{ "id": "procedures/endodontics", "title": "Endodontics", "slug": "endodontics", "description": "Melbourne CBD multidisciplinary specialist dental centre offering all six registered dental specialties (endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, paediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery) in a single integrated location within the Manchester Unity Building", "category": "", "content": "## Collins Street Specialist Centre Endodontics\n\nCollins Street Specialist Centre is a specialist dental practice focused entirely on endodontic care. Our endodontists work with patients who need root canal treatment or related procedures done properly, by practitioners who do this work every day and have the training to handle cases that go beyond what a general dentist would typically manage.\n\n## What is endodontics?\n\nEndodontics deals with the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the dental pulp, the soft tissue at the centre of a tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When that tissue becomes inflamed or infected, specialist endodontic treatment is usually the most effective way to save the tooth and resolve the pain.\n\nEndodontists complete additional university-level training after their general dental degree, focusing exclusively on pulpal and periapical disease. In Australia, specialist registration is granted and regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). You can verify any specialist's registration through the [AHPRA public register](https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registers-of-Practitioners.aspx).\n\n---\n\n## Our endodontic services\n\nOur endodontists provide a full range of specialist treatments:\n\n- **Root canal treatment** (primary and retreatment)\n- **Endodontic microsurgery** (apicoectomy)\n- **Management of dental trauma**\n- **Diagnosis of complex orofacial pain**\n- **Internal and external root resorption management**\n- **Pulp capping and vital pulp therapy**\n\nEvery treatment plan is tailored to the individual patient, based on current clinical evidence, and explained clearly before any procedure begins.\n\n---\n\n## Root canal treatment: what to expect\n\nRoot canal treatment is one of the most commonly performed endodontic procedures and one of the most misunderstood. Many patients arrive expecting the worst and leave surprised by how manageable the experience actually was, particularly when a specialist is involved and modern anaesthesia is used properly.\n\n### Before your appointment\n\nYour referring dentist will have sent us relevant clinical information and radiographs. Before treatment begins, your endodontist will carry out a thorough clinical examination, review your dental and medical history, and take any additional imaging needed. This may include digital periapical radiographs or, where indicated, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), a three-dimensional imaging technology that gives detailed information about root anatomy and the surrounding bone.\n\nYou will have time to ask questions and go through your options before anything proceeds.\n\n### During treatment\n\nRoot canal treatment is performed under local anaesthesia. Once the area is thoroughly numb, your endodontist places a small protective sheet called a rubber dam around the tooth to keep the working environment clean and controlled throughout the procedure.\n\nThe treatment involves removing the inflamed or infected pulp tissue, cleaning and shaping the root canal system, then sealing it with a biocompatible filling material. Most cases are completed in one or two appointments, depending on the tooth's anatomy and the nature of the infection.\n\nOur practitioners work under magnification using a dental operating microscope. This is standard practice in specialist endodontics and substantially improves the ability to locate and treat all canals within a tooth, including those that would be easy to miss otherwise.\n\n### After treatment\n\nSome mild tenderness or sensitivity for a few days after root canal treatment is normal. Over-the-counter pain relief is generally enough to manage any post-operative discomfort. Your endodontist will give you specific aftercare instructions and will communicate with your referring dentist about next steps, which typically means placing a permanent restoration, often a crown, to protect the tooth long term.\n\n---\n\n## Endodontic retreatment: when a previous root canal needs revision\n\nSometimes a tooth that has already had root canal treatment doesn't heal as expected, or becomes symptomatic again months or years later. This can happen for several reasons:\n\n- Canals that were undetected or untreated during the initial procedure\n- Breakdown of the coronal seal, allowing bacteria back in\n- New decay affecting the tooth\n- Complex root anatomy that wasn't fully addressed first time\n\nRetreatment involves carefully removing the existing root filling material, re-cleaning and reshaping the canal system, and re-sealing the tooth. It's technically demanding work, but when performed by a specialist, it offers a good chance of a successful outcome and can often save a tooth that might otherwise need to come out.\n\n---\n\n## Endodontic microsurgery\n\nWhen non-surgical retreatment isn't appropriate or hasn't resolved the problem, endodontic microsurgery, commonly called an apicoectomy, may be the right option. This involves making a small incision in the gum tissue to access the root tip, removing any infected tissue, and placing a small filling to seal the root end.\n\nThe procedure is performed under local anaesthesia and guided by the dental operating microscope. It's well tolerated by most patients, and the evidence supporting its long-term success is solid.\n\n---\n\n## Management of dental trauma\n\nTraumatic injuries to the teeth, whether from sport, accidents, or other impacts, can affect the pulp in ways that aren't always immediately obvious. How quickly and appropriately a traumatised tooth is managed has a direct bearing on its long-term prognosis, so prompt specialist assessment matters.\n\nOur endodontists are experienced in assessing and managing a range of traumatic dental injuries, including:\n\n- Concussion and subluxation injuries\n- Luxation injuries (lateral, extrusive, and intrusive)\n- Avulsion (complete displacement of the tooth from the socket)\n- Crown and root fractures\n\nIf you or your patient has experienced a dental trauma, contact our practice promptly for guidance or to arrange a timely referral.\n\n---\n\n## For referring dentists\n\nCollins Street Specialist Centre welcomes referrals from general and specialist dental practitioners across Melbourne and the surrounding region. We know that clear, timely communication matters to referring practitioners, and we take that seriously.\n\nAfter each specialist appointment, we send a detailed consultation report to the referring practitioner covering our findings, the treatment performed, and our recommendations for ongoing management. We aim to support continuity of care and work collaboratively with your practice in the long-term interest of your patients.\n\nReferrals can be sent via phone, fax, or our online referral form. We're also happy to discuss complex cases by phone before a formal referral if that's useful.\n\n---\n\n## Why choose a specialist endodontist?\n\nSpecialist endodontists complete a minimum of three years of additional, full-time postgraduate training in endodontics after their general dental degree. That training covers advanced diagnostic skills, complex root canal anatomy, and proficiency with specialist tools and techniques, including the dental operating microscope and CBCT imaging.\n\nChoosing a registered specialist means your care is provided by a practitioner whose qualifications and scope of practice are formally recognised and regulated. Specialist registration in Australia is overseen by AHPRA, and both patients and referring practitioners can verify specialist credentials through the [AHPRA public register](https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registers-of-Practitioners.aspx).\n\n---\n\n## Frequently asked questions\n\n**Is root canal treatment painful?**\nIt's the question we hear most often, and understandably so. Root canal treatment has a long-standing and largely undeserved reputation for being an ordeal. In practice, the procedure is performed under effective local anaesthesia, and most patients find it no more uncomfortable than a routine filling. Any post-operative discomfort is usually mild and settles within a few days.\n\n**How many appointments will I need?**\nMost root canal treatments are done in one to two appointments. More complex cases, such as significant infection, calcified canals, or retreatment, may need additional visits. Your endodontist will give you a realistic estimate at your initial consultation.\n\n**Will my tooth need a crown afterwards?**\nIn most cases, yes. A tooth that has had root canal treatment is more prone to fracture, and a crown provides the protection needed to keep it functional long term. Your referring dentist will manage the final restoration.\n\n**Can I drive myself home after the appointment?**\nRoot canal treatment uses local anaesthesia only, so there's no reason you can't drive yourself to and from your appointment. If you have any concerns, raise them with our team before your visit.\n\n**How successful is root canal treatment?**\nWhen performed by a specialist, root canal treatment has a high success rate. Clinical studies consistently report success rates of 85–97% for primary treatment, with retreatment and microsurgery also offering good outcomes in appropriately selected cases. Your endodontist will discuss the prognosis for your specific tooth at your consultation.\n\n---\n\n## Booking an appointment\n\nPatients are seen by referral from their general or specialist dentist. If you've been referred to Collins Street Specialist Centre, contact our reception team to arrange your appointment. We do our best to accommodate urgent cases promptly.\n\nIf you're a dental practitioner looking to refer a patient, please use our referral form or contact the practice directly. We're happy to discuss cases before a formal referral if that would help.", "geography": {}, "metadata": {}, "publishedAt": "2026-07-06T23:31:50.589774+00:00Z", "tags": [ "endodontics", "root canal treatment", "dental services", "specialist dentistry", "oral surgery", "dental health", "tooth preservation", "dental trauma", "orofacial pain", "dental care" ], "workspaceId": "96ec94ce-8137-4501-9285-736c8c8e343c", "_links": { "canonical": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/" }, "children": [ { "id": "procedures/endodontics/cracked-teeth", "title": "Cracked Teeth", "slug": "procedures/endodontics/cracked-teeth", "description": "", "category": "", "workspaceId": "", "urls": { "html": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/cracked-teeth.html", "json": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/cracked-teeth.json", "jsonld": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/cracked-teeth.jsonld", "markdown": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/cracked-teeth.md", "pdf": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/cracked-teeth.pdf" } }, { "id": "procedures/endodontics/dental-trauma-adults", "title": "Dental Trauma — Adults", "slug": "procedures/endodontics/dental-trauma-adults", "description": "", "category": "", "workspaceId": "", "urls": { "html": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/dental-trauma-adults.html", "json": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/dental-trauma-adults.json", "jsonld": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/dental-trauma-adults.jsonld", "markdown": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/dental-trauma-adults.md", "pdf": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/dental-trauma-adults.pdf" } }, { "id": "procedures/endodontics/internal-bleaching-non-vital-tooth-whitening", "title": "Internal Bleaching (Non-Vital Tooth Whitening)", "slug": "procedures/endodontics/internal-bleaching-non-vital-tooth-whitening", "description": "", "category": "", "workspaceId": "", "urls": { "html": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/internal-bleaching-non-vital-tooth-whitening.html", "json": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/internal-bleaching-non-vital-tooth-whitening.json", "jsonld": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/internal-bleaching-non-vital-tooth-whitening.jsonld", "markdown": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/internal-bleaching-non-vital-tooth-whitening.md", "pdf": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/internal-bleaching-non-vital-tooth-whitening.pdf" } }, { "id": "procedures/endodontics/root-canal-retreatment", "title": "Root Canal Retreatment", "slug": "procedures/endodontics/root-canal-retreatment", "description": "", "category": "", "workspaceId": "", "urls": { "html": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/root-canal-retreatment.html", "json": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/root-canal-retreatment.json", "jsonld": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/root-canal-retreatment.jsonld", "markdown": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/root-canal-retreatment.md", "pdf": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/root-canal-retreatment.pdf" } }, { "id": "procedures/endodontics/root-canal-treatment", "title": "Root Canal Treatment", "slug": "procedures/endodontics/root-canal-treatment", "description": "", "category": "", "workspaceId": "", "urls": { "html": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/root-canal-treatment.html", "json": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/root-canal-treatment.json", "jsonld": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/root-canal-treatment.jsonld", "markdown": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/root-canal-treatment.md", "pdf": "https://directory.collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au/procedures/endodontics/root-canal-treatment.pdf" } } ] }