done on the same day.
It doesn’t look scary. For patients with a fear of needles or of dentistry, this matters a lot. The Wand™ has a benign modern shape and is very non-threatening. The needle is a very small one in the tip of the device.
It’s almost completely painless. This new dental technology’s precise control results in administration of the correct amount of anesthesia for the tissue, and many patients report The Wand™ makes the delivery of the anesthesia almost painless.
It allows smile-line access. If your dentist is doing work that requires access to your smile line, this new dental technology makes it easy.

“Let us show you how our office can use new dental technology like The Wand™ to make your root canal or other procedure a more pain-free experience,” says Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, endodontist at the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “The Wand™ makes it possible for us to give our patients a better experience with less pain and anxiety, and we’re pleased to offer it as a regular part of our practice.”

September 20, 2019 By Dr. Susan Wood Leave a Comment

Do Root Canals Cause Health Problems?

Millions of root canals are performed successfully each year. However, concern persists in some circles that instead of relieving a health problem – an infected or injured tooth – root canals cause illness. While there is no evidence to support this idea, rumors of the “dangers of root canal therapy” continue.

The American Association of Endodontists and other dental professionals are frequently asked by patients about the safety of root canals. Practitioners are happy to explain the root canal process and why root canals are the treatment of choice for preserving your natural teeth.

Root Canals And Health Problems: The Facts

The primary research cited linking root canals to health problems is nearly a century old. Weston Price hypothesized in the early 1900s that bacteria trapped in a tooth treated by root canal caused diseases ranging from arthritis to heart disease. Needless to say, research methods and theories of disease causation were less advanced then; even studies conducted as early as the 1930s and 1940s indicated that there was no relationship between having a root canal and contracting a disease.
Current research findings reinforce that root canals neither cause nor are correlated with other health challenges. In fact, a 2013 study in a publication by the American Medical Association noted that not only did root canals not cause cancer of any type, patients who had undergone multiple endodontic treatments had a 45 percent reduction in their cancer risk.
Modern root canal treatment is safe and effective. With success rates of more than 90 percent, root canals have become reliable procedures for saving natural teeth. Digital imaging tools, advances in canal cleaning instruments, and the emergence of powerful disinfectants have all contributed to the ability of endodontists to save even seriously compromised natural teeth.

“There is a huge body of evidence demonstrating root canals are not associated with other health problems,” says Dr. Susan L. Wood, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Your peace of mind is a top concern to us, of course, and we are happy to discuss why root canals are the best option for most people to save their natural teeth.”

August 19, 2019 By Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen Leave a Comment

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.

July 15, 2019 By Dr. Susan Wood Leave a Comment

Is It Necessary To Get A Crown After A Root Canal?

If you are referred to an endodontist for a root canal, you may be surprised to learn that, as critical as the procedure is to saving your natural tooth, you will also need a second procedure to ensure its long-term success. Most of the time, your endodontist will recommend placing a crown on the tooth with the root canal. To understand why, it is helpful to review what root canal treatments do and the after-care needed to support them.

Why Teeth Treated With Root Canals Need Crowns

A root canal replaces your tooth’s nerve pulp with a biocompatible material. This substitution of gutta-percha or another biocompatible substance is what makes it possible to save your tooth, but it also makes the tooth more brittle. This means it can be more vulnerable to chipping or cracking.
The infection or breakage that led to the need for a root canal may have permanently weakened the tooth. By the time a root canal is recommended, your tooth may have already sustained structural damage. A crown can cover your entire tooth above the root line and provide protection your natural tooth has lost.
Previous dental work may have weakened your tooth. Dental fillings can fail and leave teeth prone to decay. Teeth on either side of a bridge may have been altered to hold the restoration in place. Other types of dental work can also reduce the strength of your teeth.
Crowns can prevent coronal leakage. If the filling that seals in the biocompatible tooth root material develops a leak, infection can get in and ruin the root canal. Crowns are the best restoration to prevent this type of potential damage.

“Root canals regularly save natural teeth, and a root canal topped with a crown can allow that tooth to last as long as the rest of your teeth,” says Dr. Susan L. Wood, an endodontist with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Our practice is happy to explain the importance of each step of the root canal process.”

May 28, 2019 By Dr. Susan Wood Leave a Comment

How Do You Know If You Need A Root Canal?

Determining whether you need a root canal or another type of dental treatment is usually handled by your general dentist or endodontist. You can avoid many complications by knowing the signs and symptoms indicating a root canal may be needed, and making an appointment to have your tooth examined.

Signs You May Need A Root Canal

Root canals are often the treatment of choice when a tooth has become injured or infected at a level impacting your dental pulp – the part of your tooth beneath the enamel and dentin layers, made up of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.

There are many ways this part of the tooth can be injured:

A chip or crack in the tooth lets bacteria into the pulp, causing infection
Severe, untreated tooth decay or cavities
Trauma to the face resulting in damage to your tooth’s structure

Sometimes teeth needing root canals show few symptoms and require diagnosis through careful examination by a dental professional using radiographs or other imaging techniques. It’s often apparent, though, when something is wrong with your tooth. Some of the symptoms that may call for a root canal include:

A severe toothache that gets worse when you chew or apply pressure near the tooth
Swelling and tenderness of the gums near the tooth
Discoloration (usually darkening) of the tooth
The tooth is sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, and discomfort remains after the source of the temperature change is gone
A pimple on the gums that persists or keeps reappearing

If you experience any of these symptoms, call your general dentist or endodontist immediately.

“Recognizing the signs of damaged or infected teeth can save patients extra discomfort and ensure their root canal treatment begins early,” says Dr. Susan L. Wood, an endodontist who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group.

April 24, 2019 By Dr. Susan Wood Leave a Comment

May Is Save Your Tooth Month

If you have a natural tooth compromised by infection or injury, you may believe that extraction is your only solution. However, many compromised teeth can be saved by endodontic treatments such as root canals or other more complex procedures. Endodontic practice groups across the nation will be celebrating Save Your Tooth Month in May. The event is sponsored by the American Association of Endodontists and is aimed at making people aware of their endodontic treatment options.

How Endodontic Treatment Can Save Your Teeth

Endodontic treatment can save natural teeth that might otherwise face extraction. Endodontists are well qualified to save your natural teeth because:

They receive two extra years of specialty training after receiving their degree as a dentist.
They learn how to perform root canals, apicoectomies, and other endodontic treatments.
They focus their practice exclusively on endodontic treatment, performing as many as 25 root canals per week.
They use techniques and special tools that are especially effective at saving natural teeth.
They work closely with general dentists, so it is easy to get a consultation and referral if your tooth needs endodontic treatment to preserve it.

“Endodontists’ combination of advanced training, access to unique tools and techniques, and the frequency with which we deal with root canals and other forms of endodontic treatment provide our patients with comfort and peace of mind,” says Dr. Susan L. Wood, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group.

Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, who also practices with the group, added, “There are many advantages to saving your natural teeth. Our practice can discuss strategies with you for treating compromised teeth with root canals and other endodontic treatments.”

April 18, 2019 By Dr. Susan Wood Leave a Comment

Phoenix Endodontic Group Offers Enhanced Support to Referral Providers

We are excited to tell you about a new development in our practice, one that is designed to better serve the restorative dentistry practices we work with. We have instituted a new position called Professional Relationship Director, whose role is to ensure seamless communication between our practices, and to share with you relevant information to enhance patient care.
We are proud to introduce you to the person who is going to perform this role, Kim Rowell.

Kim may not really need an introduction, since she has worked with us for several years in other roles, but you are going to be seeing and hearing a lot more from her in the future.
Kim will be making regular visits to your office to check in with you and your team. She will call you with any necessary updates on cases involving patients you refer. And she will always be available to take your questions, field requests for information, or organize meetings with the doctors when needed. We can tell you from experience working with Kim, she’s passionate and knowledgeable about dentistry, she loves to work with people, and she knows how to get things done. Kim has our full confidence in performing this job-which is to be, exclusively, the liaison between our practice and yours.
You can reach her directly at 602-288-9149 or by email at kim@phoenixendodontist.com

Once again, We are excited to deliver this news, and look forward to taking our working relationship-and the quality of care we provide to patients-to an even higher level.

December 26, 2018 By Dr. Susan Wood Leave a Comment

How Is A Root Canal Performed?

By the time your endodontist says you need a root canal, you may not care about the details of the procedure – you may simply want the pain in your mouth to stop. However, understanding what happens when a root canal is performed can lead to a better outcome.

Root Canals, Step By Step

Your dentist or endodontist determines a root canal is needed. Root canals may be performed if your tooth pulp has become infected due to decay, a cracked tooth, or other reasons. You may have symptoms such as a severe toothache, long-lasting sensitivity to hot or cold (long after the stimulus is removed), discoloration of the tooth, pain in the gums surrounding the tooth, or a reoccurring pimple on the gums near the tooth.
The tooth is X-rayed and the gums surrounding it are numbed. As part of the procedure, your endodontist will also place a dental dam around the tooth to protect it from saliva.
A small hole is drilled in the crown of the tooth. This allows the endodontist to access the infected tooth pulp and/or the abcess.
Your endodontist uses specialized tools to clean your tooth roots. These small tools do an important job: removing all infected pulp. They can also be used to shape the canals, preparing them for the next step.
The cleaned root canals are filled with a special material to prevent additional infection. Most of the time, the biocompatible material used is a rubber-like compound called gutta-percha. An adhesive material ensures the canal is completely sealed.
If the affected tooth has weak internal structure, a post may be added to strengthen it. This ensures the restoration will remain in place permanently.
A temporary filling is placed on the tooth. This protects the root canal until your follow-up visit.
Several weeks later, a permanent crown is placed on the tooth. This last step is crucial, providing durable protection for the root canal treatment.

“Each step in the root canal process serves an important function,” says Dr. Susan L. Wood, an endodontist in practice with the Phoenix Endodontic Group. “Our staff is happy to explain what you will experience during a root canal, and respond to any concerns you may have.”