Book an Appointment
Root Canal Treatment in Sydney
Dealing with persistent tooth pain, or sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers long after eating? About Smiles is a Sydney dental group with five locations Chatswood, Circular Quay, Crows Nest, Eastgardens and Zetland providing root canal treatment aimed at relieving pain and preserving your natural tooth wherever possible. For patients with an infected or damaged tooth, root canal treatment is often the difference between saving a tooth and losing it to extraction. Having it assessed promptly generally gives your dentist the best chance of a straightforward outcome, so you can find your nearest About Smiles clinic and book an assessment rather than waiting through ongoing discomfort.
What Is a Root Canal and What Is Its Purpose?
A root canal is designed to remove infected or damaged pulp from inside a tooth often necessary when decay penetrates the enamel, or for cracked teeth helping to stop the spread of infection, treat a painful abscess, and avoid the need for extraction. The procedure involves cleaning, shaping and sealing the inner canals, which contain the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels, to help preserve the tooth’s structure, prevent bone loss around the root, restore comfortable chewing and speaking, and relieve persistent pain. Addressing the problem early can help prevent more complex treatment further down the track.
Many patients hear “root canal” and assume the worst, often based on an outdated reputation rather than what the procedure involves today. In practice, most patients find the experience is not dissimilar to having a standard filling, particularly once the area is comfortably numbed. Advances in technique and anaesthesia over the years have made the procedure more comfortable than its reputation might suggest.
Benefits of Root Canal Treatment
- Pain relief — helps address the source of infection to relieve persistent pain and discomfort
- Saves your tooth — helps preserve your natural tooth and avoid the need for extraction
- Restored function — helps restore proper function, so you can chew and speak comfortably again
- Helps protect against reinfection — seals the tooth with a biocompatible material to help protect it from future infection
Together, these benefits are why root canal treatment also known as endodontic treatment or root canal therapy is a well-established way to save a tooth that would otherwise need to be removed. Where possible, preserving your natural tooth tends to be preferable to extraction and a subsequent dental implant or bridge, both for function and for the long-term health of surrounding teeth. Keeping natural teeth for as long as possible is something many patients value.
Root Canal Treatment at Our Sydney Clinics
Across About Smiles, our team brings more than 80 years of combined dental experience, with a focus on personalised care, patient comfort and clear explanation at every step. We prioritise your comfort with local anaesthesia, supported by The Wand™ computer assisted anaesthetic system, and use digital X-rays to assess the tooth accurately before treatment begins. As an NSQHS accredited group, we follow recognised national safety and quality standards, and we use high-quality materials from established Australian, European and American brands.
Root canal treatment is provided by experienced clinicians across the group. At our Circular Quay clinic, Dr Gregory Nguyen (DMD, Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Orthodontics) provides root canal therapy alongside general and cosmetic dentistry, and consults in both English and Vietnamese. At our Zetland clinic, Dr Ashish Gohil (BDS First Class Hons, Grad Dip Clinical Dentistry [Oral Implants]) provides root canal treatment as part of his restorative and surgical scope. Where a tooth needs rebuilding afterwards with a filling or crown, restorative care is available across our clinics.
For patients who feel anxious about treatment, sedation dentistry is available following an individual assessment it isn’t suitable for everyone, so your dentist will discuss whether it’s appropriate for you. Getting seen sooner rather than later can also help avoid the infection progressing further while you wait.
How the Root Canal Process Works
Step One
Consultation:
Your dentist examines the tooth during a dental check-up, takes X-rays if needed, and assesses whether root canal treatment is the right course of action, or whether a referral to an endodontist is required.
Step Two
Cleaning and Shaping:
The area is numbed with local anaesthesia for a comfortable experience, then the infected pulp is removed from the tooth’s canals, with the inner surfaces cleaned, shaped and disinfected.
Step Three
Sealing and Restoration:
A biocompatible material seals the tooth to help prevent reinfection, and a filling or crown may be recommended depending on the extent of the damage.
Recovery after root canal treatment is generally straightforward for most patients, with any residual sensitivity typically settling within a few days. Your dentist will let you know what to expect for your case, including the use of a temporary filling, and how to manage any discomfort during recovery. Following any aftercare guidance closely tends to help the tooth settle more comfortably in the days after treatment.
Is Root Canal Treatment Right for You?
If you’re experiencing ongoing tooth pain, it’s worth having it assessed sooner rather than later, even if the discomfort comes and goes.
This may apply to you if you have:
Severe toothache or ongoing pain
Sensitivity that lingers after hot or cold exposure
Swollen, tender gums or a pimple like lesion near the tooth
It may be particularly worth considering if you are:
Seeking relief from persistent tooth pain
Wanting to save a natural tooth rather than have it extracted
Hoping to avoid more extensive treatment later
Helping You Save Your Smile
Our team provides treatments that may improve comfort and function, with every plan built around your individual needs. Results differ for each person and will be discussed with you in full during your consultation, including what recovery typically looks like. If you’re feeling anxious about the procedure, it’s worth mentioning this too, so we can talk through ways to help you feel more comfortable.
Our Sydney Locations
About Smiles has five clinics across Sydney. You can identify your nearest below:
- Chatswood — 2/63A Archer Street, Chatswood NSW 2067 · (02) 9415 3555. Practitioners here include Dr Mark Mingjie Lu (who also consults in Mandarin and Cantonese, and sees patients at Crows Nest), Dr David Argent, Dr David Young and Dr Eugene Foo.
- Circular Quay — Ground Floor, Shop LCC125, 17 Young Street, Circular Quay NSW 2000 · (02) 8319 2323. Practitioners here include Dr Gregory Nguyen, who provides root canal therapy and consults in English and Vietnamese, and Dr Aodhan Docherty.
- Crows Nest — Suite 103, Level 1, 22 Clarke Street, Crows Nest NSW 2065 · (02) 8622 3900. Dr Mark Mingjie Lu consults here in addition to Chatswood.
- Eastgardens — Shop 350, Level 3, Westfield Eastgardens, 152 Bunnerong Road, Eastgardens NSW 2036 · (02) 8488 9994. Practitioners here include Dr Sabrina Chong, Dr Lucy Cracknell and Dr Jacinda Stamenkovic.
- Zetland — 4/6 Defries Avenue, Zetland NSW 2017 · (02) 9313 6388. Practitioners here include Dr Ashish Gohil, who provides root canal treatment, and Dr Danny Nguyen-Ngo.
To book an assessment, contact your nearest clinic on the number above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is root canal treatment painful?
The procedure itself is carried out under local anaesthesia, so you shouldn’t feel pain during treatment. Some sensitivity during recovery is normal, as with other dental procedures, and your dentist will explain how to manage it.
How long does root canal treatment take?
This depends on the tooth involved multi-rooted molars can take longer and the extent of infection or damage, but many cases can be completed in one or two visits. Your dentist will give you a clearer indication of timing once your tooth has been assessed.
Will I need a crown after a root canal?
This depends on how much natural tooth structure remains and how much force the tooth needs to withstand when chewing. Your dentist will advise whether a crown or filling is the more suitable option for your specific case.
Is root canal treatment available at all About Smiles locations?
About Smiles offers root canal treatment across the group, at Chatswood, Circular Quay, Crows Nest, Eastgardens and Zetland. Root canal therapy is provided by named clinicians including Dr Gregory Nguyen at Circular Quay and Dr Ashish Gohil at Zetland. If you’re not sure which clinic to visit, contact your nearest location and the team can help you arrange an assessment.
Will my private health extras cover root canal treatment?
Many patients use private health extras cover towards root canal treatment, though the amount depends on your level of cover and whether a crown is also needed. About Smiles works with Australian private health funds and offers HICAPS claiming where applicable, and our team can help you understand what your fund may cover before treatment begins.