Root Canal Sydney

Once infection is inside the soft tissues of your tooth, the only solution is root canal treatment. 

At Putney Dental Care, our goal is to preserve the natural integrity of your teeth and restore your smile with pain-free root canal treatments that stand the test of time.

Call us at (02) 9808 2588 to book an appointment for expert root canal therapy in Sydney regions of Putney, Ryde, Gladesville, Meadowbank and surrounding areas!

What is a Root Canal Procedure?

A root canal procedure removes the infection from the inside of a tooth. Also known as endodontic treatment, it aims to restore the function and aesthetics of your natural tooth while saving it from being extracted. 

Inside every tooth is a root canal filled with soft tissue called dental pulp, made up of nerves and blood vessels extending down to your tooth’s root. When teeth become infected from decay, injury or disease, this can cause intense pain and lead to further permanent oral health complications.

A general dentist performs root canal treatments, or a root canal specialist called an endodontist. 

After the procedure, the root canal is sealed with either a dental crown or a filling to protect the tooth and prevent further infection. 

How Painful is Root Canal Therapy?

While there’s a common misconception that root canal therapy is painful, the inflamed and infected pulp causes the pain.

Local anaesthetic is used to numb the affected area prior to all root canal procedures to soothe dental anxiety and make the procedure as pleasant as possible. Any discomfort felt will be equivalent to getting a dental filling. 

At Putney Dental Care, we use an innovative, virtually painless anaesthetic technology called ‘The Wand’. It delivers a computer-regulated flow of anaesthetic that is needle-free and minimises tissue damage.

Cost of Root Canal Sydney

On average, expect to pay $1,200-$2,000 per tooth for a root canal in Sydney. Additional expenses include:

• An endodontic treatment assessment.
• Dental x-rays.
• Filling of the root canal after treatment or the placement of a dental crown. 

However, root canal treatment costs will depend on where the infected tooth is located in your mouth and how complex or long the infection has been present. 

While root canal procedures are not covered by Medicare in Australia, private health insurance with ‘major dental’ coverage may pay for the root canal cost partially or in full. 

For root canal treatments in Sydney, Ryde, Meadowbank and Gladesville areas, our endodontists at Putney Dental Care will assess your individual needs and offer a targeted treatment plan. Our root canal therapy procedures start at $1,500 per tooth.

How Can You Tell if You Need a Root Canal?

While not all people who have root canal infections experience symptoms, it’s important to visit a dental clinic as soon as possible if any symptoms are present. The commons signs that you need to seek root canal treatment include: 

• Significant or throbbing tooth pain when chewing or pressure is applied to the tooth 
• Severe and sudden tooth pain that doesn’t stop after taking painkillers
• Lingering sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods and drinks 
• Swelling around the gum area surrounding the tooth, a swollen face or neck
• An abscess that looks like a pimple on the gum next to the tooth
• Cracks, chips or holes in teeth
• Tooth discolouration 
• Loose tooth
• Darkened gums

Infection of your tooth’s root canal is irreversible; once it exists, the only cure is removing the tooth pulp. If left untreated, the infection is highly likely to spread to surrounding teeth and gums. It can also lead to deterioration of the underlying bone and gum tissue and other health complications.

How Do You Prepare for a Root Canal?

Being informed on what to expect will help you prepare for your root canal treatment. There are a few ways to minimise your pain, increase your comfort and benefit your recovery: 

• Avoid alcohol and tobacco for 24 hours before your treatment.
• Sleep well – when you’re rested, your body can recover quicker.
• Eat at least an hour before your procedure, as the numbing from the anaesthetic may make it harder to eat afterwards. 
• Take ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling prior to the procedure, and keep more pain killers available for the following days.
• Stock up on soft and cooling foods that require minimal chewing to eat while inflammation and swelling are still present

What are the 4 Stages of Root Canal Treatment?

Your dentist or endodontist will have assessed your teeth visually and identified the areas needing treatment from a dental x-ray at your initial consultation. Depending on the severity of the infected dental pulp or tooth damage, your root canal treatment may occur over multiple appointments. 

1. Pre-treatment Pain Relief

To ensure the procedure is as painless as possible, local anaesthesia is applied to the surrounding area of your damaged or infected tooth to numb the area. Then the tooth is isolated by a protective rubber dam to keep the area dry and free from bacteria in saliva reinfecting the tooth. 

2. Root Canal Procedure

With a specialised dental drill, a small hole is made in the infected area of the tooth leading to the root canal. Following this, the damaged or infected pulp, bacteria, and decayed nerve tissue will be gently removed using specific instruments. 

The diameter of the hole will be increased to ensure the infection is thoroughly cleaned out, which will then be flushed out of any remaining debris. Antibacterial or anti-inflammatory medications may be applied inside the root canal and surrounding tissues to starve off any further infections. 

Most root canal procedures are complete within an hour or less. Teeth in the front of the mouth have one root, whereas molar teeth in the back of your mouth can have two or three root canals and may require more time.

3. Temporary Dental Filling or Crown

After the procedure, a latex derivative called gutta percha is filled deep into the root canal to stop any potential bacteria from reentering. Then the opening is sealed with a temporary dental filling or crown.

In some cases, permanent fillings or dental crowns are cemented into place on the same day. This option varies case by case and depends on your individual root canal therapy plan and dental clinic. 

Having 1-2 weeks time to recover after your endodontic treatment is usually advised to ensure proper healing. Any signs of reinfection can then be addressed before permanently sealing the area.

4. Permanent Filling or Crown

After a healing period of 1-2 weeks, the temporary filling or crown will be removed and replaced with a permanent dental crown or selected permanent tooth filling. Depending on the structure of the remaining natural tooth, in this final stage, a small support post may be inserted into the root canal for extra support.

Even though the natural tooth has been restructured and remains in place, it is no longer connected via blood supply to the body because the pulp has been removed. Therefore it is weakened and will dry out and become brittle over time. 

Dental crowns are the preferred option after root canal treatments to seal the whole tooth and protect against potential future issues. Designed to look and feel like your natural teeth, dental crowns are custom-made by technicians based on impressions of your existing teeth.

After Your Procedure

After your root canal procedure, expect to feel tooth sensitivity, tissue inflammation, localised pain and swollen gums between appointments, especially if you experienced root canal pain prior to the treatment. 

Use pain medication when needed and allow yourself to rest to help your recovery process. 

Your mouth will remain numb for a few hours directly after the dental treatment from the anaesthesia. Once it wears off, you’ll be more comfortable consuming food or drinks. Stick to cool and soft liquid-type foods like blended soups, yoghurt and smoothies in the first few days while you are healing. Avoid any sharp, spicy and hot foods and drinks. 

If you’ve been fitted with temporary dental fillings or crowns, it’s also important to avoid chewing or adding direct pressure on the fragile area. This will prevent bacteria from foods and saliva from entering the pulp chamber, protecting it before it is fully restored permanently in 1-2 weeks.

Maintaining good oral hygiene and preventive care is crucial for avoiding any post-procedure infection

That means:

• Brushing your teeth twice a day
• Flossing
• Visiting your dentist every 6 months

It’s also a good idea to know what the signs of infection after root canal are, so you can identify instances where medical intervention my be necessary.

With proper oral care, root canal treatment is highly successful and will last many years. Contact your dental clinic if you experience pain, or your tooth hurts a week after your procedure. 

Expert Root Canal Treatment in Sydney with Putney Dental Care

Our aim is to help you achieve optimal oral health that keeps you smiling for years to come. All of our dentists and endodontists at Putney Dental Care are highly experienced and have been successfully performing root canal treatments for many years. 

Contact us or book your appointment online for your root canal assessment and personalised solution. We will explain to you everything that is involved in the treatment and any questions you have about outcomes, possible risks and costs. 

Putney Dental Care services areas in Sydney, including Putney, Ryde, Meadowbank, Gladesville and surrounding suburbs. 

FAQs

Do I Need a Crown After a Root Canal?

Not always. Whether or not you need a crown after root canal treatment is based on the tooth location and seriousness of the infected tissue. Dental crowns are recommended for back molar teeth to better withstand the pressure of eating and grinding. 

What are the Complications of a Root Canal Procedure?

Delaying or avoiding root canal treatment can lead to tooth loss and other serious dental issues. While every invasive procedure carries risks, you may experience uncommon complications such as inflammation and reinfection in your treated tooth after a root canal procedure.

Is it Better to Have a Root Canal or Extraction?

Where root canal treatment is possible, it is preferred over tooth extraction. Teeth are their strongest in their natural form, and root canal therapy aims to maintain the natural structure of your tooth. The overall root canal cost and treatment are also less painful and have minimal complications as opposed to removing the infected tooth and replacing it with a dental implant. 

Can You Get a Root Canal and Crown on the Same Day?

Getting a root canal treatment and crown on the same day is possible. However, this option may not be available for every patient. A second appointment is usually necessary for fitting a permanent custom-made dental crown designed using the impression of your natural tooth.

Usually, after the infected pulp tissue from your tooth canal has been cleaned out, a temporary crown will be placed as protection over your natural tooth for 1-2 weeks before your permanent crown is fitted. 

How Long After a Root Canal Should You Get a Permanent Filling?

After your root canal procedure, your tooth canal will be filled temporarily to seal the hole and protect it against bacteria and infection. After the area has time to heal for 1-2 weeks, your dentist or endodontist will remove the temporary filling and restore your tooth with your desired permanent tooth filling.