Root Canal Treatment in Canning Vale
Keeping your smile whole, in comfortable, capable hands.
When decay works its way through the enamel and into the nerve chamber of a tooth or a crack or old trauma damages it — it can lead to a painful abscess. A filling or crown can repair the outside of a tooth, but once the inside is infected, root canal treatment (endodontic therapy) is what stands between you and losing the tooth altogether.
We know root canals have a reputation. Ours don't live up to it. Every root canal at our Canning Vale, Thornlie and Southern River practice is carried out by our own dentists, start to finish — no referral to a separate specialist, no second practice to visit.
What is a root canal?
Root canal treatment involves opening the tooth and removing the dying or infected tissue inside the nerve canal. Once the inner chamber is fully cleaned and medicated, we seal it off to prevent further infection. The tooth is no longer "alive" in the nerve sense, but it stays stable and fully functional for years afterwards.
Most root canal patients will need a crown fitted afterwards to protect the tooth's now-brittle enamel from wearing down. Depending on where the tooth sits in your mouth, we'll usually recommend a durable porcelain crown that matches the rest of your smile.
Signs you might need a root canal
Darkening of the tooth
A small pimple (fistula) on the gum near the tooth
Severe pain or sensitivity
Swelling in the gum or the side of the face
A large cavity or a visible fracture
How we keep you comfortable
There's a common myth that root canals are agonising. In reality, modern techniques have made the procedure far gentler and more efficient than its reputation suggests. If you're anxious about the appointment, we offer inhalation sedation to help you relax throughout.
Straightforward root canals are routine — teeth with multiple roots simply take a little longer in the chair, which we'll factor into your appointment time so you're never rushed.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. We'll always talk you through your options before proceeding.
Why save the tooth instead of extracting it?
- Removes the source of pain — once the infected pulp is gone, so is the pain it was causing
- Keeps your natural tooth — left untreated, the infection worsens and the tooth is usually lost
- Avoids more invasive treatment down the track — the alternative to a root canal is typically an implant or bridge, which is a bigger procedure than saving what you've already got
What it costs
Cost depends on the tooth, how many canals it has, whether extra appointments or sedation are needed, and whether a crown follow-up is required.
If cost is a concern, we offer SmileFund, an interest-free payment plan that lets you get treated now and pay it off over time.
Frequently asked questions
A root canal treatment in Australia depends on a number of factors, such as how many canals the tooth has (one canal makes for a simpler and faster procedure than a tooth with four canals), and whether you need additional appointments or sedation.
You may also need to factor in the cost of getting a dental crown, as this is an important follow-up to most root canals and can add an additional cost.
If you need financial assistance for your treatment, we offer an exclusive interest-free payment plan called SmileFund. With SmileFund, you can undergo your dental treatment and pay it off over time.
Yes. It removes what can be severe dental pain, stops the infection spreading, and lets you keep your natural tooth rather than needing a more invasive replacement later.
A dentist and an Endodontist have the same basic training and skills, but an Endodontist specialises in treatment of the soft tissues in the teeth. That’s why an Endodontist will often perform complicated root canal procedures or other treatments that involve the soft tissue in the tooth.
The most common procedure that an Endodontist performs is a root canal, but they can also fix cracked teeth, place dental implants, do root canal re-treatments, root end surgeries, and anything else relating to the soft tissue inside your tooth.
Sometimes, your dentist may not have the additional training or knowledge they would need in order to perform a treatment. This is most often the case for complicated root canal treatments, but your dentist may also send you to an Endodontist for other procedures, such as fixing an old root canal or placing a dental implant.
In most cases, yes — a crown protects the treated tooth's enamel, which becomes more brittle once the nerve tissue is gone.
A straightforward, single-root tooth is usually quicker; teeth with multiple canals take longer. We'll give you a time estimate before we start.
Think You Might Need a Root Canal?
Book an appointment with our Canning Vale team!
Let's find out what's really going on comfortably and without the trip to a separate specialist.