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Dora Street Dental
General Dentistry

Root Canal Therapy.

Save a tooth that would otherwise need extraction.

  • 60 to 90 minutes per session, often 1 to 2 visits
  • Once per affected tooth
  • All major health funds
Book this treatmentCall (02) 9570 4044
Considered, careful treatment work

When the nerve of a tooth becomes infected, root canal therapy removes the infection and seals the inside of the tooth, letting you keep your natural tooth for years to come.

Dr James Bakker at work in the surgery
Close treatment work at Dora Street Dental
The Dora Street Dental team treating a patient

What to expect

How a root canal therapy
appointment runs.

We keep things calm and unhurried. Here's the rhythm you can expect from start to finish, no surprises.

  1. Diagnosis

    We confirm the tooth needs root canal therapy with x-rays and gentle tests. We talk through the alternative, extraction and replacement, so you understand both paths.

  2. Numbing & isolation

    We numb thoroughly and place a rubber dam, a small barrier that keeps the tooth dry and stops anything reaching your throat. Most patients say this is what makes it feel comfortable.

  3. Cleaning the canals

    We open the tooth from the top, remove the infected tissue, then clean and shape the canals with fine instruments and irrigation.

  4. Sealing & next steps

    We seal the canals and place a temporary filling. Most root-canal-treated teeth then need a crown to protect them from fracture, we'll plan that for a follow-up visit.

What's included

Every appointment, in full.

  • Diagnostic x-rays to confirm diagnosis
  • Local anaesthetic, full numbing before any work begins
  • Rubber dam isolation for cleanliness and comfort
  • Removal of infected nerve tissue
  • Cleaning and shaping of the root canals
  • Sealing with a biocompatible filling material
  • Temporary restoration (a permanent crown is usually placed at a later visit)

Why it matters

Modern root canal treatment is comfortable, predictable, and far better than losing the tooth.

Common questions

Things people
often ask.

Can't see your question? Call us on (02) 9570 4044 and we'll happily talk it through.

Does a root canal hurt?

Root canal therapy is done under local anaesthetic and shouldn't be painful, most patients are surprised at how comfortable it is. The toothache that brings people in is usually far worse than the treatment.

How long does it take?

Most root canals are completed in one or two visits of about 60 to 90 minutes each. Front teeth tend to be quicker than back molars, which have more canals.

Why do I need a crown afterwards?

A root-canal-treated tooth becomes more brittle. A crown caps the tooth and reduces the risk of fracture, which is the most common cause of long-term failure.

What's the success rate?

When done well, root canal therapy has a high success rate, but no procedure is 100%. Outcomes depend on the tooth, the extent of infection and how well the tooth is restored afterwards. We discuss your individual case at consultation.

Can I just have the tooth pulled instead?

You can, and sometimes that's the right choice. But losing a tooth means either leaving a gap, a bridge, or an implant, all of which involve more long-term cost and complexity. We'll talk you through both options honestly.

What if it's still painful afterwards?

Some tenderness for a few days is normal. Persistent or worsening pain after a week isn't, call us straight away.

Hurstville & St George

Caring for root canal therapy patients across the local area.

We see patients from Hurstville, Penshurst, Allawah, Mortdale, Carlton, Beverly Hills and across the wider St George and Sutherland Shire region. The practice is a short walk from Hurstville Station with on-street parking nearby.

Dr James Bakker beside the DORA ST DENTAL signage at 39 Dora Street, Hurstville

39 Dora Street, Hurstville

Caring for our local Hurstville community.

Booking

Ready to book your root canal therapy?

Call us or book online, we'll find a time that suits.

Book onlineCall (02) 9570 4044

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