What Is
Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment is an endodontic treatment used by dental professionals to save a tooth with dead or irreversible tooth pulp damage. The main goal is to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of your mouth or inflict further damage to the tooth itself.

The procedure involves drilling a hole into the tooth to serve as a passageway to the pulp, allowing the removal of the infected tissue. The dental pulp contains connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels, extending into the tooth’s root. This space is filled and sealed after the inflamed pulp has been removed and the canal cleaned. Dental crowns are often recommended as final restoration, especially if the root canal treated tooth, like your molars, receives constant masticatory load or chewing forces.
The dentist or an endodontist can perform root canal therapy. It has a success rate of about 90 to 95%. Patients who went through root canal therapy can anticipate a functional tooth following the procedure. The treated tooth may last for quite a time if the patient practises good dental hygiene habits and maintains taking care of the teeth.
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Common Signs I Need a Root Canal Treatment

An infected or damaged tooth with good bone support can be saved with root canal therapy. If the tooth becomes infected or damaged, it may be due to decay, repeated dental work, wear and tear, gum disease, cracked fillings, or being injured.
Sometimes a patient may not experience or observe any signs that require root canal therapy. In these situations, the problem is discovered during a dental checkup or treatment for other dental concerns using special tests or X-rays. However, the following signs are frequently reported by most of our patients:
  • Toothache when chewing or biting.
  • Spontaneous or severe pain.
  • A loose tooth.
  • Increased tooth sensitivity in cold or hot temperatures.
  • Discolouring or darkening of the tooth.
  • Oozing pus around an infected tooth.
  • Tenderness in the affected area.
  • Swollen gums
  • You may observe your face or neck is swelling.

Why Choose
Ashburton Dental Centre for Root Canal?

Root canal therapy is an effective treatment for the diseased tooth. However, it’s essential to choose a dentist who has experience and knowledge in root canals. If the cavity is not treated correctly or even left untreated, this will cause further damage, which may need a more complex surgery on your gum tissues or even extraction.
At Ashburton Dental Centre, we are committed to providing our patients the dental care and dental procedures they need and deserve. Our dentists have experience in treating patients concerning root canals. We used the latest equipment and modern technology in our dental clinic to ensure the safety and effectiveness of our root canal treatment.
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FAQ's About Root Canal Therapy in Gosnells

The total cost of root canal treatment depends on many factors, such as how many teeth are infected that need the procedure, the location, and if you require a crown replacement. The National Dental fee Survey reported that the standard cost of a root canal in Australia might range from $2,000 to $3,400 without a crown. A molar root canal with three canals in Australia may cost between $2,760 and $4,760 without a crown and up to $6,480 with a crown.

An example of a more specific average total cost of root canal treatment in Western Australia are the following:

  • Root Canal with filling (1 canal): $623 to $937. Including the x-ray, mechanical preparation, and pulp obturation.
  • Root Canal with a crown (2 canals): $2495 to $3330. Including the x-ray, each and additional mechanical preparation, each and additional pulp obturation, and full crown.
  • Root Canal with filling (3 canals): $1222 to $1743. Including the x-ray, each and additional mechanical preparation, and each and additional pulp obturation.
  • Root Canal with a crown (4 canals): $3085 to $4136. Including the x-ray, each and additional mechanical preparation, each and additional pulp obturation, and full crown.

You must have an underlying dental condition that requires a root canal to be a candidate. It occurs when tooth decay has progressed sufficiently to penetrate the enamel and dentin. It causes the dental pulp, which contains the nerves, to become infected. As a result, pain occurs. The following cases or signs may be necessary for considering root canal therapy.

  • If the infected tooth can be saved through root canal treatment.
  • A loose tooth that does not need a tooth extraction.
  • Experiencing severe pain.
  • Pus surrounding the infected tooth.
  • Swollen gums.
  • Infected or dead pulp.
  • A deep cavity or a cracked tooth that bacteria can enter and reach the dental pulp.

In this situation, the only alternative is tooth extraction. In many cases, this can cause the adjacent teeth to move, resulting in an abnormal bite. It may be cheaper to pull your tooth out initially, but the space or gap left will likely need a bridge or implant, which can be more expensive than root canal treatment. If the infected tooth may work well with root canal therapy, it may be the best option. It is best to keep your natural tooth than to have them extracted and replaced with false teeth.

Overall, the dentist will determine which dental procedure is suitable for your situation.

Most people fear this kind of procedure due to its possibility of being painful, but the treatment carried out by a trained dentist will not be nearly as painful as they fear.

Generally, the pain most patients feel comes from the infection. The treatment rarely or does not cause pain but instead serves to alleviate the symptoms. Thus, the oral surgeon will induce local anesthesia to numb the tooth and reduce the pain of the procedure.

You may experience some mild tenderness after root canal therapy. The dentists may recommend over-the-counter pain medication to manage the discomfort. A prescription of an antibiotic will be provided to prevent and treat the infection following the procedure.

A root canal therapy typically takes between one and three sessions. The dentist first inspects the tooth with an x-ray to check for the shape of the root canals and assess whether any infection exists in the bone surrounding it.

  • Cleaning the root canal

During the first stage of root canal treatment, the dentist removes everything found inside. Such as old fillings, pus, debris, tooth decay, and infected nerve tissue will be removed.

The dentist makes a small access hole in the tooth’s surface and uses tiny files to remove the diseased and dead pulp tissue while the patient is under local anesthesia.

  • Shaping the root canal

The canals within the tooth root must be shaped into smooth, hollow tunnels free of obstructions where residual germs may accumulate and to be filled well. This process may include special tools, disinfectants, and medications. It might take several weeks to months for these treatments to effectively fight against persistent bacteria in the tooth. This process may need to be repeated.

  • Filling the root canal

To avoid bacteria from re-infecting the canal space in your tooth, they are permanently sealed with a long-lasting barrier material.

  • Filling or dental crown

However, the tooth after the root canal procedure will now be more fragile than before. When there is no pulp in a tooth, it must receive nourishment from the ligament that connects it to the bone. A dental crown or filling can provide protection from future fracturing as the tooth becomes more fragile.

After root canal treatment, the patient is advised not to chew or bite on the tooth until the dental crown or filling is applied. When the replacement is complete, the patient can normally chew or bite.

Risks and disadvantages of root canal

Success has been achieved with root canal treatments. In rare cases, treatment may need to be repeated if there are diseased canal offshoots that were not detected initially or if the canal filing instrument breaks in the canal, which may cause to perforate the canal.

In addition, root canal treatment can cause a recurrence of infection, but it is uncommon. Root canals that are not cleaned properly or roots that have cracks in them can cause this. If this occurs, retreatment may be required.

Our dentists in Ashburton Dental Centre can advise you on the risks associated with root canal treatments.

In Australia, root canal therapy is usually not covered by health insurance extras. You will need high levels of extras coverage to receive root canal treatment covered. Additional dental insurance typically covers simple general procedures like checkups but not major treatments like root canals therapy.

In general, all dentists have been trained in root canal therapy. Depending on the situation, some dentists may refer complicated cases to an endodontist. Endodontists are dentists who specialize in root canal procedures.

Your dentist can refer you to a specialist endodontist if you would like a specialist opinion.

The success rate of root canal treatment is at 95%. In extremely rare situations, a complication of the root canal may occur if the procedure is not correctly done. The following are the common indications:

  • Persistent pain

Mild discomfort is common to experience after the root canal. But, if the pain increases and persists following few days or if the tooth seems better at first, but spontaneous pain occurs, it may be an indication of failed root canal therapy.

  • Swelling

It is not uncommon for your face or mouth to swell for a day or two after the procedure. Your root canal may have failed if you experience any new swelling or if it persists.

  • Charge

If you notice bleeding or pus coming from the treated tooth or area around the gums, you may have an abscess. An abscess is usually accompanied by pain, but not always, so you should check any discharge for an abscess.

Any invasive procedure may carry risks, and it is recommended to follow your dentist’s instructions or have a second opinion from a specialist.

Book An Appointment With Our Gosnells Dental Team Today

We're located in the Ashburton Village Shopping Centre next to the Ashburton Primary School. If you have questions about getting the dental care you need, call or book online today!

(08) 9490-8777 Or   Book Online