“Endodontics” or “root canal therapy” is a dental procedure that literally means “treatment inside the tooth.”

Root canal therapy aims to save your natural tooth by disinfecting the inside of the tooth, allowing the surrounding tissues to heal. The process removes the diseased pulp using specially designed instruments and magnification with clinical precision.

The root canal system is cleaned, enlarged, shaped and medicated to control bacteria and ensure comfort. At a follow up appointment, the tooth is cleaned again before being filled and sealed.

A comprehensive report is sent to your general dentist who will place a full coverage filling or crown, restoring full function and appearance.

The inside structure, or “pulp”, of a tooth is a vulnerable tissue that can easily become inflamed and infected.

This most commonly occurs due to caries (decay), but may have occurred from a number of other possible causes, such as a crack, periodontal (deep gum) disease, and from trauma (being knocked).

If the inflammation and infection in the pulp is left untreated, it can lead to pain, abscess in the jawbone, and swelling.

Saving the natural tooth is usually far more beneficial than extraction or an artificial replacement.

Your original tooth is most in line with the natural healthy state of your surrounding teeth and mouth. endodontic therapy helps maintain the integrity of your natural bite and overall dental health, reducing the need for additional dental work in the future.

Additionally, endodontic therapy is often the more cost effective solution in the long term.

Root canal therapy is one of the most successful dental treatments practised today.

And with recent advancements in techniques, materials and equipment, endodontic therapy is more reliable than ever.

The prognosis (chance of success) does still vary with for each procedure, tooth and patient. This is why your initial consultation is very important, and we encourage you to ask questions to ensure you fully understand your recommended treatment options.

An Endodontist is a dental specialist in the field of endodontics, requiring an additional three full years of university post-graduate study in addition to a general dental degree.

Although a general dentist is qualified to perform root canal therapy, dentists often refer an Endodontist to give their patients the best care possible, in the same way a GP may refer a patient to a cardiologist or other specialist.

An Endodontist performs routine, as well as difficult root canal therapy procedures, including retreatment of previous root canals that did not heal completely, endodontic microsurgery, management of dental trauma, bleaching of discoloured previously root canal filled teeth, and the diagnosis and management of some oral and facial pain.

There have also been significant advancements in endodontic diagnosis and treatment procedures. Adelaide Endodontic Specialists incorporates these in your management, ensuring you receive only the highest quality dental care. We use endodontic microscopes, endodontic rotary equipment, ultrasonics, electronic apex locators, digital radiography and the latest endodontic microsurgical techniques to ensure the most optimal outcome for you.

Many patients who are referred to us for root canal therapy initially present in pain or discomfort. Root canal therapy alleviates this pain.

Advancements in dental techniques, as well as our focused specialist management sees most patients report that they are comfortable and relaxed during their root canal therapy.

Rest assured that your comfort is our number one priority, and is expertly attended to at all stages of treatment, from consultation through to follow up.

The majority of patients seen by our Endodontists experience minimal or no discomfort following root canal therapy.

In fact, you can usually return to work or school immediately following root canal therapy appointments.

If any discomfort occurs it is generally mild, short lasting and can be well controlled with standard medications. Your Endodontist will discuss this with you and if required tailor a management strategy for you.

Rest assured that your comfort is our number one priority, and is expertly attended to at all stages of treatment,
from consultation through to follow up.

Adelaide Endodontic Specialists offers all our patients treatment under “twilight” or “conscious” sedation. This is administered by a qualified Anaesthetist in our rooms at Adelaide Endodontic Specialists.

Where appropriate, treatment can be completed in a single visit, and you can return home after a short monitored recovery period by our registered nurse. It does not involve a trip to hospital.

There are no medical conditions that would usually preclude root canal therapy being undertaken.

With your approval, your Endodontist may need to contact your doctor(s) for clarification of your health status before proceeding with treatment.

If you have a health concern, please specify it on the medical information form, together with any medications and dosages. Please bring a list with you to your consultation appointment, and inform your Endodontist if you have had any changes to your medical circumstances between your appointments.

We understand that needing root canal therapy can be a scary thought. You may be experiencing severe pain or discomfort, or had a previously bad dental experience.

Our Endodontists are highly experienced and specifically trained to treat anxious patients who are in pain. Rest assured that your comfort is our number one priority, and is expertly attended to at all stages of treatment, from consultation through to your final follow up.

You may also find comfort knowing that we offer treatment under “twilight” or “conscious” sedation. This is administered by a qualified Anaesthetist in our rooms at Adelaide Endodontic Specialists. Where appropriate, treatment can be completed in a single visit, and you can return home after a short monitored recovery period by our registered nurse. It does not involve a trip to hospital.

Where it’s possible to successfully save your natural tooth with root canal therapy, this is regarded as the preferred option.

The alternative treatment option is to have your tooth extracted. While this may seem the simpler and cheaper option in the short term, unfortunately your extracted tooth will usually require a replacement to fill the void and prevent long term complications arising with your remaining teeth and mouth.

Should root canal therapy not be the best option in your case and an alternative option is superior, we will discuss this with you and refer you back to your general dentist.

Although a general dentist is qualified to perform root canal therapy, dentists often refer their patients to an Endodontist to give their patients the best care possible, in the same way a GP may refer a patient to a cardiologist or other specialist.

Our Endodontists have the specific training and experience, and access to the very latest technology and equipment. Working in close co-operation with your general dentist and other specialists, our primary goal is achieve the best possible outcome for you.

Antibiotics are insufficient as an alternative treatment because they cannot reach and treat the infected tooth pulp.

When the “pulp” of a tooth becomes inflamed and infected, it cannot heal itself and begins to die. This dying tissue does not have a blood supply, so the antibiotics that are carried in your bloodstream cannot reach the infected area. The only long term solution to kill the bacteria inside the pulp space and disinfect the tooth is via root canal therapy.

Antibiotics are generally only used as an adjunct to root canal therapy for infections that also present severe associated facial swellings, or accompanying fever or malaise (feeling unwell).

Once inflamed and infected pulp tissue is removed during your initial treatment, any toothache that may have been present can “disappear” and thus it seems that further treatment is no longer required.

Unfortunately however, if the treatment has not been completed, the tooth remains in an unstable state that could “flare up” at any given time. This often gives rise to further pain, abscess in the jawbone, and swelling. Completed root canal therapy removes the infection, disinfects and fills the canals inside your tooth, and allows the surrounding tissues to heal.

You can usually return to work or school immediately following root canal therapy appointments.

The majority of patients seen by our Endodontists experience minimal or no discomfort following root canal therapy. If any discomfort occurs it is generally mild, short lasting and can be well controlled with standard medications. Your Endodontist will discuss this with you and if required tailor a management strategy for you.

Our Endodontists work in close co-operation with your general dentist to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

Your general dentist remains a very important part of your root canal therapy. You will need to return to them either during or after root canal therapy to have the top of your tooth restored to optimise its strength.

As always, it is important that you see your dentist for regular checkups and maintenance.

At Adelaide Endodontic Specialists, we believe in being upfront about how much your root canal therapy will cost.

After your tooth has been assessed at your consultation appointment, we will provide and discuss with you an itemised management plan, including expected number of appointments and costs. We can provide you with the relevant item numbers if you would like to find out your rebate from your health fund.

We are happy to provide our patients with the HICAPS facility for on-site claiming of any health fund rebate. Gap payments are accepted on the day of consultation, therapy or review via credit card (VISA, MasterCard and American Express), EFTPOS or via cash or cheque.

We are also happy to treat Veteran’s Affairs gold card holders, General Dental Scheme patients and Child Dental Benefits Scheme patients. Please let our reception staff know if either of these schemes applies to you when making your appointments.

We encourage you to ask questions before your procedure as this ensures you understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives, helping you make an informed decision about your health.

Please do not hesitate to contact Adelaide Endodontic Specialists for any questions or advice. Our reception staff will be able to assist you, or they will refer your query onto your treating Endodontist.

Call us on 08 8228 3000 or send us an email .