Root canal
Root canal treatment from AUD 142 - save teeth | Picasso Vietnam
Root canal treatment for Australian patients at Picasso Dental Clinic Vietnam — save vs extract decision table, AUD costs by tooth type, crown follow-up, and trip planning.
Root canal treatment at Picasso Dental Clinic costs AUD 142–AUD 283 per tooth depending on tooth type — compared with AUD 1,400–AUD 2,800 per tooth at Australian private clinics — removing infected pulp to save a tooth that would otherwise be extracted, with crown placement on the same Vietnam trip.
Root canal treatment at Picasso Dental Clinic saves teeth that would otherwise be extracted, at AUD 142–AUD 283 per tooth. Australian private clinics typically charge AUD 1,400–AUD 2,800 per tooth for the same procedure — without the crown that usually follows.
This page covers the save vs extract decision, AUD prices by tooth type, what happens when you need root canal and crown on the same trip, and honest guidance on when root canal is not the right choice.
AUD price table — root canal by tooth type
| Tooth type | Canals | Picasso AUD | AU private range (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incisor / canine (single root) | 1 | AUD 142 | AUD 1,400 – AUD 1,800 |
| Premolar (1–2 roots) | 1–2 | AUD 198 | AUD 1,600 – AUD 2,200 |
| Molar (multiple roots) | 3–4 | AUD 283 | AUD 1,800 – AUD 2,800 |
Add crown placement for complete restoration:
| Total scenario | Picasso (AUD) | AU private range (AUD) | Indicative saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Molar RCT + Emax crown | AUD 793 | AUD 3,300 – AUD 5,600 | AUD 2,500 – AUD 4,800 |
| 3 molar RCT + 3 crowns | AUD 2,379 | AUD 9,900 – AUD 16,800 | AUD 7,500 – AUD 14,400 |
Save vs extract — the decision framework
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Tooth has adequate remaining structure for crown | Save — root canal + crown |
| Tooth is cracked below the gum line | Extract — root canal will not hold |
| Bone loss around root exceeds 50% | Clinical judgement needed — may be extract |
| Patient is replacing with implant regardless | Consider extract + implant plan |
| Molar with healthy adjacent teeth | Save — losing a molar shifts bite load to adjacent teeth |
| Tooth is a wisdom tooth | Usually extract — root canal on wisdom teeth is rarely justified |
Picasso’s written plan states the recommendation for each tooth before treatment begins.
Trip planning for root canal + crown patients
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Assessment, X-ray, diagnosis confirmation |
| Day 2 | Root canal (1–2 hours per tooth) |
| Day 3 | Post and build-up if required; crown preparation and impressions |
| Days 4–7 | Laboratory fabricating crown (3–4 working days) |
| Day 7–8 | Crown fitting and bite adjustment |
For multiple teeth, additional root canals are done in parallel sessions — the crown turn controls the trip length.
What to do if you have acute toothache before flying
Do not fly with an unresolved dental abscess or severe swelling. See your Australian dentist first for:
- Antibiotics to control the acute infection
- Drainage if swelling is significant
- Temporary dressing to manage pain
Then book Vietnam once the acute episode is resolved. Flying with an active infection risks pressure-related pain and can worsen the infection at altitude.
If the pain is severe and you cannot reach a dentist: call 000 for an ambulance if swelling is spreading to the face or neck. Otherwise attend a hospital emergency department or an after-hours dental clinic.
Private health fund note
Root canal is a covered item under most Australian private health extras major dental. Check your annual limit and item codes before travelling — some funds allow partial claims even for overseas treatment if receipts are provided. Retain your Picasso itemised invoice.
Related pages
- Root canal cost — full AUD breakdown
- Dental crowns — material options and AUD pricing
- Crown cost — crown pricing detail
- Dental implants — when extraction is the right choice
- What if something goes wrong — triage pathway
- Free AUD quote
Frequently asked questions
How much is root canal treatment in Australia?
Australian private clinics charge AUD 1,400–AUD 2,800 per root canal depending on tooth type and complexity. Molars with multiple canals are at the higher end. Medicare does not cover root canal. Some private health extras funds cover a portion — check your annual limit.
When is extraction better than root canal?
When the tooth is non-restorable (insufficient structure for a crown), the bone loss around the root is severe, or the patient is replacing with an implant regardless. Picasso's written plan states whether root canal is viable for each tooth — extraction with implant planning is discussed if it is not.
Do I need a crown after root canal?
For molars and premolars, yes — almost always. Root-treated back teeth become brittle and fracture without crown protection. Front teeth sometimes do not require crowns if sufficient tooth structure remains. The Picasso plan will specify crown requirement per tooth.
Can root canal and crown be done on the same trip?
Yes. This is the standard Picasso approach — root canal on days 1–2, crown prep and impressions on day 3, crown fitting days 7–8. The trip length is 7–10 days for a straightforward single tooth.
Is root canal painful?
The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia. Post-procedure soreness is common for 48–72 hours. Severe or worsening pain after 72 hours should be reported to Picasso — it may indicate incomplete debridement or a missed canal.
What happens if I have an infection on arrival?
Antibiotics are prescribed first if active infection is present. Root canal is performed once the acute infection is managed. Book with enough buffer days to allow for this — a planned 7-day trip may need 10 days if acute infection requires stabilisation first.