Root canal treatment in Box Hill North
When the nerve inside a tooth becomes infected or dies, root canal treatment is what allows the tooth to be kept rather than removed.
What it is, in plain terms
Inside every tooth is a soft core of nerve and blood vessels. Deep decay, a crack, or a heavy knock can let bacteria reach it. Once that tissue is infected or has died, it will not recover on its own, and the infection spreads out through the tip of the root into the bone. That is what causes the ache, the throbbing at night, and eventually the swelling.
Root canal treatment removes the infected tissue from inside the root, disinfects and shapes the canals, and seals them. The tooth stays in your jaw and continues to function. The alternative is removing the tooth and then deciding whether to replace it with an implant, a bridge or a denture, or to leave the gap.
The reputation of root canal treatment is largely out of date. It is carried out under local anaesthetic, and for most people the appointment itself is comparable to having a large filling. The pain people associate with it is usually the infection that brought them in.
01
Examination and X-ray
We confirm the diagnosis, check how far the infection has spread and assess whether the tooth is restorable. Not every tooth is worth saving, and we will tell you honestly if yours is not.
02
Cleaning the canals
Under local anaesthetic, the infected tissue is removed and the canals are disinfected and shaped. Depending on the tooth, this may be completed in one visit or spread over two.
03
Sealing
The canals are filled and sealed to stop bacteria re-entering. A temporary or permanent filling closes the access.
04
Protecting the tooth
A root-treated back tooth is more brittle and usually needs a crown or onlay to stop it splitting. This is a separate appointment and a separate cost, and it matters — teeth that are left unprotected are the ones that fail.
When root canal treatment is considered
These are the situations in which the nerve is usually involved.
Lingering pain
Pain that continues for more than a few seconds after hot or cold, or that wakes you at night, often means the nerve is inflamed beyond recovery.
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Abscess or swelling
A lump on the gum or swelling around a tooth is infection that has tracked out of the root. It needs treatment, not antibiotics alone.
Deep decay
Where decay has reached the nerve, a filling alone will not resolve it.
Trauma
A tooth knocked hard, even years earlier, can die quietly and darken before it becomes painful.
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Cracked tooth
A crack that extends into the nerve chamber can cause sharp pain on biting and may need root treatment, or removal if the crack runs into the root.
Failed previous treatment
A previously root-treated tooth can become reinfected. Retreatment is sometimes possible; sometimes removal is the more realistic option.
Risks, success rates and alternatives
Root canal treatment has a good long-term outlook in suitable teeth, but it is not certain. Canals can be narrow, curved or calcified, which makes them difficult to clean fully. Infection can persist or return. A tooth can crack during or after treatment, particularly if it is not protected with a crown. Some teeth need retreatment, referral for specialist endodontic care, or eventual removal despite everything being done properly.
Expect some tenderness on biting for a few days afterwards. Where treatment is spread over two visits, the tooth is sealed with a temporary filling in between and you should avoid chewing hard food on that side.
The alternatives are removing the tooth, or in limited circumstances monitoring it. Leaving an infected tooth untreated is not a neutral choice — the infection continues and can spread. We will set out the options, what each involves, and what each is likely to cost in writing before you decide.
Common questions
Is root canal treatment painful?
It is carried out under local anaesthetic. Pain thresholds vary between people, but most describe the appointment as similar to a large filling. Tell us if you feel anything and we will stop and add more anaesthetic.
How many appointments will I need?
Commonly one or two for the root canal itself, then a further appointment for the crown or onlay that protects the tooth afterwards.
Can I just have the tooth out instead?
Yes, that is a legitimate option and sometimes the more sensible one. Removal is quicker and usually cheaper up front, but you then have a gap to consider replacing, which has its own cost.
Do I definitely need a crown afterwards?
For back teeth, usually. Root-treated molars and premolars lose a lot of structure and are prone to splitting. Front teeth can sometimes be restored with a filling alone.
Will antibiotics fix it?
No. Antibiotics may settle a spreading infection temporarily, but they cannot reach the dead tissue inside the tooth. The source has to be dealt with.
Related pages
Other parts of the site people usually read alongside this one.
Rebuilding a damaged tooth, and how we choose between a filling and a crown.
Sore tooth, a break or swelling — first-aid steps and how quickly we can see you.
Not every wisdom tooth needs removing. Assessment first, with imaging.
In pain? Ring the practice
579 Middleborough Rd, Box Hill North VIC 3129. We see patients from Box Hill, Blackburn, Mont Albert, Surrey Hills and Kerrimuir.
This page is general information and not a diagnosis. Your treatment depends on an examination by a registered dental practitioner.