Endodontic treatment, commonly known as root canal treatment, involves cleaning, disinfecting, shaping and sealing the root canal system inside the tooth. Treatment aims to manage infection or inflammation while allowing the natural tooth to be maintained where clinically appropriate.
JCV Endodontics is a specialist endodontic practice at 348 Oxford Street, Leederville, seeing patients from across Perth and Western Australia. Root canal treatment is provided by Dr Juan Camilo Villegas, a dentist with specialist registration in endodontics with the Dental Board of Australia, who also provides root canal retreatment, endodontic surgery and treatment with sedation where clinically appropriate.
Treatment is generally performed under local anaesthetic to numb the treatment area. A rubber dam is used to isolate the tooth and help maintain a clean treatment environment. The root canals are located, cleaned, shaped and disinfected before being sealed with an appropriate root filling material.
The number of appointments required varies according to the diagnosis, anatomy of the tooth and clinical findings. In some circumstances, an intracanal medicament may be placed between appointments.
Some temporary tenderness or discomfort can occur following root canal treatment. Individual experiences and treatment outcomes vary according to factors including the condition of the tooth, root canal anatomy, existing infection, restorability and subsequent dental care.
Following root canal treatment, an appropriate definitive restoration, such as a filling or crown, is important to help protect the remaining tooth structure and reduce the risk of recontamination. Your endodontist will advise when you should return to your general dentist for restorative care.
At JCV Endodontics, patient care is approached with clarity and consideration.
The clinical environment and communication style are designed to support understanding and reduce uncertainty throughout treatment. Patients are guided through each stage so they can make informed decisions about their care.
Root canal treatment may be recommended when the pulp inside a tooth becomes inflamed or infected. This can follow deep decay, a crack, trauma or repeated dental work on the same tooth. Possible signs include:
These signs can have other causes, and sometimes there are no symptoms at all. Only an assessment can confirm whether root canal treatment is needed. Your dentist may refer you, or you can contact the practice to arrange an assessment.
Assessment. Your tooth is examined and diagnostic imaging is reviewed to confirm the diagnosis. Your endodontist will explain the options, likely outcomes, risks and fees before any treatment.
Treatment. Local anaesthetic is used to numb the area, and the tooth is isolated with a rubber dam. The root canals are cleaned, shaped, disinfected and sealed.
Afterwards. Temporary tenderness or discomfort can occur. You then return to your general dentist for a filling or crown to protect the tooth.
As with any dental procedure, root canal treatment has risks. These can include pain or swelling after treatment, a flare-up of infection, a small instrument separating inside a canal, or the tooth cracking or fracturing. Not every tooth heals as expected, and some teeth later need retreatment, surgery or extraction. A tooth is also more likely to fracture if it is not protected with a suitable filling or crown afterwards. Your endodontist will explain the risks that apply to your tooth before treatment begins.
As a general guide, endodontic treatment at JCV Endodontics currently ranges from $1,900 to $3,800, depending on the tooth and the complexity of the case. Your actual fee may differ from this range. Where practicable, you’ll receive an individual estimate before treatment begins, setting out the fees that apply to your treatment, including any consultation, imaging or sedation fees charged separately. The filling or crown placed afterwards by your general dentist is arranged and costed separately. Read more about root canal cost in Perth.
Fees depend on which tooth is treated (molars usually have more canals than front teeth), how complex the canals are, whether it’s a first treatment or a retreatment, the imaging needed, the number of appointments and whether sedation is used.
Medicare does not generally cover root canal treatment for adults. If you have private health insurance with extras cover, you may be able to claim a benefit. Benefits vary between policies and insurers, so please check with your fund. HICAPS is available at the practice.
It depends on how much healthy tooth structure remains, the health of the surrounding gum and bone, and your own preferences. After assessing the tooth, your endodontist will explain the reasonable options and their risks and costs. These can include no treatment, monitoring, root canal treatment, surgery or extraction. That way you can make an informed decision.
Local anaesthetic is used to numb the area during treatment. Experiences vary. Some people feel pressure during treatment, and temporary tenderness or discomfort can occur afterwards. If you feel anxious, sedation may be available where clinically appropriate. Sedation has its own risks, which will be discussed with you.
It depends on the diagnosis, the tooth’s anatomy and what’s found during treatment. Some teeth are completed in one visit; others need two or more, with medication placed inside the tooth between visits.
A tooth that has previously undergone root canal treatment can sometimes develop persistent or recurrent inflammation or infection. Possible reasons include complex or previously untreated canal anatomy, leakage around an existing restoration, new decay, cracks or recontamination of the root canal system. These findings do not automatically mean that retreatment is required. Assessment considers the condition and restorability of the tooth, previous treatment, surrounding tissues and the reasonable treatment options available. Depending on the diagnosis, these may include monitoring, non-surgical root canal retreatment, surgical endodontic treatment or extraction. Retreatment can be technically more complex than initial root canal treatment because the tooth has already undergone previous dental procedures. Learn more about root canal retreatment in Perth.
For general fee guidance, visit our root canal cost in Perth page.
If you have questions for our team at JCV Endodontics, please don’t hesitate to contact us.