Mt Gravatt
Wondering what to expect from a root canal treatment? Our dentists help explain the procedure, the cost and the risks associated.
Root canals have commonly held a negative impression in people’s minds however the truth is, it’s a safe and common procedure dentists use to save your tooth from decay.
What is a root canal treatment?
A root canal is an endodontic treatment, carried out to prevent a badly damaged or infected tooth from being pulled out, or the infection from spreading. The root canal saves the tooth by removing diseased ‘pulp’ from inside your tooth, and replacing it with a filling.
My tooth has pulp?
Yes! Pulp exists inside each tooth, providing the tooth with nerves and nutrients. It also extends into the roots of your tooth, supplying oxygen and feeling to the tooth. Sometimes this pulp tissue can become damaged or diseased and you will need a root canal treatment to fix it. In the past, teeth with damaged pulps were removed, luckily today, root canal treatments provide dentists with a safe, alternate solution.
What causes infection in teeth?
The pulp in your teeth can become infected if bacteria gets in via untreated cavities or cracks in your tooth.
Watch out for these common causes for damage to your tooth pulp:
Tooth decay
Cracked teeth
A fall, accident or sporting injury
Gum disease
Grinding or clenching teeth
Tooth wear and tear
Failure to brush and floss regularly
How painful is a root canal?
A common fear surrounding root canals is that the treatment will be painful. When actually these treatments, when carried out by a trained dentist, should be relatively painless.
Any pain that you might feel will come from the tooth infection itself, and not from the root canal treatment. The treatment will not cause you any pain, only help to alleviate it.
Your dentist will relieve any pain of the treatment by numbing the tooth and surrounding area with local anesthesia before the procedure, so it will not cause you any discomfort.
After the root canal treatment, some tenderness is normal however this is temporary, and over the counter pain medication should be enough to relieve it.
What is the cost of a root canal treatment?
A front root canal costs $990 and a back root canal costs $1390.
The difference is due to the back teeth having more roots and are more complex than front teeth. Getting treatment from a root canal specialist like an endodontist would be a higher cost, however only patients with special circumstances are referred to these specialists.
I need help to pay for the cost of my root canal treatment
If you need help to pay for the cost of your root canal, you can always use an interest-free payment service via Humm, Afterpay or Zippay to help you balance the expense of the treatment. Learn more here.
Private health insurance can also help pay for root canal treatment if you get extras cover that includes cover for root canals.
Unfortunately, Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of most dental services the way it does with other health services so you won’t be able to use that to help pay for a root canal.
Root Canal Therapy FAQs
How Do I Know If I Need A Root Canal?
These are the most common symptoms of an injured or damaged pulp needing a root canal:
Pain when biting down and chewing
Oversensitivity and lingering pain with hot or cold food or beverages
Facial swelling
It is recommended that you consult a Fix Dental dentist if you are experiencing pain or discomfort.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Root Canal?
A root canal treatment usually involves 1-3 visits to the dentist, and the procedure takes 30-90 minutes.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From A Root Canal?
After a root canal the recovery is minimal; you should be feeling completely back to normal after just a few days. Slight inflammation is normal and can be treated with over the counter painkillers.
Is It Necessary To Get A Root Canal?
Yes. An untreated infection in your tooth can spread from the roots of the tooth to vulnerable tissues in the body. It is necessary to get a root canal to stop the infection from worsening and prevent tooth loss.
What Are The Potential Side Effects Of A Root Canal?
Returned infection is a possible, although uncommon side effect of root canal treatment. If you’re concerned about the side effects of root canal treatment, you should seek advice from your Fix Dental dentist.
What Are The Potential Risks Of A Root Canal?
On average, over 95% of root canal treatments are completed successfully. Rarely, a tooth may require a repeated treatment if reinfection occurs. This can happen if a crack forms in the tooth or the seal on top of the root canal fails and bacteria leak back inside.
Learn More
Are you looking for a modern and professional dentist who will look after your root canal treatment? Book online or call one of our friendly Brisbane clinics to reserve a consultation with one of our dentists.
Learn more about root canal therapy on our information page.
Dentist Appointments In Brisbane
Book your next Brisbane dentist appointment online or call our friendly reception.
Fix Dental Chermside: 07 3520 4078.
Fix Dental Mount Gravatt: (07) 3520 4088
Afterpay, Zip, Humm & other interest-free payment plans available in both of our Brisbane dental clinics.