Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment (endodontics) can save a tooth that's been infected by bacteria or badly damaged, so it doesn't need to be extracted.
You may need root canal therapy if you have a severe toothache or your tooth feels sensitive to hot and cold food and drinks. At Swish Dental, root canal treatments are performed by Dr Mo who has a Masters in Endodontics from 2003. He comes to our practice to perform only root canal treatments as he is an expert in root canal treatments in Brisbane.
We'll give you all the information you need about root canal treatments when you book an appointment at our clinics in Everton Park or Mitchelton. After performing your root canal, we'll restore your tooth to its original strength and appearance with a custom crown.
About Swish Dental
Root canal treatment in Brisbane
Root canal treatment can be a complex dental procedure, which is why it should be carried out by a dental professional with special training in endodontics.
When you book a consultation for root canal treatment in Brisbane, expert Dentist Dr Mo who has a special interest in endodontics will explain what the treatment involves and answer any questions you have. Dr Mo has over 20 years of experience treating patients with excellent treatment outcomes.
Do I need root canal treatment?
If you have tooth pain, sensitive teeth, swollen gums or other unusual symptoms, the dentists in Brisbane will give you a complete oral health assessment to try to identify the cause. This may include dental x-rays to give us a more detailed look at your teeth and determine if you're suitable for root canal treatment.
You may need a root canal if the centre of your tooth (the pulp) has become infected or damaged as a result of tooth decay, tooth wear or an injury. If you don't treat an infected tooth root in time, the tooth may become too badly damaged to save and the infection could spread to the surrounding teeth.
If a tooth is already too severely damaged to repair, we may have to recommend tooth extraction and replacement.
What does root canal treatment involve?
If you decide root canal treatment is right for you, the Dentists at Swish will develop your personalised treatment plan. This treatment is performed under local anaesthesia, or we can offer other sedation options.
Root canal treatment has 4 stages:
Removing the infection
After giving you a local anaesthetic or other sedative to numb the pain and help you relax, we'll access the infected pulp using a dental drill. We'll carefully remove all infected tissues, taking care to preserve as much of the healthy tooth as possible.
Preparing the canals
Once the infected or damaged tissues have been removed, we'll thoroughly clean and disinfect the root canals inside your teeth. We use sterilised instruments to make sure no bacteria is left behind.
Filling the canals
When the root canals have been cleared of bacteria and debris, we'll insert a synthetic rubber-like material into the space. This will fill the root canals to support your healthy tooth and seal it against further infections.
Restoring your tooth
Finally, we'll seal your tooth and restore its shape and appearance using a crown. We'll take an impression (mould) of your tooth and fit a temporary crown until your next appointment, when we can fit your permanent crown.
Is a root canal painful?
It's a common misconception that getting a root canal treatment is painful. In fact, this treatment removes the infected nerve of your tooth which takes away the pain and discomfort. After a root canal, your treated tooth will no longer have the same sensitivity to pressure or temperature.
What are the risks?
We'll take steps to prevent infection during your treatment and Dr Mo has a very high success rate with root canal patients. However, we'll still tell you about the possible risks and side-effects before you agree to the treatment.
If your gum or face becomes swollen after your treatment, this can usually be managed with over-the-counter medication. We recommend that you avoid eating overly hard, crunchy or sticky foods while your temporary crown is in place, as this could cause it to become damaged or dislodged.
If the treated tooth becomes infected again, we may be able to perform another root canal treatment or it may need to be extracted. We recommend that you visit us every 6 months for a comprehensive oral health assessment so we can check that your teeth and gums are healthy.
What does a root canal cost?
We can give you a quote for root canal treatment after we've examined your mouth and developed your treatment plan. This also includes the cost of a custom crown to seal your tooth.
We can also discuss insurance claims and the payment plans we offer to help make the root canal cost more affordable.
Costs for Root Canal Treatment in Brisbane
| Item number | Procedure | Cost From |
| 415 | Root canal preparation - one canal | $260 |
| 416 | Root canal preparation - each additional canal | $130 |
| 417 | Root canal obturation - one canal | $260 |
| 418 | Root canal obturation - each additional canal | $130 |
Every tooth is different and needs to be seen and x-rayed to have an accurate quote. Teeth have different numbers of canals that need to be treated.
A cost guide for root canal is listed below. The costs include a simple filling on top to prevent bacteria getting into the tooth:
Front teeth (incisors and canines have one canal) Minimum Fee $800 Maximum Fee $1200
Premolar (one to two canals) Minimum Fee $1100 Maximum Fee $1500
Molars (3-5 canals) Minimum Fee $1800 Maximum Fee $2200
Do I need a crown after root canal treatment?
In most cases you will need a crown after a root canal treatment on premolar and molar teeth to protect the tooth from breaking.
Below is an example of a tooth that broke 1 year after having root canal treatment as the patient forgot to have a crown done:
Talk to the Root Canal Expert Dentists in Brisbane
Book a consultation at your local Swish Dental clinic for more information about root canal treatment to help you decide if it's right for you. Once you book, our Endodontic Coordinator Mia will be in touch to provide you with all the information you require about the procedure.
Call our Everton Park clinic on (07) 3355 1422 or Mitchelton on (07) 3354 3341.