How Much Does a Root Canal Cost in Perth, WA?

If you’re one of the few individuals out there who have never been unfortunate enough to experience a toothache, think yourself very lucky because it is one of life’s most unpleasant experiences.

A toothache not only causes a great deal of pain and discomfort, it can also serve as an indication that something is wrong orally, usually with your teeth and/or gums.

If you suffer with toothache, it can make seemingly trivial tasks like eating and drinking feel like painful ordeals and it can make you miserable. If you do experience toothache, you could very well need a root canal.

Pain in the tooth could be an indication of an infection of the dental pulp (the soft tissue in the centre of your teeth) in your teeth. An infection of the dental pulp, either through trauma or bacterial damage, can lead to the gradual decay of the tooth, and nobody wants that. The only solution could be a root canal.

In this article, we'll cover what to expect in the procedure, signs that you may need a root canal and break down the financial side of things so you can get an idea of the cost of root canal treatment in Perth, WA

What is a root canal treatment and what is involved?

Before we cover the cost of root canal treatment in Perth, let's first go into more detail about what root canal treatment actually is.

Typically, the treatment will be carried out by your dentist over 2 separate visits. Before the treatment begins, the dentist will take X-rays of the affected tooth to analyse the extent of the damage to the tooth and to determine whether a root canal is indeed the best form of treatment.

The patient will be given a local anaesthetic to numb the gum, the tooth, and the area around it where the procedure will be performed. Next, a dam (rubber sheet) will be placed over the tooth to make sure it stays dry during the root canal.

The tooth will be opened up through the crown in order for the dentist to access the dental pulp inside. Any damaged or infected pulp will be removed, allowing the dentist to enlarge and clean the root canal, as it is usually very thin and narrow.

After this, the tooth will be given a temporary filling which is removed on your second visit. Now, the root canal filling is inserted to seal the tooth and keep bacteria out, thereby preventing infection.

How do I know if I need root canal treatment?

Before we can look at root canal costs, first we need for you to determine whether or not you actually do need root canal treatment.
Only your dentist can determine for sure whether you need a root canal procedure, but there are certain warning signs to be aware of first.

• Pain - The first, and most obvious warning that you may need a root canal procedure is pain in and around the tooth.
  
  If you have an infection affecting the dental pulp inside your tooth, the pain you experience will be intense and will be borderline unbearable in some instances. The only thing that will cure it will be a root canal treatment.
  
  
• Difficulty eating - Another tell-tale sign that you need a root canal procedure is if you have trouble eating. Because infected teeth are typically inflamed from within, chewing, and even drinking liquids, can become a very painful ordeal.
  
  Obviously, we need to eat and drink to live, so a root canal procedure is of course vital.
  
  
• A blackened tooth - If you have a tooth, or teeth, that have turned black, grey, or dark blue, this could be a sign of infection. Just be aware that bad oral hygiene can also cause discolouration of the teeth, so it could be that. Either way however, a visit to the dentist will be needed if you have the above.

How much does a root canal cost in Perth, WA?

If you believe you might need a root canal but you're worried about the cost of a root canal in Perth, we’ll now break down the financial side of things so you can get a better idea of how much it will cost.

According to the National Fee Survey, if you do require a root canal treatment, depending on which practice you visit, you can expect to pay anything from $750 - $1500 on average, sometimes a little more, and sometimes a little less.

Remember, these procedures are complex and time-consuming, and although the fees may seem steep to some, considering the improvements to quality of life that they make, most would agree that the costs involved are well worth it.

A root canal is considered the quickest, most hassle-free dental treatment and is much more affordable than a tooth extraction.

Is root canal treatment covered by Medicare?

In terms of root canal cost, some of you may be wondering and hoping optimistically, whether Medicare will cover a root canal procedure.
Well, sorry to be the bearers of bad news, but we can confirm that Medicare does not offer any dental coverage unfortunately.