Root Canal Treatment Brisbane

Root Canal Treatment in Brisbane at Pure Dentistry

Root canal treatment at Pure Dentistry in Upper Mt Gravatt, Brisbane, typically costs between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the tooth and the number of canals. A dental crown, if required after treatment, is an additional cost. These are our 2025 fees and are subject to change — your dentist will provide an itemised quote before treatment begins. The procedure removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth, cleans and disinfects the internal canal system, and then seals the tooth to prevent reinfection. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the British Dental Journal (2025) reported a pooled success rate of 89% for conventional root canal treatment, and long-term studies show that 97% of treated teeth remain functional after 10 years when properly restored.

At our Brisbane dental clinic, root canal treatment is performed by Dr Matthew Peyravi, Dr Sari Simawy, Dr Hee Woong Shin, and Dr Thomas Sakha-Pour. For children who need root canal treatment, the Pure Dentistry paediatric dental team provides this treatment. We offer happy gas, IV sedation, and sleep dentistry under general anaesthesia for patients who experience dental anxiety.

Book an appointment online or call (07) 3343 4869. Pure Dentistry is open 7 days a week, located at 11/1932-1974 Logan Road, Upper Mt Gravatt, QLD 4122, near Westfield Garden City. Flexible payment options are available, including health fund rebates, AfterPay, TLC and SuperCare.

Estimated root canal treatment costs at Pure Dentistry (2025 fees, before health fund rebates):

These prices are based on treatments we performed in 2025. Each root canal involves multiple steps billed separately — including pulp removal, canal preparation, and canal filling — so the total cost depends on the number of canals in the tooth.

• Front tooth (1 canal): $900 – $1,600
• Premolar (1–2 canals): $1,250 – $2,000
• Molar (3–4 canals): $1,650 – $2,700
• Dental crown after root canal: $2,000 – $2,800 (if required)

These are our 2025 fees and are subject to change. The estimates do not include the initial consultation, diagnostic X-rays, or a dental crown if one is needed. Your dentist will provide an itemised treatment plan with exact costs after examining the tooth and taking the necessary radiographs.

Signs You May Need Root Canal Treatment

The pulp inside your tooth contains nerves and blood vessels that keep the tooth alive. When the pulp becomes infected or irreversibly inflamed — a condition dentists call irreversible pulpitis — root canal treatment may be needed to save the tooth. The following signs and symptoms may indicate a problem with the pulp:

• Persistent toothache: Pain that lingers for more than a few seconds after eating or drinking, or that wakes you at night, may indicate that the nerve inside the tooth is damaged.
• Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold: A brief twinge when drinking cold water is common and usually not a concern. However, a sharp or throbbing pain that continues for 30 seconds or more after the hot or cold source is removed may suggest pulp inflammation.
• Pain when biting or chewing: Tenderness when pressure is applied to the tooth can indicate infection at the root tip (periapical abscess).
• Swelling in the gums: A small bump on the gum near the affected tooth (sometimes called a gum boil or sinus tract) may be draining pus from an infected root.
• Darkening of the tooth: A tooth that gradually turns grey or dark yellow may have a dying or dead nerve, particularly if it has a history of trauma.
• Facial swelling: In severe cases, infection from an untreated tooth can spread to the surrounding tissue, causing visible swelling in the face or jaw. This requires urgent dental attention.

Not every toothache means you need a root canal. Some of these symptoms overlap with other dental conditions such as cracked teeth, gum disease, or referred pain from sinus issues. A thorough examination including dental X-rays — and in some cases a CBCT (3D) scan — is needed to confirm whether root canal treatment is the right course of action.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call Pure Dentistry on (07) 3343 4869. We are open 7 days a week and can usually see emergency dental patients on the same day.
If you need urgent root canal treatment, visit our emergency root canal Brisbane page.

What Happens During Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment is a routine dental procedure that removes infected or damaged tissue from inside a tooth. Most root canals are completed in one or two appointments, each lasting between 60 and 90 minutes depending on the tooth. Here is what to expect at each stage:

1. Examination and X-rays
Your dentist will examine the tooth and take X-rays (or a CBCT scan for complex cases) to assess the extent of infection, identify the number of root canals, and plan the treatment.

2. Local anaesthesia
The tooth and surrounding gum are numbed using local anaesthetic. You should not feel pain during the procedure. If you experience dental anxiety, Pure Dentistry offers happy gas (nitrous oxide), IV sedation, or sleep dentistry under general anaesthesia.

3. Isolation with a dental dam
A small rubber sheet (dental dam) is placed around the tooth to keep it dry and free of saliva during treatment. This also prevents bacteria from the mouth entering the cleaned canals.

4. Removing the infected pulp
Your dentist creates a small opening in the top of the tooth to access the pulp chamber. Using specialised endodontic instruments, the infected or inflamed pulp tissue is carefully removed from the chamber and root canals.

5. Cleaning, shaping, and disinfecting
The empty canals are cleaned, shaped, and disinfected using a combination of small files and antibacterial irrigating solutions. This step removes all bacteria and debris to reduce the risk of reinfection. The canals are shaped to allow a complete seal in the next step.

6. Filling and sealing the canals
Once the canals are clean and dry, they are filled with a biocompatible rubber-like material called gutta-percha and sealed with adhesive cement. A temporary or permanent filling is then placed to close the opening in the tooth.

7. Restoration
In most cases, a tooth that has had root canal treatment will need a dental crown to protect it and restore its strength, particularly for back teeth (molars and premolars) that bear significant chewing forces. Your dentist will discuss whether a crown or a direct filling is most suitable for your situation.
For information about root canal treatment for children, see our guide on root canal on baby teeth vs permanent teeth.

Does Root Canal Treatment Hurt?

Root canal treatment has a reputation for being painful, but this is largely outdated. With current anaesthetic techniques, the procedure itself is generally no more uncomfortable than having a filling placed. The purpose of root canal treatment is to relieve pain caused by an infected or inflamed tooth nerve — not to cause it.

During the procedure: Local anaesthetic numbs the tooth and surrounding area before treatment begins. Most patients report feeling pressure but no sharp pain during the procedure. If you feel any discomfort, your dentist can adjust the anaesthesia.

After the procedure: It is normal to experience some tenderness or mild discomfort around the treated tooth for a few days. This is typically managed with over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. Research published in the International Endodontic Journal found that post-operative pain following root canal treatment typically peaks within the first 24 hours and resolves within one week in the majority of cases.

When to contact your dentist: If you experience severe pain, significant swelling, or symptoms that worsen after the first few days, contact your dentist promptly. These may indicate a complication that requires further attention.

At Pure Dentistry, we offer multiple sedation options for patients who experience dental anxiety or who prefer additional comfort during longer procedures. These include nitrous oxide (happy gas), IV sedation, and sleep dentistry under general anaesthesia. Your dentist will discuss which option is appropriate for your situation at your consultation.
Read more about managing pain during and after root canal treatment.

Does Root Canal Treatment Hurt?

Root canal treatment has a reputation for being painful, but this is largely outdated. With current anaesthetic techniques, the procedure itself is generally no more uncomfortable than having a filling placed. The purpose of root canal treatment is to relieve pain caused by an infected or inflamed tooth nerve — not to cause it.

During the procedure: Local anaesthetic numbs the tooth and surrounding area before treatment begins. Most patients report feeling pressure but no sharp pain during the procedure. If you feel any discomfort, your dentist can adjust the anaesthesia.

After the procedure: It is normal to experience some tenderness or mild discomfort around the treated tooth for a few days. This is typically managed with over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. Research published in the International Endodontic Journal found that post-operative pain following root canal treatment typically peaks within the first 24 hours and resolves within one week in the majority of cases.

When to contact your dentist: If you experience severe pain, significant swelling, or symptoms that worsen after the first few days, contact your dentist promptly. These may indicate a complication that requires further attention.

At Pure Dentistry, we offer multiple sedation options for patients who experience dental anxiety or who prefer additional comfort during longer procedures. These include nitrous oxide (happy gas), IV sedation, and sleep dentistry under general anaesthesia. Your dentist will discuss which option is appropriate for your situation at your consultation.
Read more about managing pain during and after root canal treatment.

Root Canal Treatment Under Sedation in Brisbane

Not everyone can tolerate dental treatment while awake, and that is completely understandable. At Pure Dentistry, we offer three levels of sedation to ensure you can receive root canal treatment comfortably:

• Nitrous oxide (happy gas): You breathe a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a small nose mask. You remain awake and responsive but feel relaxed and less aware of the procedure. The effects wear off within minutes after the mask is removed.
• IV sedation (twilight sedation): Medication is delivered through a vein in your arm. You remain conscious but deeply relaxed and may have little or no memory of the procedure afterwards. A specialist anaesthetist monitors you throughout treatment.
• General anaesthesia (sleep dentistry): You are fully asleep for the entire procedure. General anaesthesia is administered by a specialist anaesthetist and is suitable for patients with severe dental phobia, a strong gag reflex, or complex treatment needs. This is performed at our Brisbane Dental Sleep Clinic.

Sedation can be particularly helpful for patients who need multiple teeth treated in a single appointment, or for those who have avoided dental care due to anxiety and now require more extensive treatment. Your dentist will discuss the most appropriate sedation option at your consultation.
Learn more about sedation options for root canal treatment in Brisbane.

Root Canal vs Tooth Extraction: Which Is Right for You?

When a tooth is badly damaged or infected, there are generally two options: save it with root canal treatment or remove it with an extraction. Both are valid treatments, and your dentist will recommend the option that is best for your specific situation. Here is how they compare:

Root canal treatment preserves your natural tooth. The infected pulp is removed, the canals are cleaned and sealed, and the tooth is restored with a filling or crown. You keep your natural tooth root, which helps maintain the bone structure of your jaw and the alignment of surrounding teeth. Long-term studies published in Clinical Oral Investigations (2023) show that 97% of root-canal-treated teeth remain functional after 10 years when properly restored with a crown and maintained with regular dental care.

Tooth extraction removes the entire tooth. This immediately resolves the infection, but it leaves a gap that may need to be filled with a dental implant, bridge, or denture to prevent neighbouring teeth from shifting and to restore chewing function. Replacing an extracted tooth adds additional cost and treatment time.

Cost comparison:

• Root canal + crown: approximately $2,200 – $5,000
• Extraction + dental implant + crown: approximately $4,000 – $8,000
• Extraction only (no replacement): approximately $350 – $700

In most cases, preserving the natural tooth through root canal treatment is the preferred clinical approach when the tooth can be adequately restored. However, extraction may be recommended if the tooth is severely fractured, has insufficient remaining structure for a crown, or if advanced gum disease has compromised the supporting bone.

Your dentist at Pure Dentistry will explain both options, the expected outcomes, and the costs involved so you can make an informed decision. Call (07) 3343 4869 to book a consultation.
For a detailed comparison, see our guide on root canal vs extraction and implant.

Do You Need a Crown After Root Canal Treatment?

In most cases, yes — particularly for back teeth. A tooth that has had root canal treatment is more brittle than a healthy tooth because the living pulp tissue has been removed. Without the reinforcement of a dental crown, the tooth is at greater risk of cracking or fracturing under normal chewing forces.

Back teeth (molars and premolars): A crown is strongly recommended. These teeth bear the highest chewing forces, and systematic reviews have consistently shown that root-canal-treated molars restored with crowns have significantly higher long-term survival rates than those restored with fillings alone.

Front teeth (incisors and canines): A crown may not always be necessary. If the tooth has good structural integrity and the access opening is small, a composite filling may be sufficient. Your dentist will assess the remaining tooth structure and advise you on the best restoration.

The cost of a dental crown in Brisbane typically ranges from $2000 to $2,800 depending on the material (porcelain, zirconia, or porcelain-fused-to-metal). This is an additional cost on top of the root canal treatment itself. It is important to have the crown placed promptly — ideally within a few weeks of completing the root canal — to protect the tooth from fracture before permanent restoration is in place.
Read our detailed guide on getting a crown after root canal treatment.

How Long Does a Root Canal Last?

A root-canal-treated tooth can last for many years — often decades — when it is properly restored and maintained. Long-term research published in Clinical Oral Investigations (2023) followed 598 teeth for up to 37 years and found that 97% of root-canal-treated teeth survived at 10 years and 81% survived at 20 years. The endodontic success rate (complete healing of the root tip area confirmed on X-ray) was 93% at 10 years.

The factors that most influence how long a root-canal-treated tooth lasts include:

• Quality of the final restoration: Teeth restored with a crown have significantly better long-term survival than those left with only a filling, particularly for molars.
• Oral hygiene: Regular brushing, flossing, and six-monthly dental check-ups help prevent new decay and gum disease around the treated tooth.
• Tooth type: Front teeth generally have better long-term outcomes than molars, which are more complex to treat and bear greater chewing forces.
• Teeth grinding (bruxism): Patients who grind their teeth are at higher risk of fracturing root-canal-treated teeth. A custom night guard can help protect the treated tooth.

If a root-canal-treated tooth develops new problems — such as reinfection, a new crack, or decay under the crown — retreatment or additional procedures may be needed. Regular dental visits allow your dentist to monitor the tooth and detect issues early.
Find out what happens if treatment is not completed in our guide on incomplete root canal treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canal Treatment in Brisbane