The Root Cause of Your Tooth Pain
Persistent toothaches can be a sign that your tooth is badly infected. To preserve your smile, root canal therapy may be required to save your tooth and improve your oral health. Thanks to our office’s advanced sedation methods, root canal therapy with Dr. Huff is a virtually painless procedure.
If you’re in the Kerrville area and require a root canal treatment, Dr. Matthew Huff can conduct your procedure at Precision Dentistry & Implants. Read below to learn more about if you’re a candidate for this treatment option.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a restorative procedure Dr. Huff utilizes when tooth decay or a cavity has been left untreated for too long. Every tooth is kept healthy and hydrated by the pulp, which is located at the center of the tooth’s chamber. When the pulp becomes infected, your teeth are more susceptible to pain from hot and cold temperatures or when eating anything that’s sweet or acidic.
Signs You Need Root Canal Therapy
While Dr. Huff will be able to confirm whether you require root canal therapy, it’s important to understand the signs of a deeply infected tooth. The following symptoms may indicate that you need immediate treatment:
- Persistent toothaches
- Swollen and tender gums around the tooth
- Pain while chewing
- Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Discolored tooth and gums
The Process of Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy can be completed in just one appointment at our Kerrville practice. To begin your treatment, Dr. Huff will administer a local anesthetic to numb the area around the infected tooth to ensure that you don’t experience any pain or discomfort.
During the procedure, Dr. Huff will access the center of your tooth to remove bacteria and decayed tissue, filling it afterwards with a specialized rubber substance. This material will help guard against further infection for your tooth.
Depending on how much of the natural tooth remains, Dr. Huff will either place a filling or a crown to restore its appearance and function. This will eliminate any sensitivity and reduce the chance of reinfection.
Root Canal Retreatment
In some cases, a tooth can be reinfected after root canal therapy. When this happens, the affected area must be treated again to prevent further complications. One common cause of reinfection after root canal therapy is having a complicated tooth root structure. This can make it difficult to detect and clear out all the areas of the root canal. Dr. Huff will map out your root structure so he has a better understanding of it during the procedure.
Tooth Extractions
If your tooth can’t be saved by root canal therapy, Dr. Huff may recommend having the infected tooth removed to prevent further complications. During treatment, a local anesthetic is applied to numb the area so you won’t feel a thing during the procedure. Immediately after surgery, Dr. Huff will give you instructions for post-operative care of the extraction site.
Our Kerrville office provides services for you to receive a dental implant, which can replace your removed tooth with a natural-looking crown that will enhance the rest of your smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
While most patients think root canal therapy is painful, modern technology and anesthesia have made it virtually painless. You may experience some mild discomfort after your treatment, but this is normal and usually subsides after a few days. Dr. Matthew Huff will provide you with instructions to ensure a quick recovery.
If your tooth hurts a week after your procedure, call our Kerrville office at (830) 896-8343 to receive immediate treatment. Some pain is normal in the days after your root canal therapy, but persistent discomfort may indicate a complication. Some of these include:
- Dry socket
- Nerve damage
- Bacterial Infection
Dr. Huff will provide you with a list of instructions to follow in order to lower your risk of developing a complication with your treated tooth. He’ll provide you with the necessary dental attention that your smile needs.
A hot tooth is a severely infected tooth that’s difficult to treat and may not respond well to anesthesia. The reasons why a tooth may become infected this way are still unclear. Luckily, Dr. Huff is a highly experienced dental professional, and will take the necessary precautions while treating your infected tooth to ensure you feel as little pain as possible.
A dead tooth is noticeable through its color and associated pain. As your tooth decays, it may turn brown, gray, or black, with the surrounding gum area becoming swollen as well. The tooth nerve will also die, causing severe pain. Other symptoms may include bad breath or an odd taste in your mouth.
Save Your Smile With Dr. Huff
With a dental professional like Dr. Huff, you won’t have to worry about losing your teeth. If you need root canal therapy, let Precision Dentistry & Implants ease your pain and restore the health of your smile. Contact our office by calling (830) 896-8343 or by filling out our easy contact form to schedule an appointment today. We look forward to renewing your beautiful smile!