Root Canal
Therapy
in Ellenbrook

Scared of losing a tooth due to decay or injury? Don’t let the fear get the better of you! With Ellen Stirling Dental’s advanced root canal therapy in Brabham, you can reclaim your functional tooth and regain your confidence once more.

What is
Root Canal Therapy?

Tooth decay, gum disease, or unfortunate accidents can cause more than physical discomfort but also compromise your oral health.

 

These dental issues can disrupt daily life, making even simple tasks challenging and severely impacting self-confidence. Plus, the damage extends deep within the original tooth’s roots, leading to severe tooth pain and potential tooth loss.

 

Fortunately, modern advancements in therapy and technology offer hope for the preservation of tooth loss. Root canal therapy, an endodontic procedure, provides an alternative to tooth extraction by removing active decay and infection deep within the tooth’s roots. The remaining normal teeth and roots are carefully filled through thorough treatment, preserving their integrity. This procedure not only restores proper oral function but also boosts self-confidence, allowing individuals to enjoy the benefits of a healthy, confident smile once again.

Benefits of
Root Canal Therapy

Let’s discover the game-changing benefits of root canal therapy in Brabham:

Why Choose
Ellen Stirling Dental
in Ellenbrook for Your Root Canal Therapy

Looking for safe and high-quality root canal therapy in Brabham? Ellen Stirling Dental can be your trusted dental partner.

 

Our experienced team is equipped with the necessary skills to perform meticulous root canal treatments, delivering unparalleled oral care with each procedure. We are dedicated to creating an environment of comfort and understanding, attentively addressing your concerns and tailoring treatment plans to your unique dental needs.

 

In line with this, our clinic is recognised for its commitment to high standards, reflected in our investment in advanced dental technology and our strict adherence to sterilisation protocols. This is particularly crucial during intricate procedures like root canal treatments, where maintaining a sterile environment is vital to maximising results and patient safety.

 

Make your dental health a priority, reach out to us at (08) 6192 1036 or conveniently schedule your dental appointment online.

why choose ellen stirling dental

FAQ'S About Root Canal

Root canal therapy is needed when the pulp of the tooth, the innermost part that contains nerves and blood vessels, becomes infected or inflamed. This can occur due to various reasons, including deep tooth decay that reaches the pulp, repeated dental procedures on the same tooth, physical damage such as cracks or chips that expose the pulp to bacteria, or severe gum disease that allows bacteria to reach the roots. Additionally, an injury to a tooth might damage the pulp even if there are no visible cracks or chips.

In any of the above cases, root canal therapy is necessary to remove pain and infection, as well as save the tooth from extraction. 

 

Being aware of the signs that you might need root canal treatment is important, as early detection can significantly improve the outcome of the procedure. Here are some signs to look out for:

  • Persistent toothache: One of the obvious signs that you might need root canal therapy is severe toothache, especially when chewing or applying pressure to the tooth. This pain can range from mild to severe and may come and go or be constant.

  • Sensitivity to heat or cold: If you’re experiencing prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, it could be a sign that you require root canal therapy. This sensitivity might feel like a sharp, shooting pain that lingers long after the temperature factor has been removed.
  • Swollen, tender gums: Swelling or tenderness in the gums around a tooth could be a sign of infection that has spread from the tooth’s pulp, suggesting the need for root canal therapy.

  • Dark discolouration of the tooth: Tooth discolouration can be a sign of a damaged or dead pulp, often indicating the need for root canal therapy.

Remember, it’s essential to consult a dental professional if you experience any of these symptoms. Only they can diagnose the need for root canal therapy accurately and propose the right treatment plan based on your needs.

 

To begin with, the procedure begins with a thorough examination. Your dentist will take X-rays to get a detailed view of your tooth and the surrounding bone. These images will help them understand the extent of the damage and plan the treatment.

Once the need for a root canal is confirmed, the actual procedure will begin. The dentist will start by applying local anaesthesia to numb the area around the unhealthy teeth, and keep you comfortable throughout the process. After the area is numb, a small protective sheet called a dental dam is placed over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and free of saliva during the procedure.

With everything in place, the dentist will create an opening at the top of the tooth to access the infected pulp. Using a series of small, flexible instruments, the dentist will carefully remove the damaged pulp from the tooth’s root canals. They will clean, enlarge, and shape these canals so all the infected material is removed.

After the canals have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, they will be filled with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. This special material helps to seal the canals and prevent future infections. A temporary filling is then placed to close the opening on top of the tooth.

Once the tooth is fully healed, you’ll return to the dentist to replace the temporary tooth filling with a final one. In many cases, the dentist may recommend placing a crown on the tooth to protect it from fracture and restore it to full function.

While root canal therapy is a common and generally safe procedure, like any dental treatment, it does carry some potential risks. Understanding these possible complications is essential to make an informed decision about your treatment.

  • Incomplete cleaning: If the root canals are particularly narrow or curved, it may be challenging for the dentist to clean them thoroughly. In addition, this could leave some infected tissue behind, which could cause the infection to return.

  • Crack in the root: Sometimes, a tooth may have a tiny, invisible crack in one of its roots. As a result, this may allow bacteria to re-enter the tooth after treatment, leading to potential reinfection.
  • Tooth fracture: A tooth can become brittle and more prone to fracture after root canal therapy. For this reason, our dentists in Brabham recommend a crown to protect and strengthen the tooth after treatment.
  • Reinfection: If the sealing on the tooth fails over time or a new cavity reaches the centre of the tooth, bacteria can re-contaminate the tooth, leading to reinfection.

While these risks exist, it’s important to note that root canal therapy is a routine procedure with a high-efficiency rate. Our dentists in Brabham will discuss these potential risks with you and take preventative measures to minimise them. 

Root canal therapy is generally performed by general dentists and endodontists. General dentists have the skills and knowledge to carry out safe and effective root canal therapy. However, in complex cases, they might refer the patient to an endodontist, a specialist with advanced training in diagnosing tooth pain and performing procedures related to the tooth’s interior, including root canal therapy.

The cost of root canal therapy varies depending on several factors. These factors include the number of canal areas that need treatment and whether additional procedures, like the placement of a dental crown, are required.

On average, the cost of filling a single canal with a root canal filling material ranges between $600 and $750. If a dental crown is needed, which is often recommended to protect and strengthen the tooth after root canal therapy, the overall cost, including the root canal treatment and the crown, can range from $2,300 to $2,850.

It’s important to note that these are just averages, and costs may vary depending on the individual situation and complexity of the case. We highly encourage you to schedule an initial consultation with our professional team at Ellen Stirling Dental.

We will be delighted to assess your situation, recommend a treatment plan and provide an accurate price quote based on your situation.

Root canal therapy is generally considered a major dental procedure and is generally not covered under basic health fund policies.

You would need a major dental extras cover to get reimbursement for root canal therapy. This type of cover is designed to provide benefits for more extensive and expensive dental treatments, including root canal therapy.

A general dental extras policy, on the other hand, usually covers more routine and minor dental services such as regular check-ups, cleanings, and small fillings, but not major procedures like root canals. Speaking with your health fund provider is always recommended to understand what is and isn’t covered.

Root canal treatments are highly effective, but like any procedure, there can be instances where they may not address the issue completely, or complications may arise later. If a root canal fails, several symptoms may signal this.

  • Pain: You might experience persistent pain in the treated tooth or surrounding area. This pain could be a dull ache or a sharp, intense pain.
  • Sensitivity: The tooth might become overly sensitive, especially to hot or cold foods and drinks.
  • Swelling: Swelling could occur in the gum tissue around the treated tooth. This might be accompanied by tenderness when touched.
  • Discharge: There could be pus discharge, indicating an infection, from around the damaged tooth.
  • Boil or pimple on the gum: You might notice a recurring or persistent boil or pimple on the gum near the affected tooth. This is known as a dental abscess.
  • Discolouration of the tooth: The affected tooth might become discoloured or darkened.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to contact our dentists in Brabham as soon as possible. We can determine the cause of these symptoms and suggest the right tooth replacement options to restore your healthy mouth and oral health condition.

Yes, root canal treatment is generally a highly effective procedure. It’s designed to remove infection and inflammation from the tooth’s pulp, alleviating pain and saving the tooth from extraction.

The procedure has a high-efficiency rate. However, as with any dental procedure, the outcome of a root canal can depend on several factors, including the extent of the infection, the tooth’s location and structure, and the individual’s overall health. It’s also essential for patients to follow their oral surgeon’s post-treatment care instructions, including good oral hygiene practices and regular dental visits, to achieve lasting results.

The following are potential side effects of root canal therapy:

Post-operative pain or discomfort: This is one of the reported side effects of root canal therapy. Patients may experience pain or discomfort in the affected tooth and surrounding area for a few days post-procedure. However, this discomfort is generally manageable with over-the-counter medications.

Temporary tooth sensitivity: The entire tooth might become more sensitive, particularly when biting down. In most cases, this sensation subsides within a few days or weeks.

Inflammation: It’s common for the tissue surrounding the affected tooth to have signs of inflammation. This is a normal part of the body’s healing process.

Numbness: Depending on the type and quantity of anesthetic used during the procedure, patients may experience temporary numbness in the mouth.

Infection: Although the goal of root canal therapy is to remove the infection, in rare cases, a residual infection might occur. Often, this situation could be due to incomplete removal of infected pulp or inadequate sealing of the root canal system.

Dental injury: Root canal procedures require careful manipulation of dental tools within the tooth. Although highly unlikely, this process could potentially result in small fractures or cracks in the tooth structure.

Allergic reaction: Some patients may exhibit an allergic reaction to the materials used in the procedure, such as latex gloves, local anesthetics, or certain types of filling materials.

Treatment failure: Occasionally, despite great efforts, root canal therapy may not be effective in saving the adult tooth. Possible causes could be due to a variety of factors, including severe infection, weak tooth structure, or challenges in completely cleaning or filling the canal system.

While these potential side effects might sound daunting, it’s critical to remember that root canal therapy is generally reliable and safe. In case of any concerns or complications during the post-procedure, we highly encourage you to promptly communicate with our dentists in Brabham for further evaluation to restore your healthy smile.