Endodontic Treatment

You have been referred to an endodontist. Who is an endodontist?

While all endodontists are dentists, less than three percent of dentists are endodontists. Endodontists are specialists because they have completed an additional three years of training after dental school. The additional training focuses on diagnosing tooth pain, root canal treatment and other procedures related to saving teeth. In many cases, a diseased tooth can be saved with endodontic treatment.

What are the fees for endodontic treatment?

Fees are based on the complexity of the tooth and treatment.

Fees range from $1850-$ 2985. Most private health insurance policies cover some aspect of treatment. All our clinics have Hicap machines on-site so you can claim your rebate when paying your account.

What to expect for your appointment?

You will be advised during your booking, if your appointment is a consultation  or consultation combined with treatment. Endodontics deals with pain.

Often patients require urgent management for pain relief or continuation of treatment commenced by the referring general dentist. Based on the information received, enough time can be made to commence treatment at your first visit.

How many visits does endodontic treatment take?

Endodontic treatment can be undertaken in a single or multiple visits. The decision depends on the complexity of the treatment and the level of disease. This will be further discussed during your consultation.

Are there any contraindications to endodontic treatment?

There are very few contraindications to endodontic therapy. There are certain medical conditions which require antibiotic cover before any dental procedure can be undertaken. Please advise us if you have any of the following:

1. Heart valve repair
2. History of Rheumatic fever
3. Any joint replacement surgery less than 2 years ago

Some helpful links for additional information

https://www.aae.org/patients/root-canal-treatment/what-is-a-root-canal/root-canal-explained/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLeiDmOVfcg

What are the complications associated with endodontic treatment?

The most common complications are

1. Post-operative discomfort – most procedures will result in minimal post-treatment discomfort. Analgesics are occasionally recommended and you will be advised if this is the case.
2. Failure of treatment – endodontic treatment enjoys a success rate of up to 98%. A small number of cases do not respond to treatment. In fact, this may be one reason why you have been referred to an Endodontist. Root canal treatment can be repeated. However, it is more complex the second time around.
3. When dealing with calcified, curved  or narrow root canals, there is a risk that fine instruments called files, used during treatment, can fracture inside the tooth. At Camberwell Endodontics, no files are reused. All endodontic instruments are new and sterile for each patient. The risk of file fracture is less than 0.5 % and complications from file fracture are rare.