If my tooth has stopped hurting, do I still need a root canal?

Possibly. A tooth can be infected without causing pain, and pain easing does not always mean the underlying problem has resolved — in some cases it can indicate that the nerve has died while infection continues. Only a clinical assessment, usually with an X-ray, can determine whether treatment is needed. We do not diagnose dental problems online.

How long does root canal therapy take?

As a guide, the procedure usually takes around one to two hours, and in suitable cases it can be completed in a single visit. Some teeth need a second appointment. The time required depends on the tooth and the complexity of the canals, which your dentist will explain after assessing your situation.

What happens after a root canal?

A tooth treated with root canal therapy can become more brittle, so a restoration — frequently a crown — is commonly recommended to protect it and restore function. Your dentist will discuss what is appropriate for your tooth. As with any dental treatment, outcomes vary between individuals and all treatment carries some risk; these are discussed with you beforehand.

relieve dental pain

Root canal therapy in Geelong.

A treatment that aims to relieve dental pain and, where suitable, retain your natural tooth — carried out under local anaesthetic at our Norlane practice. Suitability is confirmed after a clinical assessment, and individual results vary.

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Tooth restoration
Independent · since 1974

est. 1974 Relieving dental pain Carried out under local anaesthetic Norlane · Geelong Single visit where suitable Sedation pathway available est. 1974 Relieving dental pain Carried out under local anaesthetic Norlane · Geelong Single visit where suitable Sedation pathway available

Root Canal · Norlane
Est. 1974

save your teeth

Care that aims to relieve pain and, where suitable, keep your natural tooth.

Root canal therapy treats a tooth when the soft tissue inside it — the pulp — becomes inflamed or infected. The inflamed or infected pulp is removed, the inner canals are carefully cleaned and shaped, and the space is sealed before the tooth is restored. The aim is to settle the infection and, in suitable cases, retain a natural tooth that might otherwise need to be removed. Outcomes vary between individuals, and what is right for you is determined after a clinical assessment.

Assessment-led care

Norlane Dental · Geelong

When root canal may be needed

Signs and causes

Inflammation or infection inside a tooth can develop for several reasons. The warning signs below are worth having checked — though only a clinical assessment can confirm whether root canal therapy is appropriate for you.

Why a tooth becomes inflamed or infected.

Common causes & what untreated infection can lead to

Deep decay, a cracked or damaged tooth, an injury to a tooth, or a previous filling or crown that is failing. Left untreated, infection can spread — leading to swelling around the face or neck, bone loss around the root, or a dental abscess. Earlier assessment generally means more options.

N° 01

Sign · Pain

Persistent toothache

Ongoing or spontaneous pain in or around a tooth, sometimes worse at night or when biting down.

Toothache & dental pain

N° 02

Sign · Sensitivity

Lingering hot & cold

Sharp sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the source is removed, rather than easing straight away.

Sensitive teeth

N° 03

Sign · Trauma

A darkened tooth

Discolouration of a single tooth, often following an old knock or injury, can point to changes in the nerve inside.

Broken or injured tooth

N° 04

Sign · Gums

Sore, tender gums

Tenderness, or a small pimple-like spot on the gum near a tooth, sometimes with discomfort when chewing.

Dental abscess

N° 01

Sign · Pain

Persistent toothache

Ongoing or spontaneous pain in or around a tooth, sometimes worse at night or when biting down.

Toothache & dental pain

N° 02

Sign · Sensitivity

Lingering hot & cold

Sharp sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the source is removed, rather than easing straight away.

Sensitive teeth

N° 03

Sign · Trauma

A darkened tooth

Discolouration of a single tooth, often following an old knock or injury, can point to changes in the nerve inside.

Broken or injured tooth

N° 01

Sign · Gums

Sore, tender gums

Tenderness, or a small pimple-like spot on the gum near a tooth, sometimes with discomfort when chewing.

Dental abscess

These signs do not always mean a root canal is required, and a tooth can be infected without causing any pain. The only way to know is a clinical assessment, usually including an X-ray — we do not diagnose dental problems online.

The Procedure

What root canal therapy involves.

Carried out under local anaesthetic

Each step is explained as we go. More complex cases may be referred to an endodontist — a dentist with additional training in root canal treatment.

01.

Assess

Assessment & imaging

An examination and X-ray help your dentist assess the tooth, the canals, and the extent of any infection before anything begins.

02.

Numb

Local anaesthetic

The area is numbed with local anaesthetic so the tooth and surrounding tissue are comfortable throughout the procedure.

03.

Clean

Cleaning & shaping

The inflamed or infected pulp is removed, and the inner canals are carefully cleaned, flushed, and shaped ready to be sealed.

04.

Restore

Filling & restoration

The canals are filled and sealed, then the tooth is restored — often with a crown — to protect it and return it to function.

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Comfort & care

Nervous about dental treatment?

Feeling anxious about a root canal is common. We take time to explain each step, work at a pace that suits you, and offer options to help you feel more at ease — from a calmer chairside approach to sedation pathways for suitable patients.

Laughing gas (nitrous oxide)

Sleep dentistry

Watch the video

Sedation and anaesthesia options are suitable only for some patients and are assessed individually. IV sedation and general anaesthesia are provided through our partner facility, Geelong Sleep Dentistry.

Comfort & sedation

Full Arch Dental Implants Under Sedation

Marah's Case Study

Norlane Dental · Geelong

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Good to know

Root canal therapy, answered.

Common questions about wearing, cleaning and replacing retainers. If yours isn't here, our team is happy to help.

The aim of root canal therapy is to relieve pain, not to cause it. The treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic, which numbs the area, and many people find the experience comparable to having a routine filling.

Some tenderness around the tooth for a few days afterwards is normal and usually settles. Individual experiences vary, and your dentist will discuss comfort options — including sedation pathways — at your appointment.

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Important information

This page is general information only and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional advice. Any invasive or surgical procedure carries risks. Root canal therapy is suitable only for some patients, and suitability — along with the benefits, risks, and alternatives such as extraction — is determined after a clinical assessment of your individual circumstances. Outcomes and individual results vary.

We do not diagnose dental conditions online. You are encouraged to ask questions and to seek a second opinion before proceeding. If you are experiencing severe pain, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, seek urgent care.

Begin the conversation

A clinical assessment.

Request an appointment online, or speak with our Norlane team directly. We will listen to your concerns, explain what an assessment involves, and find a time that suits you.

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Call (03) 5278 2666

Location

Norlane Dental Aesthetics & Implants

21 Princes Highway
Norlane VIC 3214

Direct line

(03) 5278 2666

Reception is happy to help with enquiries and appointments

Hours

Mon – Thu · 8:30am – 6:30pm
Fri · 8:30am – 5:30pm
Sat · 8:30am – 4:00pm

Parking

Ample free on-site parking