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Root canal treatment in Lansvale, Sydney

Root Canal
Treatment

Keep your own tooth, lose the toothache

Being told you need a root canal can sound alarming, but root canal treatment is a routine procedure that removes infection from inside a tooth so you can keep it. At Odontologie Dental Care on the Hume Highway in Lansvale, our dentists numb the tooth thoroughly, explain each step as they go and give you a written estimate before treatment begins. Most root canals here are completed in one or two visits.

Front tooth from $1,100, molar from $2,000
X-rays and 3D CBCT scans taken in the practice
IV sedation available for anxious patients

Book an Appointment (02) 9725 6241

New patients welcome

New to Odontologie?

Book our new patient offer today to receive:

Comprehensive Dental Examination
Scale, Clean and Polish
2x Bitewing X-rays (if required)
Fluoride Treatment

Book New Patient Offer (02) 9725 6241

*Must be quoted at the time of phone booking. If not quoted, the full fee may apply. Offer is only available with selected dentists. If booked with a non-selected dentist, a member of staff will contact you.

$249 Check-Up and Clean Select “New Patient Offer” when booking.

Transparent pricing

Root canal cost in Sydney's south-west

Treatment	Guide
Front tooth root canal	From $1,100
Molar root canal	From $2,000

A front tooth usually has one canal, while a molar has three or more, which is why molars cost more. The final price depends on the tooth, how many visits it needs and whether a crown follows, which is quoted separately. We confirm the cost in writing after examining the tooth. Root canal treatment is usually major dental under health fund extras, and we accept all major funds.

Spread the cost of root canal treatment and the crown that often follows: humm or Afterpay let you pay over time, subject to approval.

Cross-section illustration of a molar with a fine instrument cleaning infected pulp from the root canal

What it is

What is a root canal?

Inside every tooth is a soft core called the pulp, made of nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. It runs from the chamber under the biting surface down narrow channels in each root, the root canals. When bacteria reach the pulp through deep decay, a crack or an injury, it becomes inflamed or infected. Unlike gum or skin, pulp cannot heal itself once that happens.

Root canal treatment, also called endodontic treatment, removes the damaged pulp, cleans and disinfects the canals, then fills and seals them so bacteria cannot get back in. The tooth stays in your jaw, keeps chewing normally and holds the teeth beside it in place, which is usually a better long-term result than taking it out and replacing it.

A man presses on his jaw in pain while chewing at the family dinner table

Do I need one?

Signs you may need root canal treatment

Some infected teeth announce themselves loudly. Others cause no pain at all and only show up on an X-ray at a check-up. The signs we see most often are:

A deep, throbbing toothache, or pain that wakes you at night
Pain when you bite or press on one tooth
Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers long after the drink is finished
Swelling or tenderness in the gum, or a pimple-like bump that leaks
A bad taste or smell coming from one area of the mouth
A tooth that has darkened or turned grey
A cracked or chipped tooth, or one with a very deep filling

Common causes are deep decay that reaches the pulp, cracks, a knock to the mouth and a tooth that has had several large fillings over the years. If the pain is severe or your face is swelling, call us and ask for an emergency appointment.

A dental assistant positions a patient in the 3D CBCT scanner

Why Odontologie

Root canal care close to Cabramatta and Liverpool

Imaging under one roof. Digital X-rays and 3D CBCT scans are taken in our Lansvale practice, so we can see how many canals a tooth has and how far the infection has spread without sending you to an imaging centre.

An experienced team. Dr George Sakoutis has practised in Lansvale since 1988, and Dr Joseph Nguyễn has completed further courses in endodontics. Dr Dennis Lam has a particular interest in restorative dentistry and puts nervous patients at ease, in English, Mandarin or Cantonese.

Comfort and clear costs. We explain the treatment before we start, check in with you throughout and give you a written estimate. Patients visit us from Cabramatta, about a kilometre away, Canley Heights, Chipping Norton, Liverpool and Edensor Park.

A dentist reassuring a patient in the treatment chair as she explains how the tooth will be numbed

Comfort

Is a root canal painful?

With local anaesthetic, most people find a root canal feels much like having a filling. The infection that brought you in is usually far more uncomfortable than the treatment that clears it. A rubber dam keeps the tooth dry and stops anything going down your throat, and you can raise a hand to pause at any time.

For people who find dental visits very hard, IV sedation is available, which keeps you deeply relaxed for the appointment. Afterwards the tooth may be tender for a few days, and over-the-counter pain relief taken as directed usually manages it well.

How it works

The root canal procedure at Odontologie

Depending on the tooth and how severe the infection is, treatment takes one or two visits, sometimes three. These are the four stages.

Molar cut away to show red, inflamed pulp and the small opening drilled through the biting surface

Examination and anaesthetic

We examine the tooth, take X-rays and explain the plan. Once the tooth is numb, a rubber dam isolates it and a small opening is made to reach the pulp chamber.

Cross-section showing fine files removing infected pulp from each root canal

Cleaning the canals

Fine files remove the infected pulp and shape each canal, while antibacterial rinses flush out the bacteria. An infected molar may get a medicated dressing and a temporary filling between visits.

Cross-section of the cleaned canals filled and sealed with root filling material

Filling and sealing

When the tooth is settled, the canals are filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha and sealed to stop reinfection. The opening is closed with a filling.

Cross-section of the root-filled tooth restored with a crown

Crown and review

Back teeth usually need a crown to protect them from cracking. We review healing, and a same-day CEREC crown can often be made for suitable teeth.

Getting ready

Before your root canal appointment

A little preparation makes the day easier:

Share your health history - tell us about medicines, allergies and conditions so we can plan safely
Eat first - have a light meal beforehand unless you are having IV sedation, which needs fasting
Arrange a lift if sedated - an adult must drive you home and stay with you
Plan an easy afternoon - the numbness takes a few hours to wear off

Related care

Treatments that go with a root canal

Saving a tooth is sometimes one step in a bigger plan. These are the treatments Lansvale patients most often need alongside a root canal.

Dental crowns

A crown covers the treated tooth and gives it the strength to handle normal chewing again.

Learn more

Same-day crowns

For suitable teeth, a CEREC crown is scanned, milled and fitted in a single visit.

Learn more

Tooth extraction

When a tooth cannot be saved, we remove it gently and plan how to replace it.

Learn more

Tooth fillings

Treating decay early with a white filling can stop it reaching the nerve at all.

Learn more

Good to know

Root Canal Treatment - frequently asked

How much does a root canal cost?

At Odontologie a front tooth root canal starts from $1,100 and a molar from $2,000 as a guide, because molars have more canals to clean. A crown afterwards is quoted separately. You receive a written estimate after the examination, and payment plans are available.

How do I know if I need a root canal?

Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, pain when biting, a darkening tooth, gum swelling or a small bump on the gum near one tooth are the usual signs. Some infected teeth cause no symptoms and only appear on an X-ray, so an examination is the only way to be sure.

What causes a tooth to need a root canal?

Deep decay that reaches the pulp is the most common cause. Cracks, chips, a blow to the mouth and repeated large fillings on the same tooth can also let bacteria in or damage the nerve.

How long does a root canal last?

A root-filled tooth that is protected with a crown and looked after with brushing, flossing and check-ups can last for many years, often for life. The biggest risk is the tooth cracking, which is why a crown is usually recommended for back teeth.

Is a root canal painful?

The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic, so most people find it similar to having a filling. Some tenderness for a few days afterwards is normal. If you are anxious, IV sedation is available.

How many visits does root canal treatment take?

Most root canals at Odontologie take one or two visits. A straightforward front tooth may be finished in one appointment, while an infected molar often needs a dressing and a second visit to complete.

Do I need a crown after a root canal?

Usually yes for molars and premolars. Removing the infected pulp leaves the tooth hollower and more brittle, and a crown holds it together. Front teeth can sometimes be restored with a filling instead. Our dental crowns page explains the options.

Will my tooth go dark after root canal treatment?

With modern techniques it is less common than it used to be, but a root-filled tooth can slowly discolour. If that happens, internal whitening, a veneer or a crown can restore its colour.

What if I do not have the treatment?

An infected pulp will not heal on its own. Left untreated, the infection can spread into the bone and form an abscess, and the tooth will eventually need to be removed. Keeping your own tooth is usually the better choice where it can be saved reliably.

Are there risks with root canal treatment?

As with any dental treatment there are risks, including tenderness afterwards, infection returning or the tooth fracturing later. Most root canals are successful, but results vary from person to person. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Your next step

Toothache that will not settle? Let's look at saving the tooth

Book an appointment at our Lansvale practice. We examine the tooth, take an X-ray and tell you honestly whether root canal treatment can save it, with your comfort options and a written estimate before anything starts.

Book an Appointment (02) 9725 6241

Keep your natural tooth where possible
Local anaesthetic, with IV sedation available
Front tooth from $1,100, molar from $2,000
All major health funds accepted

We accept all major health funds

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