Clinically reviewed by Dr Vikram Bansal BDS MDS, Principal Dentist | Last reviewed September 2026
Severe Toothache or Swelling Right Now?
Throbbing pain, facial swelling or an abscess needs prompt assessment. Call the practice and appointments are arranged according to urgency and availability.
What Is Root Canal Treatment and When Is It Needed?
Inside every tooth is a soft core of nerves and blood vessels called the pulp. When bacteria reach the pulp through deep decay, a crack, a large old filling or an injury, the pulp becomes inflamed and then infected. Root canal treatment (also called endodontic treatment or RCT) removes that tissue, disinfects the canals and seals them so the tooth can stay in place.
It is recommended when the pulp cannot recover on its own. Common triggers include:
- Untreated decay that has reached the nerve
- A cracked or fractured tooth
- A deep filling placed close to the nerve
- Trauma from a knock or fall, even years earlier
- Repeated dental work on the same tooth
If you are unsure what is causing a toothache, our guide to sudden tooth pain explains the usual causes.
What Are the Signs You May Need a Root Canal?
Symptoms vary, and some infected teeth cause no pain at all until an X-ray or CBCT scan picks them up. The signs below warrant an assessment.
Lingering sensitivity
Pain from hot or cold that continues for more than a few seconds after the trigger is gone.
Pain on biting
A sharp or deep ache when chewing, or a tooth that feels raised or different when you bite.
Throbbing toothache
Spontaneous pain, often worse at night or when lying down.
Swelling or a gum pimple
Tenderness in the gum or jaw, or a small bump on the gum that may release fluid.
A darkened tooth
A single tooth turning grey or brown, which can indicate the nerve has died.
Bad taste or odour
A persistent unpleasant taste near one tooth, a sign that infection is draining.
Pain that fades on its own does not mean the problem has resolved. A nerve that has died stops hurting, but the infection at the root continues.
What Happens During Root Canal Treatment at Sandgate Bayside Dental?
Treatment follows the same sequence for every tooth. What changes is the number of canals and, with it, the number of visits.
1. Assessment and imaging
A digital X-ray shows the extent of the infection. Where the canal anatomy is unclear or the infection has reached the bone, a CBCT scan may be taken in the same visit on our in-practice scanner, giving a three-dimensional view of the roots before treatment begins.
2. Local anaesthetic and isolation
The tooth is numbed and is isolated to keep it dry and free of saliva throughout the procedure.
3. Access and removal of the pulp
A small opening is made in the top of the tooth and the inflamed or infected tissue is removed from each canal.
4. Cleaning and shaping
Rotary endodontic instruments and an electronic apex locator are used to clean and shape each canal to its full working length, and antibacterial solutions disinfect the canal system.
5. Filling and sealing
The canals are filled with gutta-percha and sealed to stop bacteria re-entering. A temporary filling closes the access opening.
6. Final restoration
Once the tooth has settled, it is permanently restored, usually with a crown for back teeth, to protect it from fracture.
Front teeth usually have one canal and are often completed in one to two visits. Molars have three or four canals and may need two to three visits, particularly where infection is active.
The CBCT scanner at Sandgate Bayside Dental. Scans are taken in the same visit as your assessment.
Root Canal or Extraction: Which Is Better for the Tooth?
When a tooth can be restored, keeping it is usually the better option. A root-treated tooth keeps the bite stable, the neighbouring teeth in position and the jawbone intact.
Root canal treatment
- Keeps the natural tooth, root and jawbone
- One or two visits, then a crown
- Back to normal within a day; mild soreness for two to three days
- No gap to replace, so no further treatment once the crown is fitted
Extraction
- Removes the infection with the tooth in a single visit
- Socket heals over seven to ten days; bone takes months to settle
- Lower cost on the day, but the gap usually needs a dental implant, bridge or denture
- Left unfilled, neighbouring teeth drift and the jawbone shrinks
Extraction may be advised when the tooth is split, has very little structure left, or has severe bone loss around the root. Your dentist will explain which applies after examining the tooth and the imaging.
Can Root Canal Treatment Be Done Under Sedation?
Yes. Many people put off root canal treatment because of dental anxiety rather than the procedure itself. Sandgate Bayside Dental offers two options, both arranged before the appointment:
- Oral sedation for mild to moderate anxiety, taken before the appointment so you feel calm and drowsy while remaining responsive.
- IV sedation administered and monitored by a dedicated sedationist for patients who prefer to have little awareness of the treatment. Longer or multi-tooth cases can often be completed in one sedated appointment.
See the sedation dentistry page for how each option works and what to expect on the day.
How Much Does Root Canal Treatment Cost in Brisbane?
The fee depends on four things: which tooth is involved, how many canals it has, whether a CBCT scan is needed, and whether a crown is required afterwards. A front tooth with one canal costs less than a molar with four, and the crown is quoted separately.
You will receive an itemised estimate before treatment begins. Sandgate Bayside Dental claims on the spot through HICAPS and is a participating practice in the nib First Choice Network, HCF Members’ Choice, TUH Preferred Provider, HIF Choice Network and Westfund programs. Members of other funds can still claim their extras rebate here.
Payment plans are available through Afterpay, Zip, Humm and DentiCare, from $50 a week. See interest free payment plans for details, and let reception know before your appointment if you would like to use one.
What Happens After Root Canal Treatment?
Numbness wears off within a few hours and most patients return to work the same day. Some tenderness on biting for two or three days is normal.
First few days
- Use over-the-counter pain relief as directed if the tooth is tender
- Chew on the other side until the permanent restoration is placed
- Take any prescribed medication as instructed
- Brush and floss as normal, gently around the tooth
Completing the restoration
- Return for the crown or final filling once the tooth has settled
- A temporary filling is not designed to last long, so keep this appointment
- Contact the practice if swelling increases or pain worsens rather than eases
Long term
- A root-treated tooth with a well-fitting crown can remain in function for many years
- It is checked at routine examinations like any other tooth
- Crowns may need replacement over time through normal wear
Can I Avoid Needing a Root Canal?
Not always, but most root canals begin as problems that are silent in their early stages. Catching them early usually means a smaller treatment.
Regular check-ups
A six-monthly examination finds decay and cracks before they reach the nerve.
Routine X-rays
Every 12 to 24 months depending on your risk, to see decay between teeth and under old fillings.
Monitor large fillings
Teeth with big fillings near the nerve can crack; a crown may protect them before they fail.
Protect against cracks
A nightguard if you grind, a mouthguard for sport, and care with very hard foods.
When Is a Root Canal an Emergency?
Infection inside a tooth becomes urgent when it starts to spread. Contact the practice the same day if you have any of the following:
- Intense, throbbing pain that keeps you awake
- Swelling in the gum, face or jaw that is increasing
- An abscess, felt as a painful lump on the gum
- Fever or feeling generally unwell alongside a toothache
- A tooth that has been knocked, cracked or chipped and is now painful
Urgent appointments are arranged Monday to Friday and on the first and third Saturday of each month. See emergency dental care for what to do while you wait to be seen.
Root Canal Treatment Near Sandgate and North Brisbane
Sandgate Bayside Dental is at 74 Loudon Street, Sandgate QLD 4017, near Sandgate train station with free parking nearby. Root canal treatment, CBCT imaging and sedation are all provided on site, so treatment that might otherwise mean a referral across Brisbane can be completed locally.
Patients attend from Shorncliffe, Brighton, Deagon, Bracken Ridge, Bald Hills, Boondall, Taigum, Clontarf and Redcliffe. Read about the dentists on the Meet Our Team page.
Root Canal Treatment: Frequently Asked Questions
Is root canal treatment painful?
Root canal treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic, so the tooth and surrounding area are numb during the procedure. Most patients describe it as similar to having a filling placed, although the appointment is longer. Some tenderness for a few days afterwards is normal and is usually managed with over-the-counter pain relief.
How many visits does a root canal take?
Most root canal treatments at Sandgate Bayside Dental are completed in one or two visits. Front teeth usually have a single canal and can often be finished in one to two appointments; molars have three or four canals and may need a second or third visit. A crown appointment usually follows once the tooth has settled.
Do I need to take time off work after a root canal?
Usually not. Numbness wears off within a few hours and most patients return to normal activities the same day. Mild discomfort in the first two or three days is common and typically responds to simple pain relief. Chew on the other side of your mouth until the tooth has been permanently restored.
Will I need a crown after root canal treatment?
In most cases, yes, particularly for back teeth. A root-treated tooth becomes more brittle over time, and a crown protects it from fracturing under chewing forces. Front teeth with little structure lost can sometimes be restored with a filling alone. Your dentist will advise which restoration suits your tooth.
Should I have the tooth removed instead of a root canal?
Keeping the natural tooth is usually recommended when it can be restored. Extraction leaves a gap that can allow neighbouring teeth to drift and the jawbone to shrink, and replacing the tooth with an implant, bridge or denture adds cost and time. If the tooth is too damaged to restore, extraction may be the right option.
Can I have root canal treatment under sedation?
Yes. Sandgate Bayside Dental offers oral sedation for mild to moderate dental anxiety and IV sedation with a dedicated sedationist for patients who prefer to have little awareness of the procedure. Both options need to be arranged before your appointment, so mention it when you book and the team will plan it with you.
What happens if an infected tooth is left untreated?
The infection inside the tooth can spread into the surrounding bone, forming an abscess, and in some cases into the face or neck. Pain often worsens, the tooth may eventually need extraction, and treatment becomes more complex and costly. Early assessment improves the chance of keeping the tooth.
Can antibiotics fix an infected tooth instead of a root canal?
No. Antibiotics can reduce swelling and control a spreading infection for a short time, but they cannot reach the dead tissue sealed inside the tooth, so the infection returns once the course ends. Only removing that tissue through root canal treatment, or removing the tooth, resolves the source. Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed alongside treatment, not instead of it.
Can I drive home after root canal treatment?
Yes, if the treatment was done under local anaesthetic alone. Numbness in the lip or cheek does not affect driving. If you have oral sedation or IV sedation, you cannot drive for the rest of the day and must be collected by a responsible adult, which the practice confirms with you when the sedation is arranged.
What affects the cost of root canal treatment?
The cost depends on which tooth is treated, how many canals it has, whether a CBCT scan is needed, and whether a crown is required afterwards. Sandgate Bayside Dental provides an itemised estimate before treatment begins, claims on the spot through HICAPS, and offers payment plans through Afterpay, Zip, Humm and DentiCare from $50 a week.
Do I need a referral to an endodontist?
Most root canal treatments are completed at Sandgate Bayside Dental without a referral. Complex cases, such as canals that are blocked, sharply curved or previously treated, may be referred to an endodontist. Your dentist will assess the tooth with X-rays or a CBCT scan and tell you at the consultation which path applies.
Where is root canal treatment available near Sandgate?
Sandgate Bayside Dental provides root canal treatment at 74 Loudon Street, Sandgate QLD 4017, near Sandgate train station with free parking nearby. Patients attend from Shorncliffe, Brighton, Deagon, Bracken Ridge, Bald Hills, Boondall, Taigum, Clontarf and Redcliffe. Appointments can be booked online or by phone on 07 3269 2443.
Book a Root Canal Assessment in Sandgate
An examination and X-ray will confirm whether the tooth can be saved and what the treatment involves. Book online or call the practice.
About Us
For over 30 years, our practice has been caring for people from Sandgate, Shorncliffe, Brighton, Deagon, Bracken Ridge, Bald Hills, Boondall, Taigum, Fitzgibbon, Woody Point, Clontarf, Margate and Redcliffe and other surrounding areas.
Our main priority is to provide affordable, gentle and quality dental care to the Sandgate and surrounding communities.
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