Root canal treatment in Moorooka

When a tooth needs it

Inside every tooth is soft tissue called the pulp, which contains the nerve. Deep decay, a crack or a knock can let bacteria in, and the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. Signs include:

• a toothache that lingers or throbs, especially at night
• pain with hot or cold that stays after the food or drink is gone
• swelling in the gum near the tooth, or a pimple-like bump on the gum
• a tooth that has turned grey after an injury

Sometimes there are no symptoms at all, and the problem shows up on an x-ray at a check-up.

What happens

1. We examine the tooth and take an x-ray to confirm what’s going on, then explain your options and the cost.
2. We numb the tooth with local anaesthetic.
3. We clean out the infected pulp and shape the canals inside the root.
4. We seal the canals with a special filling.
5. Because a root-filled tooth can be more brittle, back teeth often need a crown afterwards to protect them. We’ll tell you if yours does.

Root canal treatment often takes more than one visit. We’ll explain each step before we start it.

Why save the tooth?

Taking a tooth out is quicker, but the gap it leaves can let neighbouring teeth drift, make chewing harder, and usually needs filling later with a bridge, denture or implant. Keeping your own tooth, where that’s possible, is often the better long-term option. We’ll go through both options with you, with the costs, so you can decide.

You can claim your health fund rebate on the spot with HICAPS.

After your treatment

• The tooth can feel tender for a few days. Over-the-counter pain relief, taken as the packet directs, usually helps.
• Until the tooth has its permanent filling or crown, avoid chewing hard food on that side — a root-filled tooth can be brittle.
• Call us if swelling gets worse, the pain is increasing rather than settling after a few days, or a temporary filling comes out.

What it costs, and what your fund pays

The cost depends mainly on the tooth: front teeth usually have one canal, back teeth up to four, and each takes more time. A crown afterwards is a separate cost. We’ll take an x-ray, then give you the cost of the whole plan before we start.

Root canal treatment usually falls under “major dental” in health fund extras, so how much you get back depends on your level of cover and how long you’ve held it. You can claim on the spot with HICAPS.