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.