The most common reasons a tooth may require root canal treatment are pain and infection. The aim of treatment is to save your tooth by removing the inflamed or dead pulp and any associated infection. 

No treatment has a 100% success rate. Root canal treatment, when done to expected standards, generally has a high success rate. It is realistic to expect a success rate usually in the range of 80-95%, over the medium to long term. 

Factors that may adversely affect the outcome of root canal treatment include deep cracks in the tooth, how badly broken down the tooth was before treatment, and whether the tooth had previous root canal treatment. The outcome may also be affected if the filling placed after root canal treatment leaks, resulting in re-infection of the root canal(s).

Your dentist has likely referred you because of the complexity of diagnosis or of treatment. At your consultation appointment, once a diagnosis is made Dr Figdor will advise whether treatment is necessary and feasible, then discuss with you the fees and number of visits required for your treatment, enabling you to make an informed decision. A written estimate will be provided to you at the end of the first appointment. 

The complexity of treatment differs between individuals and teeth, which affects time and cost. Fees may vary if you are late or cancel at short notice resulting in prolonged treatment. 

If you have private health insurance and it includes dental cover, you may be able to claim a rebate from your health fund. If desired, we can provide you with estimated item numbers (the actual item numbers may vary when treatment is underway). Keep in mind that health fund rebates generally fall well short of the fees charged by most dentists and specialists.

You don’t need a referral to see Dr Figdor. However, your general dentist plays an important role in coordinating your overall oral health management and will usually first determine if there is an endodontic problem and the tooth that might require endodontic treatment. Sometimes, the diagnosis or necessity for root canal treatment is uncertain, or treatment is complex and a second opinion can be helpful.

Your health status may affect the outcome of your treatment and informs us about providing safe treatment for you. Prior to your first appointment, we will send you a secure link for you to submit your medical history and details of any current medications. If you would prefer to provide your medical history in person, please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment to complete your medical history.

Usually, your referring dentist or specialist will supply us with relevant details and radiographs (X-rays). If your dentist has given them to you, please be sure to bring them with you to your appointment. Often, we still need to take X-rays at your appointment to identify the current status and obtain as much detail as possible for comprehensive diagnosis and treatment planning.

In most cases a high resolution CT scan is necessary at the first appointment to provide essential information for both diagnosis and for treatment planning. This advanced imaging provides incredible detail with very low radiation, just a fraction of that used in medical imaging of the head.

In advance of your first appointment, please remove any ear or facial jewellery that may impact on the imaging quality.

Early arrival ensures Dr Figdor can stay on schedule for your appointment and other patients after you. 

Most treatment is done over two visits. Typically, at the first appointment the canals are located, cleaned and medicated with antibacterial agents. At the second visit, the cleaning is refined then the canals are root filled. 

Dr Figdor and his team aim to work as gently as possible to ensure your comfort. It may be hard to believe, but many people fall asleep during the procedure. The more relaxed you are, the easier it is for you, but it also makes our task easier if you are relaxed and still during treatment. In most cases a local anaesthetic is given to numb your tooth so that you have no discomfort during the procedure. 

The tooth is isolated with a rubber dam, which stops fluids and materials entering the rest of your mouth. You can breathe and swallow normally with the rubber dam in place. It also helps us to work in a clean and sterile way when treating your tooth. 

At the end of the first treatment visit, the access cavity in your tooth is sealed with a temporary filling. This is to seal it from further infection entering inside the tooth. The temporary filling usually takes about an hour to set, and in that time the local anaesthetic will still be wearing off, so you should not eat during that time. Drinking fluids is fine, but take care not to bite your lip or tongue. 

Afterwards, it is natural for there to be mild tenderness for a few days, which can readily be managed with conventional analgesic medication. Ibuprofen or Paracetamol usually work very well. 

In the uncommon event that you experience bad pain or swelling, please call us for advice and appropriate management.