How your dentist in Huntsville, Alabama can help you

There is a lot of information out there about root canal treatment and you deserve to know the facts. Dr. Michael Pugh in Huntsville, Alabama, can help you separate fact from fiction when it comes to root canal treatment. Here are just a few of the common questions and answers about root canal treatment.

What are some of the signs and symptoms you may need a root canal?

• Tooth pain that doesn’t go away, even after dental treatment
• Throbbing, aching pain or pressure that continues throughout the day
• Sharp, stabbing pain when you bite down
• Throbbing pain when you eat or drink hot or cold foods or beverages
• A red or white bump on your gums next to the root of a tooth
• Blood or pus draining from the bump on your gums

Do root canals hurt?

Root canals relieve pain and pressure associated with abscesses and dental infections. Don't worry about discomfort, root canal treatment is performed while your tooth and the surrounding gum tissue is profoundly numb. Your dentist will use a wide range of anesthesia techniques including local anesthetic, sedation, or medication. Typically, you will not feel pain during the procedure.

How many appointments does a root canal take?

Typically, root canal therapy requires at least two appointments. At the first appointment, a small opening is made in the top of your tooth and the nerves and blood supply to the tooth are removed through the opening. A sedative is placed inside your tooth to help relieve pain and pressure. After your tooth has calmed down and is no longer painful, it is filled in with an inert material and resealed.

Do I need a dental crown after root canal treatment?

It is best to have a crown placed after your tooth has had a root canal because after the blood supply and nerves are removed, a tooth can become brittle and more prone to breaking. A dental crown protects your entire tooth from the stress of biting and chewing.

Contact us!

These are just a few of the common questions and answers related to root canal treatment. To find out more about root canal therapy and other restorative, cosmetic, and preventive dental services, call Dr. Michael Pugh in Huntsville, Alabama today! (256) 536-3386.

When was the last time you saw your dentist for a routine checkup?

Not sure the last time you saw your dentist? If so, you aren’t alone. One study found that as many as one in three Americans didn’t see the dentist that year. Since everyone is supposed to get routine dental checkups every six months, this news is deeply concerning. Our Huntsville, AL, dentist Dr. Michael Pugh is here to tell you why these six-month dental visits are important for patients of all ages and why people don’t often come in as regularly as they should.

Why People Don’t See the Dentist

There are many reasons people choose not to come in for routine checkups. If you want to maintain good oral health for the rest of your life the only way to do it is to see your Huntsville, AL, general dentist regularly and to have a trusting relationship with our team so that you know you are getting the best care possible.

Many people choose not to see the dentist due to financial constraints, busy schedules or dental phobias. Trust us; we’ve heard it all. But there are ways to face these underlying issues so you can ultimately get the proper care your teeth and gums deserve.

Dealing with financial issues? Talk to us. Our dental team understands that medical care can be expensive sometimes and we want to work with your family to ensure that everyone gets the dentistry they need without breaking the bank. Plus, these two visits a year are less expensive than needing extensive dental work to repair and restore a damaged smile.

Is your schedule too hectic? We know that life can sometimes get in the way of your medical care. We would be happy to work with your busy schedule to find a time that works best for you and that doesn’t add more stress to your routine.

Scared of the dentist? We know this is a real fear for many. If you haven’t visited the dentist in a while give us a call and let us know. We are sensitive to our patient’s fears and anxieties and want to help make dental visits stress-free and easy on you.

The Importance of Routine Dental Checkups

Most of the time common problems such as gum disease and cavities don’t present with symptoms. This means that the only way to catch these issues before they cause damage is to come in for checkups every six months. During these checkups we also:

• Remove plaque and tartar buildup, the leading causes of cavities and gum disease
• Remove surface stains from teeth for a whiter smile
• Screen for and detect early warning signs of oral cancer
• Address any questions or concerns you have about your oral health
• Provide recommendations for certain dental treatments that could improve your smile

What are you waiting for? Give your smile the care it deserves by calling Dr. Michael Pugh in Huntsville, AL today to schedule a cleaning for yourself or a member of your family.

Discover some of the warning signs that might mean you have a cavity.

No one wants to deal with a cavity; however, it’s one of the most common dental problems that both kids and adults face. In fact, about 91 percent of American adults between the ages of 20-64 had at least one cavity in 2012; however, our Huntsville, AL, dentist, Dr. Michael Pugh, wants to make sure you get the dental care you need to ward off cavities and also to treat them should they happen to you.

So, you might be wondering about the most common signs and symptoms of a cavity. After all, the sooner you discover these warning signs the sooner you can seek treatment. Unfortunately, sometimes cavities surface and we don’t even know it. That’s why making sure you visit your Huntsville general dentist every six months is the best way to know whether or not a cavity has surfaced. Even before a cavity surfaces, we will be able to pinpoint decay. In some instances, if we catch the decay soon enough it can be reversed with the proper oral care and maintenance before it turns into a full-blown cavity.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that cavities can’t sometimes cause symptoms such as a toothache or sudden tooth sensitivity. You may even notice a small brown or black spot on the tooth. If you notice any of these symptoms then it’s time to call your dentist as soon as possible.

How is a cavity treated?

If we do detect a cavity it will need to be treated right away. The only way to get rid of a cavity is to remove the decay. After the decay is completely removed we will need to restore the tooth both for strength and appearance. To do so we will place a dental filling.

More often than not we will place a tooth-colored dental filling because it most closely resembles the look and shade of natural tooth enamel. The filling is a special dental resin that is matched to the color of the tooth before it is applied in layers over the drilled areas of the tooth.

The resin is moldable so we can easily shape and contour it. After each layer is applied it is hardened into place with a special dental laser. Once the tooth is fully restored by the filling we will give the tooth a good polish so that the resin shines just like your natural tooth enamel.

Don’t let a cavity ruin your smile. Turn to Dr. Michael Pugh in Huntsville, AL, if you believe that you might have a cavity. The sooner you seek dental care for problems the better when it comes to the health of your smile. Call our office today.

Dental decay is a common issue for Americans, which is why root canal therapy is one of the most common dental treatments administered by dentists. In a way, root canal therapy can be considered a preventative measure, because it prevents unnecessary tooth loss or extraction. It’s preferable to keep all of your original teeth for as long as possible, if not for a lifetime. Keep an eye out for these signs that may indicate a need for a root canal session with Huntsville, AL, dentist Dr. Michael Pugh.

Intrinsic Discoloration
Watch for what is called intrinsic discoloration, which is a darkening of the teeth at the inner layers. It may be an indication of either dental trauma or disease. When one tooth starts to lose its color while the others stay the same, that is an isolated issue that may be related to a single tooth's infection or decaying nerve tissue.

Severe Tooth or Jaw Pain
Mild tooth sensitivity sometimes happens in patients when they eat certain foods, but it is not normal to experience severe sharp tooth pain. Pain is a sign that the nerves of the tooth are irritated or infected. That infected tissue must be completely removed by your Huntsville, AL dentist to get relief and save the tooth.

Boils, Bumps, and Other Gum Abnormalities
Sometimes when there is a problem inside of a tooth, evidence will start to show along the gumline. If you notice any bumps or boils forming on the gums (especially if it’s in a painful spot) this could be a sign of a dental abscess or infection. Check the gums for swelling and redness as well.

Make the Appointment
Despite the myths and fears about root canals, this treatment is often the best choice for keeping your smile healthy and disease-free. Contact Huntsville, AL, dentist Dr. Michael Pugh at (256) 536-3386 today to schedule an appointment.

Crowns offer an excellent solution if you're concerned about a flaw in your smile or want to stabilize a damaged tooth. Huntsville, AL, dentist Dr. Michael Pugh explains how you can improve your smile with a crown.

What are crowns?

Crowns are made of durable porcelain and look just like natural teeth. They're hollow inside, which allows them to fit over your teeth easily. Dental technicians create your new crown using an impression of your mouth made in our Huntsville office. Before the impression is made, the tooth is reduced in size slightly. While you wait for the dental laboratory to create your crown, you'll wear a temporary crown. Your permanent crown is attached to your tooth with dental cement after a few minor adjustments are made.

Are crowns a good choice for me?

You may benefit from a crown if:

• You don't like the way your tooth looks: Crowns are often used to completely change the appearance of a tooth. They offer an excellent solution if you want to improve the appearance of a twisted or crooked tooth or would like to conceal a discolored tooth.
• You had a root canal: Crowns are usually recommended if you've had a root canal. Although root canal therapy saves your tooth, removing the pulp in the center of the tooth weakens it. Crowns add strength and stability, protecting your tooth from cracks or fractures.
• Your tooth is cracked: Constant pressure from chewing and biting can eventually cause cracked teeth to fracture. When you top your tooth with a crown, the restoration absorbs the biting forces and protects the tooth underneath.
• Your tooth is fractured: Fractured teeth can be easily restored with crowns. Adding a crown not only improves your appearance but makes eating easier.
• Your tooth is too short: Has one of your teeth always been shorter than surrounding teeth? A crown offers a simple way to extend it. Crowns are also a good choice if your teeth have become shorter due to grinding while you sleep.
• You lost a tooth: Crowns anchor dental bridges used to replace missing teeth and are also added to dental implants. A dental implant bonds to your jawbone and acts as a replacement root. The addition of a crown to the top of the implant restores the appearance and function of the missing tooth.

Crowns protect and improve your smile. Call Huntsville, AL, dentist Dr. Michael Pugh at (256) 536-3386 to schedule an appointment.