Root Canal Treatment in Melbourne

The aim is straightforward: remove the infection from inside the tooth and seal it so bacteria can't get back in. Despite its reputation, the root canal procedure follows a routine set of steps.

Your dentist starts by numbing the tooth with local anaesthetic, so you don't feel the work itself. The tooth is then isolated with a dental dam, a thin sheet that keeps it clean and dry while treatment is carried out. An X-ray helps map the inside of the tooth before anything begins.

From there, the dentist opens the top of the tooth and removes the infected pulp, the soft tissue that holds the nerve and blood supply. The narrow canals inside the roots are cleaned and shaped, then filled with a rubber-like material called gutta percha and sealed. A temporary filling often closes the tooth while it settles.

Because a treated tooth can become brittle, it usually needs a permanent restoration afterwards, either a permanent filling or, more often, a crown to protect it and return normal function. Most root canal treatment is finished in one or two visits, depending on the tooth and how much infection is present.

Concerns about pain are common and understandable. In practice, the procedure itself is carried out under local anaesthetic. With the tooth fully numbed under local anaesthetic, most patients report little discomfort during the appointment itself. The ache that brings people in is caused by the infection inside the tooth, and the aim of the treatment is to clear that infection and resolve the underlying pain.

Afterwards, it's normal to feel some tenderness or mild discomfort around the tooth for a day or two, which most people manage with over-the-counter pain relief. Most are back to their usual routine the next day. Comfort and recovery do vary from one person to the next, which is why your dentist talks you through what to expect, including any aftercare for your tooth.

A few things drive the cost, and they're worth understanding before you assume a figure you've seen elsewhere applies to you. It depends on the tooth and the number of canals. See our root canal cost page. The biggest factor is which tooth needs treatment. A front tooth has a single canal and is more straightforward, while a molar at the back has several canals and takes longer to treat. How involved the infection is matters too, as does whether the tooth needs a crown afterwards to protect it.

Because of that, Gorgeous Smiles gives you a clear written quote before any treatment begins, once the dentist has examined the tooth and taken an X-ray. You'll know what's involved and what it costs before you decide to go ahead.

Medicare doesn't cover routine root canal treatment. Most private health funds with dental extras pay a rebate, so it's worth checking your level of cover with your fund.

The first step is to have the tooth looked at, so a dentist can confirm whether a root canal will save it and settle the pain. Booking an assessment is also the point where you'll get your written quote, before any treatment goes ahead.

Gorgeous Smiles is a dental practice in the heart of the Melbourne CBD at 121 Exhibition Street, with AHPRA-registered dentists and an easy walk from public transport across the city. If you're in pain or think you might need a root canal, call (03) 9042 0483 or book online to arrange a time.