Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment has been a fearful term for many patients. They associate root canal treatment with pain which is a large misconception in the community. A root canal treatment may be recommended by your dentist if the hole within a tooth has become too deep and is now affecting the nerve within the tooth. It is essentially an infection within the tooth, and a simple filling is insufficient to rid the infection. With the advent of new technology, Integrity Dental is able to painlessly and efficiently treat the tooth. Most patients are surprised after their procedure and are very grateful for the being so gentle.

Getting a root canal treatment at Integrity Dental is pretty straightforward. It's a dental procedure that involves the removal of the dental pulp to save a dead or dying tooth. The dental pulp is the innermost part of the tooth and comprises nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue that support tooth growth.

The infected or dead pulp needs to be removed from the affected tooth before the tooth cavity can be filled and sealed to prevent further infection. Now, this all sounds more frightening than it actually is, although you might experience some mild discomfort during the procedure. At Integrity Dental, our expert dentist performs all root canal treatments, so you know you're in good hands.

The root canal procedure in detail

Before performing the root canal, the dentist uses a local anaesthetic to numb the affected area of your mouth. However, if you feel anxious, you also have the option to request dental sedation so you’ll be relaxed throughout the procedure.

This is then followed by the steps below:

An X-ray of the tooth is taken to see how deep the canal is and ensure it is cleaned properly.
The dentist drills a small hole into the affected tooth and removes any infected or dead pulp.
The canal is flushed out and cleaned.
The area is filled and sealed.
The opening to the tooth is also cleaned, filled and sealed.

A root canal treatment in Liverpool (or elsewhere) usually requires three dental visits to finish. During your second visit to Integrity Dental, our dentist will install a dental crown on your tooth for protection and support. Once that is done, you can use your tooth just like the rest of your teeth.

The cost of a root canal

At Integrity Dental, the overall cost of a root canal treatment is determined by:

Which teeth are affected – the kind of tooth being treated determines the complexity and cost of the procedure
Whether you need a filling and/or a crown

If you want to know more details about root canal treatment in Liverpool, please contact Integrity Dental.

Root Canal Treatment in Baulkham Hills and Dural

Root canal treatment saves a tooth whose nerve has become inflamed or infected, instead of taking it out. At Integrity Dental's Baulkham Hills and Dural practices, it's done under local anaesthetic, and the first visit usually gets you out of pain straight away.

Book online Baulkham Hills (02) 9686 7288 Dural (02) 9651 4488

Caring for Hills District families since 1987
Open Saturdays 8am to 2pm
Two practices: Baulkham Hills and Dural

In short: Root canal treatment removes infected or inflamed pulp from inside a tooth, cleans and disinfects the canals, and seals them. It's done under local anaesthetic, usually over one to three visits, and most patients say it feels similar to having a filling. A crown is often recommended afterwards to protect the tooth. Integrity Dental provides root canal treatment at Baulkham Hills and Dural.

Signs you might need a root canal

The classic sign is a toothache that throbs, lingers after hot or cold, or wakes you at night. Other signs include pain when biting, a tooth that has darkened, swelling or a pimple on the gum near the tooth, and a bad taste that keeps coming back.

Sometimes there are no symptoms at all, and the problem shows up on an X-ray at a routine check-up. That's one more reason regular visits matter.

Why save the tooth?

Taking a tooth out can seem quicker and cheaper on the day. But a missing tooth usually needs replacing to stop the neighbouring teeth drifting and to keep chewing comfortable, and an implant or bridge costs more than root canal treatment and a crown.

Your own tooth, properly treated and restored, is usually the best option. Where a tooth can't be predictably saved, we'll tell you and talk through the alternatives.

Why it has a bad reputation

Root canals got their reputation from the pain of the infection that comes before them, not the treatment. Modern anaesthetic and techniques mean the procedure itself is generally comfortable. Most people feel better after the first visit than before it.

What happens during root canal treatment

Diagnosis. We examine the tooth and take X-rays to see the infection and the shape of the roots.
Anaesthetic and isolation. The tooth is numbed, and a thin rubber sheet keeps it clean and dry.
Cleaning the canals. We remove the inflamed or infected pulp, then shape and disinfect the canals.
Medication and temporary filling. In many cases, medication is placed and the tooth is sealed between visits while it settles.
Final filling. The canals are filled and sealed permanently.
Protecting the tooth. Back teeth that have had root canal treatment are more brittle, so we often recommend a crown.

Recovery and aftercare

The tooth may feel tender to bite on for a few days. Over-the-counter pain relief usually manages this. Avoid chewing hard food on that side until the final filling or crown is in place, because a temporary filling isn't as strong.

Risks and limitations

Root canal treatment has a good success rate, but it isn't guaranteed. Risks include the infection persisting, a canal that's difficult to locate or calcified, an instrument fracturing in a canal and the tooth cracking later, which is why a crown is often advised. Some cases are best referred to a specialist endodontist, and we'll tell you if yours is one of them. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Fees, health funds and payment plans

Root canal fees depend on which tooth it is (back teeth have more canals) and how many visits are needed. A crown is a separate cost. You'll get an itemised estimate first. Many health funds with major dental cover contribute, and interest-free payment plans are available.

Where we offer this

Available at both Integrity Dental practices. Principal dentist Dr Cal leads the team at Baulkham Hills and Dural.

Integrity Dental Baulkham Hills

48 Seven Hills Road, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153
Phone (02) 9686 7288
Mon to Fri 9:00am to 5:00pm, Sat 8:00am to 2:00pm

Integrity Dental Dural

Cnr Kenthurst Rd & Maple St, Round Corner, Dural NSW 2158
Phone (02) 9651 4488
Mon to Fri 9:00am to 5:00pm, Sat 8:00am to 2:00pm

Frequently asked questions

Does a root canal hurt?

Root canal treatment is done under local anaesthetic, and most patients say it feels similar to having a filling. The tooth may be tender for a few days afterwards.

How many visits does a root canal take?

Most root canal treatments take one to three visits, depending on the tooth and how much infection is present.

Do I need a crown after a root canal?

Back teeth usually need a crown after root canal treatment because they become more brittle and can crack. Front teeth may only need a filling.

Is it better to pull the tooth or have a root canal?

Saving your natural tooth with root canal treatment is usually better long term than extraction, which leaves a gap that often needs an implant or bridge. We'll advise if a tooth can't be predictably saved.

Can I get same-day root canal treatment for a toothache?

Often, yes. If you're in pain, call Integrity Dental Baulkham Hills on (02) 9686 7288 or Dural on (02) 9651 4488 early, and we'll aim to start treatment that day to relieve the pain.

How long does a root canal treated tooth last?

A well-treated and properly restored root canal tooth can last for many years, often a lifetime with good care. A crown helps protect it from cracking.