Root Canal Perth
If you are reading this with a throbbing tooth, you are not alone, and you are probably dreading the words root canal more than the pain itself.
A root canal procedure does not cause pain; it takes it away. At our boutique practice on St Georges Terrace, we have been looking after Perth patients for 50 years, and saving an infected tooth is one of the most common things we do.
Or call us on (08) 9321 5721
What Is a Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment, also called root canal therapy or endodontic treatment, is a dental procedure that removes infected or damaged pulp from inside a tooth so it can be saved rather than extracted.
The tooth’s pulp holds the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels. When bacteria reach it, the damaged pulp causes that deep ache.
The treatment process is done under a rubber dam, keeping the affected area clean and dry.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
- Persistent tooth pain, often worse at night
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
- Sharp pain when biting on one damaged tooth
- Swollen or tender gums near the affected tooth
- A pimple-like bump on the gum
- A darkened tooth, or adjacent teeth aching
Facial swelling, fever or trouble swallowing needs urgent dental care. Please call us on (08) 9321 5721 as soon as possible.
Not every case hurts. Some turn up at a routine check-up before any persistent pain starts.
When a Root Canal is Needed
Deep Decay
Deep decay reaching the nerve, by far the most common cause.
A Large or Failing Filling
A large or failing filling close to the pulp.
Cracked Teeth
Cracked teeth, where bacteria travel down the fracture line.
Dental Trauma
Dental trauma, such as a knock to the mouth, sometimes years earlier.
An infected or damaged tooth will not settle by itself. It becomes a dental abscess, then tooth loss.
How Much a Root Canal Costs
| Tooth | Canals | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Front tooth | 1 | $800 |
| Premolar | 1 to 2 | $1200 |
| Molar | 3 to 4 | $2000 |
| Retreatment | Varies | Usually referred |
Consultation and X-rays are included in this cost.
Often a crown is required following a root canal, and our crowns start from $1800.
Health Funds and Payment Options at Perth City Dental
Medicare does not cover routine adult dental treatment, so private cover does the heavy lifting.
- Preferred provider for Bupa, HBF and HCF, which reduces your gap
- Claim on the spot with HICAPS
- Rebates run $150 to $1200 and vary depending on your cover
- Fund My Dental covers $1,000 or $2,000 over six months, interest-free
The Root Canal Process at Perth City Dental
Diagnosis
We examine, X-ray, and test the nerve so we treat the right tooth involved. For difficult anatomy, 3D CBCT imaging shows the roots.
Anaesthetic and Isolation
We numb the tooth and place the rubber dam.
Cleaning and Shaping
We remove the infected pulp and shape each canal under magnification.
Dressing Between Visits
Your tooth carries an antibiotic dressing and a temporary filling while the infection clears.
Filling and Sealing
We use gutta-percha, a biocompatible material, to prevent reinfection.
Restoring the Tooth
A dental crown is usually recommended on molars because a treated tooth becomes brittle, and crowns prevent further damage.
The root canal process takes one to three appointments of 60 to 90 minutes.
Looking After Your Tooth Afterwards
- Wait until the numbness goes before eating
- Avoid hard foods and chew on the other side
- Expect tenderness for several days
- Call us if the temporary filling comes out or pain worsens
Most patients feel better within days, and with a proper restoration and good oral health habits, a treated tooth lasts a lifetime.
Why Choose Perth City Dental for Your Root Canal
The Same Dentist Each Visit
A root canal runs across two or three visits, so continuity matters more than a filling. You see the same dentist from our experienced team each time, not whoever is free, at a practice a short walk from Perth Underground.
A Written Quote, Crown Included
You get a written quote with item numbers, including the crown, the add-on most quotes bury, and we fit the crown here alongside your other dental services.
Honest Advice About Your Tooth
If the tooth cannot be saved, or your case belongs with a specialist, our dental team will say so before treatment begins.
Frequently Asked Questions about Root Canal Treatments in Perth
Almost always, yes. Saving the tooth works out cheaper over time than losing it. Once a tooth is gone, the gap does not stay harmless: the adjacent teeth drift, chewing ability drops, and replacing it with dental implants or a bridge costs more and takes months of appointments.
Nothing we build performs quite like your own natural tooth.
There is very little to do. Eat beforehand, because your mouth will be numb for a few hours afterwards. Take your usual medications and tell us about all of them, particularly blood thinners.
If you are feeling nervous, please tell us when you book. You are not alone in that, and knowing beforehand means we can allow extra time, talk you through each step before it happens, and stop whenever you need a moment.
Realistically, extraction, or in early cases, monitoring the tooth and treating the decay before it reaches the nerve. Once the infected pulp is involved, a simple filling will not fix it, and antibiotics only buy time because the infection returns once they stop.
If you would rather not go ahead, that is completely your call. We will talk you through every option honestly, explain the signs to keep an eye on, and give you as much time as you need to decide what feels right for you.
When too little tooth is left to restore afterwards, when the root is fractured below the gum line, or when the supporting bone has already been lost. We check whether the tooth is restorable before treatment begins rather than starting and finding out.
If it cannot be saved, we will say so and talk you through replacing it.
Extraction is faster and cheaper on the day, and sometimes it genuinely is the right call. But it starts a longer chain: tooth loss, drifting adjacent teeth, bone shrinking under the gap, and eventually more extensive treatment to replace what was removed.
Where the tooth is restorable, keeping it is usually the better outcome.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is general in nature and is not a substitute for professional dental advice. Results may vary, and a consultation is required to assess suitability.