Root Canal
Treatment

A root canal — formally called endodontic therapy — removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth, then cleans, disinfects, and seals the canal system. The goal is to eliminate the toothache at its source and keep your natural tooth functioning for years to come.

The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and most patients describe it as no more uncomfortable than a standard filling. In fact, the purpose of the treatment is to relieve the toothache you arrived with. Some mild tenderness for a few days afterward is normal and resolves quickly.

Most root canal treatments take between 60–90 minutes. Complex molars with multiple canals may require longer or a second visit.

Whenever possible, preserving your natural tooth is biologically preferable. Extraction often leads to bone loss, additional procedures, implant or bridge placement, and higher long-term cost. However, extraction may be recommended if the tooth cannot be predictably restored.

Signs of possible failure include pain when biting, swelling, a recurring abscess, darkening of the tooth, and infection visible on X-ray. Regular reviews help detect issues early.

Yes. The root canal procedure is one of the most well-established treatments in dentistry, performed millions of times worldwide each year. It safely eliminates infection and preserves natural teeth with high predictability.

ArtSmiles performs most root canal procedures in-house at our Southport practice. For particularly complex cases — such as teeth with unusual root anatomy, calcified canals, or cases requiring microsurgical retreatment — we refer to a trusted specialist endodontist on the Gold Coast to ensure the best possible outcome.

Seek urgent dental assessment if you experience severe tooth pain, facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing, or pus discharge. Prompt care reduces complications and improves outcomes.

An abscessed tooth is a tooth with a bacterial infection that has spread beyond the pulp into the surrounding bone. It may cause severe pain, swelling, gum tenderness, pus discharge, and facial swelling. An abscess requires urgent assessment and often root canal treatment or extraction.

No. Antibiotics may temporarily reduce swelling or symptoms but cannot remove diseased tissue inside a tooth. The only definitive solution is mechanical cleaning and sealing of the canal system — which is what endodontic therapy achieves.

With proper restoration and maintenance, many root canal treated teeth last decades. Long-term success depends on complete infection removal, proper crown placement when indicated, good oral hygiene, and regular reviews.

While success rates are high (often between 85–97%), failure can occur due to complex root anatomy, missed canals, persistent bacteria, fracture, or breakdown of the final restoration. Retreatment or alternative solutions may then be considered.

Yes, once numbness has worn off. Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until it is permanently restored.

Root canal cost on the Gold Coast typically ranges from $1,000 for a single-canal front tooth to $2,800+ for complex molar retreatment. Fees vary by tooth type, number of canals, and anatomy complexity. A crown (quoted separately) is usually recommended afterward. Health fund rebates may apply, and flexible payment plans are available at ArtSmiles Southport.

An endodontist is a dentist who has completed additional years of specialist training focused exclusively on root canal therapy and diseases of the dental pulp. General dentists like our team at ArtSmiles routinely perform endodontic procedures, but specialist endodontists handle the most complex cases.