Root Canal
Treatment

Root canal therapy or endodontic treatment is required when the pulp (the soft tissue inside a tooth’s root canal) becomes inflamed or infected. When a tooth’s nerve or blood supply is damaged – usually due to trauma or decay – infection can spread within the root system of the tooth, causing root canal pain.

A common myth that the root canal procedure is itself painful, stems from historical practices. However, rest assured that with advances in local anaesthesia and pain-relief medication, root canal therapy can be completed, pain-free. Now, that’s what we all like to hear!

Root canal therapy is a multi-phase process. The steps include: 

• At your first appointment, we’ll anaesthetise your tooth and ensure it’s completely numb. We’ll then clean the tooth including the nerve chamber and will remove the damaged pulp. This allows the tooth to begin healing and also relieves the pain.
• During your second visit, we’ll place a filling in the roots of your tooth to prevent the infection from reoccurring.
• Depending on the level of tooth damage, we may book you in for a third visit to restore and strengthen your tooth with a crown. 

Requiring several visits to our dental practice, we understand that the thought of root canal therapy can be a little scary. Here to put you completely at ease, we take the time to talk you through each step involved, always ensuring that you’re comfortable. We’ll be just like family once your treatment is complete (but be warned, we may expect a Christmas present!) 

A root canal treatment is necessary when the pulp inside your tooth, which contains nerves and blood vessels, becomes infected. Symptoms that may indicate you need root canal therapy include severe pain when biting down on a tooth, discolouration of a tooth, swelling around the gum area or having an abscess (a pimple-like bump) on your gums.

The cost of root canal treatment depends on several factors, including the complexity of the procedure, the materials used, and whether it is being performed by a general dentist or an endodontist.

We recommend that you discuss all costs with your dentist prior to beginning any treatment.

Root canal treatment usually requires multiple appointments. The total treatment time is dependent on the complexity of the procedure. During your initial appointment, the dentist will assess the condition of your tooth and make a plan for how to best treat it. After this, they will begin to remove any infected or damaged tissue inside the tooth. They will then fill and seal the tooth.

In most cases, saving your natural tooth through a root canal treatment is preferable to extraction. It helps maintain the structure and function of your bite, preventing the need for implants or bridges.

Yes, most patients are able to drive themselves home after a root canal unless sedation has been used. If you have received sedation, it’s advised to arrange transport.