Find answers to common questions about endodontic treatment, our practice and what to expect at Southwest Endodontic Centre. If your question is not answered here, call us on (02) 9129 8806 or email info@swendo.com.au.
An endodontist is a dental specialist who has completed additional university training — typically a Doctorate of Clinical Dentistry in Endodontics — beyond their general dental degree. This specialist training focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the dental pulp (the nerve and blood vessels inside a tooth), root canal treatment, endodontic surgery and dental trauma management. At Southwest Endodontic Centre, Dr Deepak Chellappa and Dr Jimmy Chan are both AHPRA registered specialist endodontists.
General dentists provide a broad range of dental care including fillings, crowns, extractions and routine root canal treatment. Endodontists are specialists who focus exclusively on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the dental pulp and surrounding tissues. This means endodontists treat a higher volume of complex cases, use advanced technology such as operating microscopes and CBCT 3D imaging that is not typically available in general practice, and have additional training in managing difficult anatomy, failed treatments and surgical cases.
Southwest Endodontic Centre is a referral-based practice. In most cases your general dentist will refer you to us. However, if you are experiencing severe dental pain or have had a dental injury, you are welcome to call us directly on (02) 9129 8806 to discuss whether an appointment is appropriate without a formal referral.
For straightforward cases, your general dentist may be well equipped to perform root canal treatment. Specialist referral is recommended for complex anatomy, calcified canals, retreatment of previously treated teeth, surgical cases, dental trauma and any case where your dentist is uncertain of the diagnosis or treatment outcome. Specialist endodontists use operating microscopes and CBCT 3D imaging that significantly improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes in complex cases.
Root canal treatment performed under local anaesthetic is comfortable — most patients are surprised by how routine the experience is. It is the infection or inflammation before treatment that causes pain. The procedure itself relieves that pain. Some mild soreness in the days following treatment is normal and manageable with over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. If you are anxious about treatment, oral or IV sedation options are available — discuss this when booking.
Most root canal treatments take 60–90 minutes per appointment. Front teeth and premolars with fewer canals are typically faster. Molar teeth with three or four canals take longer. Complex cases or teeth with unusual anatomy may require two appointments. Your specialist will give you a clear estimate at your consultation appointment.
Most root canal treatments are completed in one to two appointments. Simple cases on front teeth are often completed in a single visit. Molar teeth, heavily infected teeth or complex anatomy may require two visits. Retreatment and surgical cases may require additional appointments. Your treatment plan will be clearly explained before any treatment begins.
In most cases, yes. Root canal treated teeth lose moisture and become more brittle over time, making them vulnerable to fracture. A crown protects the tooth and significantly extends its lifespan. Your referring dentist will place the crown after your endodontic treatment is complete. It is important not to delay this step — the longer you wait, the greater the risk of the tooth fracturing or becoming reinfected.
Clinical studies show success rates of 90–95% for root canal treatment performed under appropriate conditions. Long-term tooth survival is strongly influenced by timely placement of a crown after treatment and ongoing good oral hygiene. Complex cases, retreatment and surgical cases have variable success rates depending on the specific clinical situation — your specialist will give you an honest prognosis assessment before treatment begins.
Most patients return to work the same day or the following day after root canal treatment. Some mild soreness or altered sensation is common for a few days after treatment but is usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. Apical surgery cases may involve more swelling — we recommend taking the following day off after surgical procedures.
Yes, after standard root canal treatment under local anaesthetic you can drive home. If you have opted for IV sedation you must not drive and must have a responsible adult escort. Oral sedation depending on the medication and dose — discuss with our team when booking.
Treating dental infection during pregnancy is important — untreated dental infection poses a greater risk than treatment. Local anaesthetic is safe during pregnancy. Digital X-rays use minimal radiation and are taken with appropriate precautions. Please inform us at booking if you are pregnant so we can take appropriate measures. We recommend informing your obstetrician as well.
If root canal treatment is not chosen, the main alternative is extraction (removal) of the tooth. Following extraction, options to replace the tooth include leaving the space, a removable partial denture, a fixed bridge or a dental implant. Declining treatment entirely may lead to spreading infection and is not normally recommended. Your specialist will explain all options clearly before any decision is made.
Endodontic retreatment involves removing the existing root canal filling material, re-cleaning and re-shaping the canal system, and re-filling the tooth. It is performed when a tooth that has had previous root canal treatment has not healed as expected or develops new problems months or years later. Retreatment is more complex than initial root canal treatment and benefits from specialist assessment and the use of an operating microscope.
Root canals can fail for several reasons including: canals that were missed or could not be fully cleaned during initial treatment due to complex anatomy; inadequate seal allowing bacteria to re-enter; delay in placing a crown after treatment; a cracked or fractured crown allowing contamination; or new decay. In some cases failure is not due to any error — complex anatomy makes complete disinfection extremely challenging.
Apical surgery, also called apicoectomy or endodontic microsurgery, is a surgical procedure involving removal of the root tip and surrounding infected tissue, followed by placement of a small filling at the root end to seal it. It is performed under the operating microscope and is recommended when root canal retreatment is not possible or has not resolved the problem. Clinical studies show high success rates for modern microsurgical apicoectomy.
Retreatment accesses the root canal system from above (through the crown of the tooth) and recleans the canal from the inside. Apical surgery accesses the root tip from outside through a small incision in the gum and treats the root end directly. The choice between the two depends on why the tooth has not healed, whether retreatment is technically possible, and the anatomy of the specific tooth. Your specialist will recommend the most appropriate approach after assessment.
Cracked tooth syndrome describes pain caused by a crack in a tooth that has not yet split completely. Classic symptoms include sharp pain when biting or chewing — particularly on release of biting pressure — and sensitivity to cold that lingers. Cracked tooth syndrome is notoriously difficult to diagnose on standard X-rays and often requires examination under an operating microscope and CBCT imaging to determine the extent of the crack and whether it involves the pulp.
CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) is a 3D digital imaging technology that captures a full three-dimensional view of teeth, roots and surrounding bone. Unlike conventional 2D dental X-rays, CBCT reveals missed canals, the true extent of root fractures and resorption, the three-dimensional spread of infection, and the relationship of roots to surrounding anatomy. It is particularly valuable for complex cases, retreatment, suspected fractures, resorption and surgical planning.
The operating microscope provides high magnification and illumination that allows your specialist to see canal anatomy, locate missed or additional canals, identify cracks and place materials with precision that is simply not possible with the naked eye. At Southwest Endodontic Centre all procedures are performed under the operating microscope as standard — not as an optional extra. Microscope photographs are included in consultation reports sent to your referring dentist.
Fotona SkyPulse laser (SWEEPS technology) is available at our Wollongong Endodontics practice only. Patients in South West Sydney who require laser-assisted root canal treatment are welcome to be seen at our Wollongong location. Please indicate this preference on the referral form. Both practices offer CBCT 3D imaging and operating microscope as standard.
At Southwest Endodontic Centre our fees are:
All fees are subject to change. A confirmed quote is provided before any treatment begins. Additional costs may apply for post removal, core restorations or fractured instrument removal — these are always discussed and agreed before proceeding.
Most extras/ancillary private health insurance policies include endodontic treatment. The rebate amount varies by fund and level of cover. We offer HICAPS for on-the-spot claims — simply bring your health fund card to your appointment. Contact your health fund before your appointment to confirm your specific entitlements.
Payment plans are available through a third-party provider. Please speak with our reception team at your consultation to discuss this option.
Yes. Our initial consultation including clinical examination and radiographs is $300. This fee applies regardless of whether treatment proceeds at that appointment. The consultation allows your specialist to thoroughly assess your case, reach a diagnosis and discuss all treatment options with you before any decision is made.
The fastest method is our online referral form — you can attach X-rays, select the tooth on a full FDI chart and add clinical notes in one step. For urgent or emergency referrals call us directly on (02) 9129 8806 — do not use the online form for same-day requests. IADT 2020 trauma guidelines and other clinical references are available on our Dentist Resources page.
We prioritise emergency referrals. For patients in acute pain, call us directly on (02) 9129 8806 and we will do our best to see your patient the same day. Please call rather than using the online form for same-day emergency requests.
Yes — always. A detailed consultation report including clinical findings, diagnosis, treatment plan and operating microscope photographs where relevant is sent electronically to the email address on your referral, typically on the day of your patient's appointment.
Absolutely — we encourage it. Call (02) 9129 8806 at any time to discuss a case informally. We are always happy to advise on whether referral is indicated and what information to include.
We accept referrals for: root canal treatment, endodontic retreatment, apical surgery, dental trauma management, cracked tooth assessment, fractured instrument removal, root canal perforation repair, non-vital bleaching, post removal, root resorption, pain diagnosis and second opinion consultations. If you are unsure whether a case is appropriate for referral, call us to discuss.