Endodontics – Page 4

July 15, 2019 By Dr. Susan Wood

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

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

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

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

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.”

November 21, 2018 By Dr. Susan Wood

With Gratitude At Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, we give thanks for our wonderful staff, our referral providers and our patients!

We are thankful…

….to our patients for choosing Phoenix Endodontic Group for their endodontic needs. We value your patronage and appreciate your confidence in us.

….to our referral partner dental offices for choosing Phoenix Endodontic Group as their partner in patient dental care.

….and to our team members, their expertise and attention to detail is second to none.

Thank you for being part of the Phoenix Endodontic Group family!

We caught up with a few team members to find out what they are thankful for this year:

Kim: I am grateful for my health, my amazing son, my fabulous circle of people and my precious furry princess.

Dr Allen: I am thankful for my combined awesome family and grandkids. Thankful for the family by marriage on my husbands side-especially Marian Conroy. Thankfull for the bubbas.Thankful for all the kind and wonderful staff I have. Thankful for all the people that support AzMOM in various ways-especially the core group that has been with us from the very start in 2012. Thankful for my facebook group of friends that are in the unfortunate group and people that have lost children. They don’t know how much they have come to mean to me-even if I don’t really know them for any other reason.

Savannah: I am grateful for my body and my health. I am so fortunate that my body allows me to do all the things I enjoy and allows me to feel connected like hiking, my yoga practice, running, and dancing. I am grateful for the incredible support system in my life. Those that are family by blood and especially those who have become my soul family through the intervention of the universe. I am grateful for my fur baby patchouli. We have been through 5 moves and 8 years together. She is probably the one living being whom has seen me at my most authentic.I am so grateful for this past year in which I have experienced exponential growth and awareness.

The entire Phoenix Endodontic Group is counting our blessings this Thanksgiving, and we want to share our genuine appreciation for you. We wouldn’t be where we are today without you!

October 22, 2018 By Dr. Susan Wood

Can You Go Back To Work After a Root Canal?

Your experience after a root canal may be as unique as the circumstances that led to your need for the procedure. After your root canal, your endodontist will likely send you home with instructions for how to care for your teeth until a permanent crown can be placed. These instructions might cover pain management, brushing and flossing, and tips for retaining your temporary crown.

One of the post-procedural questions that may be at the top of your mind is when you can go back to work. The simple answer is usually, “the day after your procedure.” However, several factors can influence this time estimate.

3 Post-Root Canal Questions To Answer Before You Return To Work

How much post-procedure pain are you experiencing? You may experience discomfort after the root canal, but often it can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers. Serious pain can indicate that you may need to follow up with your endodontist.
Is your temporary crown still in place? You will need to have the crown replaced if it falls out.
Does your work situation allow you to control what you eat? You’ll want to eat soft, cool, bland foods and chew on the side of the mouth opposite the root canal.

“Most adults can go back to work within a day of their root canal,” says Dr. Susan L. Wood, an endodontist who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group, “However, it’s crucial not to rush that return so much that you miss a symptom your endodontist needs to know about.”

September 25, 2018 By Dr. Susan Wood

What Should You Avoid Eating After a Root Canal?

Modern root canals are very effective treatments for natural teeth endangered by injury, decay or disease. The procedure has a success rate well above 90 percent. In those first few days after a root canal, though, your attention may be drawn to more immediate concerns, including what to eat as your mouth heals.

How you eat and what you eat are two key pieces of your root canal aftercare. Following the guidelines below can help ensure your recovery goes smoothly.

Foods To Avoid After Your Root Canal

Raw vegetables. Normally health enhancing, crunchy snacks such as carrots and celery should be temporarily taken off your menu.
Nuts. Again, this category of food is usually on the health friendly list, but they are simply too hard for your newly treated tooth to handle.
Hard candy. Even if your intention is to suck on these sweet treats instead of chew them, there is always the risk that the candy could shatter or put too much pressure on the treated area.
Chewing gum. The main danger of using chewing gum after a root canal is that it could pull out your temporary filling, which is essential to preventing infection until a permanent crown can be placed.
Excessively hot foods or drinks. Items such as hot coffee, soup or tea may cause painful sensitivity during the healing period.

Foods that are generally safe to eat after a root canal include ice cream, soft fruits such as bananas and mangoes, yogurt, milkshakes, oatmeal and soft cereals free of any nuts. It is also very important to chew on the side of the mouth opposite your tooth receiving root canal treatment, and to eat slowly.

“The healing period for a root canal is not especially lengthy, but it is important to eat with care during that time to avoid damaging the work your endodontist has done,” says Dr. Susan L. Wood, who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group.

August 24, 2018 By Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen

What Is The Recovery Like For Root Canal?

Root canals are a type of endodontic procedure designed to save a patient’s natural tooth. An endodontic specialist or a general dentist treats an injured or infected tooth by cleaning the canals of the tooth root of their pulp and replacing it with a compound known as gutta-percha.

This procedure has a success rate upwards of 90 percent and can make a dramatic positive difference in a patient’s oral health. However, if you’ve been referred to an endodontist for a root canal, it’s only natural to wonder what your recovery period will look like. We asked Dr. Jacqueline S. Allen, an endodontist who practices with the Phoenix Endodontic Group, to explain what most patients can expect after a root canal.

Root Canal Recovery: What To Expect

Your root canal should lessen any tooth-related pain you have been feeling. Some extra sensitivity may remain if you were previously feeling pain from an infection or injury, but that should respond to over-the-counter or prescription painkillers.
You will need to avoid chewing with the treated tooth at first. Your root canal will have a temporary filling on top of it to seal the canals, but until you receive a permanent restoration such as a crown, you will need to minimize chewing with the treated tooth.
You will want to continue your usual oral self-care regimen. Brush twice a day and floss daily to maintain the health of your entire mouth. Follow your dental provider’s recommended schedule for follow up appointments once your restoration is in place.
You may return to normal activities the day after your root canal. You should be able to return to work or participate in most types of recreational activities you may have scheduled.

Despite advances in endodontic clinical technique and dental technology, not all root canals are successful. If a canal is not found and filled during the initial procedure, or if the tooth is challenged by a new infection or injury later on, you may need a root canal retreatment. It’s essential to alert your endodontist if discomfort returns to the tooth treated by the root canal.

“Many patients suffer unnecessary anxiety related to recovery from their root canal,” says Dr. Allen. “But recovery goes smoothly for most people, and a patient only has to observe a few extra precautions to ensure the success of their procedure.”

July 26, 2018 By Dr. Susan Wood