Root Canal Treatment
Root Canal Treatment in Canberra — Save the Tooth, Stop the Pain
Gentle root canal therapy at Dental Embassy in Braddon — with sedation available so you can relax or sleep through the whole thing.
Root canal treatment at Dental Embassy in Braddon removes infection from inside a damaged tooth, relieves the pain, and lets you keep the tooth rather than lose it. Dr Srikanth Karumuri performs root canal therapy under local anaesthetic, with sedation available for patients who are anxious or would prefer not to be aware of the procedure. Call 1300 000 230 to book.
Sedation available
Gas, oral or IV for anxious patients
One or two visits
Depending on tooth complexity
Save the tooth
Avoid extraction where possible
Payment plans
Humm, ZIP, Afterpay and TLC
A toothache that throbs through the night, a sensitivity that lingers well after you’ve finished your coffee, a dull ache that flares every time you bite down — these are the kinds of pain that bring Canberra patients to our door in Braddon looking for answers. Often the answer is root canal treatment — a procedure that sounds worse than it is, and that can mean the difference between keeping your tooth and losing it.
Root canal treatment (sometimes called endodontic therapy) is the process of removing infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth, cleaning and disinfecting the canals, and sealing the tooth so it can stay in your mouth and function normally. At Dental Embassy, Dr Srikanth Karumuri performs root canal therapy with a focus on keeping you comfortable — that means thorough numbing, a calm pace, clear explanations, and sedation if you need it.
If you are in pain right now, call us on 1300 000 230. We keep urgent slots free each day and can usually see you promptly.
What Is Root Canal Treatment?
Every tooth has a soft core called the pulp. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue — it is what kept the tooth alive and growing when it first developed. Once the tooth is fully formed, however, it can survive without the pulp, receiving nourishment from the tissues surrounding the root instead.
When the pulp becomes infected (usually from deep decay, a crack, or repeated dental procedures on the same tooth) or inflamed, it can cause intense pain. Left untreated, the infection can spread beyond the tooth into the surrounding bone and gum, forming an abscess. Root canal treatment removes the damaged pulp, cleans out the infection, and seals the space so the tooth can remain in your mouth — pain-free and functional.
The alternative, in most cases, is extraction. Keeping your natural tooth is almost always the better option: it maintains your bite, avoids the gap that would need an implant or bridge to fill, and preserves the bone around it. Root canal treatment is how we make that possible.
Signs You Might Need Root Canal Treatment
Some teeth that need root canal treatment give clear signals. Others are discovered quietly on an x-ray at a routine check-up. Here are the common signs to watch for:
- Persistent toothache — a throbbing or constant ache, especially one that wakes you at night or does not settle with over-the-counter pain relief.
- Lingering sensitivity — pain that continues well after the hot or cold food or drink has been removed (as opposed to a brief twinge that fades quickly).
- Pain when biting — tenderness or sharp pain when you press on the tooth or chew with it.
- A darkening tooth — a tooth that has turned grey, dark yellow or brown compared to its neighbours may have a dying or dead nerve.
- Swelling or a gum pimple — a bump on the gum near the base of a tooth (called a sinus tract or gum boil) is a sign of infection draining from the root.
- Facial swelling — more extensive swelling around the jaw or cheek suggests the infection is spreading and needs prompt attention.
If any of these sound familiar, don’t wait for it to get worse. Call us on 1300 000 230 and we will get you assessed.
How Root Canal Treatment Works at Dental Embassy
Understanding what happens step-by-step often takes the anxiety out of the procedure. Here is what to expect when you come in for root canal treatment at our Braddon practice.
Step 1 — Assessment and X-Rays
Dr Sri examines the tooth and takes a digital x-ray (sometimes more than one) to see the shape and number of root canals, the extent of infection, and the condition of the surrounding bone. This is also where he determines whether root canal treatment is the right option for your tooth, or whether extraction makes more sense. You will get an honest recommendation and a clear, written quote before any treatment begins.
Step 2 — Numbing and Sedation
The tooth and surrounding area are fully numbed with local anaesthetic. You should not feel pain during the procedure. If you are anxious, sedation is available — Dr Sri holds a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Sedation) from the University of Sydney, and our visiting sedationist Anna Huang can provide IV sedation for patients who want to be completely unaware. We will discuss the right option for you before your appointment.
Step 3 — Accessing the Pulp
A small opening is made in the top of the tooth to access the pulp chamber. Dr Sri uses magnification and illumination to see the fine canal anatomy clearly.
Step 4 — Cleaning and Shaping the Canals
Using fine, flexible instruments, the infected or inflamed pulp tissue is carefully removed from the canals. The canals are shaped, flushed with disinfecting solutions, and dried. For teeth with significant infection, a medicament may be placed inside the canals and the tooth temporarily sealed, with a second visit booked to complete the treatment once the infection has settled.
Step 5 — Filling and Sealing
Once the canals are clean and dry, they are filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha and sealed to prevent re-infection. A temporary or permanent filling is placed on top.
Step 6 — Restoring the Tooth
Most root-canal-treated teeth — especially molars — need a crown to protect them from fracture. The blood supply to the tooth has been removed, so it becomes more brittle over time. A crown restores the tooth’s strength and lets you chew normally. Dr Sri will advise you on whether your tooth needs a crown or whether a filling is sufficient.
Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery from root canal treatment is straightforward for most patients. Here is what to expect.
- The first few days: mild tenderness or soreness around the tooth is normal, particularly when biting. This usually settles within a few days and responds well to over-the-counter ibuprofen or paracetamol.
- Eating: wait until the numbness wears off before eating. Stick to softer foods for the first day or two and chew on the opposite side. Avoid very hard, crunchy or sticky foods on the treated tooth until the permanent restoration (crown or filling) is in place.
- Oral hygiene: brush and floss normally, being gentle around the treated tooth for the first couple of days.
- Follow-up: if a crown is needed, we will book you in for that once the root canal is complete and the tooth has settled. Do not leave the temporary restoration in place for too long — a temporary filling is not designed to protect the tooth permanently.
Call us on 1300 000 230 if you experience increasing pain, significant swelling, or if the temporary filling comes out. These are not common, but if they happen, we want to know promptly.
Sedation for Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment has an undeserved reputation. Many patients who have been dreading it tell us afterwards that it was far more comfortable than they expected. But we understand that for some people — particularly those with dental anxiety, a strong gag reflex, or a long or complex procedure ahead — the reassurance of local anaesthetic alone is not enough.
Dental Embassy is a sedation-focused practice. Dr Sri’s Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Sedation) from the University of Sydney means he is trained and experienced in delivering sedation safely. Options include:
- Happy gas (nitrous oxide) — breathed through a small nose mask, it takes the edge off anxiety while you remain fully conscious and in control. It wears off within minutes.
- Oral sedation — a tablet taken before your appointment that produces a deeper level of relaxation. You will feel drowsy and may not remember much of the procedure.
- IV sedation — administered by our visiting sedationist Anna Huang, this is the deepest option we offer. You drift off to sleep and wake up when it is over. IV sedation requires fasting beforehand and someone to drive you home.
We will discuss which option suits your situation at your consultation. You can read more on our sedation dentistry page.
Root Canal Treatment Costs and Payment
The cost of root canal treatment depends on the tooth. Front teeth with a single canal are less complex and less expensive. Premolars typically have one or two canals. Molars at the back of the mouth may have three or four canals and take longer, so they cost more. Dr Sri will give you a clear, written quote after examining the tooth and reviewing the x-rays — before any treatment goes ahead. These figures are indicative; your quote is confirmed at your appointment.
Health funds: root canal treatment is typically covered under the “major dental” or “endodontic” category of your health insurance. We process your claim on the spot with HICAPS, so you only pay the gap. Bring your health fund card. We work with the major funds including Defence Health, HCF and nib, among others.
Payment plans: interest-free payment plans are available through Humm, ZIP, Afterpay and TLC, so you can proceed with treatment now and spread the cost. Our team will help you set up the option that suits.
Why Dental Embassy for Root Canal Treatment in Canberra
Braddon is a short walk or tram ride from Civic, the ANU, and the inner-north suburbs — making it easy to get to us from across Canberra. We are open Monday to Friday from 7:30am, with Saturday appointments available, so you do not have to take a full day off work to get treatment done.
Dr Sri has been performing root canal treatment for years, and his additional training in sedation means he can keep even the most anxious patient comfortable. We take the time to explain the problem, give you honest options, and let you decide — without pressure.
If you have a toothache that is not going away, sensitivity that lingers, or you have been told you need a root canal and want it done somewhere calm and experienced, call us on 1300 000 230 or book online.
Important: This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek advice from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Individual outcomes vary. Costs are indicative — your quote is confirmed at your appointment.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Modern root canal treatment is not the ordeal it used to be. The area is fully numbed with local anaesthetic before anything happens, so during the procedure you should feel pressure but not pain. Most patients say it feels similar to having a deep filling done. At Dental Embassy we also offer sedation — happy gas, oral sedation or IV sedation — if you are anxious or would simply rather not be aware of the procedure. Post-treatment tenderness is normal for a few days and usually settles with over-the-counter ibuprofen or paracetamol taken as directed.
A straightforward root canal on a front tooth can be completed in a single appointment of roughly 45 to 60 minutes. Molars at the back of the mouth have more canals and are more complex, so they often take 60 to 90 minutes and may need two visits — one to clean and medicate the canals and a second to seal them. Dr Sri will give you a clear estimate after reviewing your x-rays so you know what to expect before you commit.
The cost depends on the tooth and its complexity. Front teeth with a single canal are less expensive than molars with three or four canals. Dr Sri will examine the tooth, take an x-ray and give you a clear, written quote before any treatment begins — no surprise bills. Health fund members can claim on the spot with HICAPS, and interest-free payment plans through Humm, ZIP, Afterpay and TLC are available so cost does not have to delay treatment. These figures are indicative — your quote is confirmed at your appointment.
Yes. Dental Embassy is a sedation-focused practice and sedation is available for root canal treatment. Options range from happy gas (nitrous oxide), which takes the edge off while you remain fully conscious, through to oral sedation or IV sedation with our travelling sedationist, Anna Huang. Dr Sri holds a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Sedation) from the University of Sydney, so you are in experienced hands. We will discuss the right option for you at your consultation.
Common signs include a persistent or throbbing toothache that lingers after eating or drinking hot or cold foods, pain that wakes you at night, a darkening or greying tooth, a small pimple-like bump on the gum near the sore tooth (a sinus tract), swelling around the tooth, or tenderness when you bite or press on it. Sometimes a tooth that needs root canal treatment has no symptoms at all and is picked up on an x-ray at a routine check-up. If any of these sound familiar, call us on 1300 000 230.
An infected or inflamed tooth pulp does not heal on its own. Without treatment the infection can spread into the surrounding bone, forming an abscess. An abscess can cause significant pain, facial swelling and, in rare cases, the infection can spread further and become a serious health concern. In most cases the alternative to root canal treatment is extraction — losing the tooth entirely — which then leaves a gap that may need replacing with an implant, bridge or denture.
In most cases, yes — especially for back teeth (premolars and molars) that bear heavy chewing forces. A root-canal-treated tooth becomes more brittle over time because the blood supply has been removed, so a crown protects it from fracturing. Front teeth that still have plenty of remaining tooth structure may be suitable for a filling only. Dr Sri will advise you on what your particular tooth needs after the root canal is completed.
Root canal treatment has a high success rate. The outcome depends on factors like how much infection was present, the anatomy of the canals and the quality of the final restoration (crown or filling) placed on top. A well-treated and properly restored tooth can function for many years. If a previously treated tooth develops problems later, retreatment or a surgical approach (an apicoectomy) may be possible. Dr Sri will give you an honest assessment of the outlook for your particular tooth.
Wait until the numbness has completely worn off before eating — biting your cheek or tongue while numb is surprisingly common. For the first few days, stick to softer foods and chew on the opposite side. Avoid very hard, crunchy or sticky foods on the treated tooth until the final crown or filling is in place, because a temporary filling is not as strong as the permanent restoration. Once the crown is fitted, you can eat normally.
Keeping a natural tooth is almost always preferable to extracting it, as long as the tooth is saveable. A root canal preserves the tooth, maintains your bite and avoids the cost and complexity of replacing it with an implant, bridge or denture later. That said, if a tooth is severely broken, has very little remaining structure, or the infection is too advanced, extraction may genuinely be the better option. Dr Sri will give you an honest recommendation based on what is best for the tooth, not a one-size-fits-all answer.
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A crown after root canal treatment protects the tooth from fracture and restores its full function.
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Learn More →Ready to Book Your Visit?
Book a calm first visit — no pressure, no judgement, just a conversation about your options.