Dr Gregory Tilley, Specialist Endodontist

Dr Gregory Tilley is a specialist endodontist at Collins Street Specialist Centre, where he sees patients on Level 8 of the Manchester Unity Building, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne. Endodontics is the dental specialty concerned with the pulp inside a tooth (its nerve and blood supply) and the tissues around the root. Dr Tilley qualified in Melbourne in 1972, has practised as a specialist endodontist since 1979, and in recent years has concentrated on the overall management of complex cases. Call us on (03) 9650 2726 to arrange a consultation.

What qualifications does Dr Tilley hold?

His qualifications, as listed on our team page, are BDSc (Melb), LDS (Vic), FRACDS, MRACDS (Endo). In plain terms:

• BDSc (Melb): Bachelor of Dental Science, University of Melbourne.
• LDS (Vic): Licentiate of Dental Surgery (Victoria), completed in 1972.
• FRACDS: Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons. Dr Tilley's fellowship is in endodontics and restorative dentistry.
• MRACDS (Endo): Member of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in endodontics.

How did Dr Tilley come to specialise in endodontics?

Dr Tilley began his career as a general dentist and practised in that role until 1979. He then moved into specialist endodontic practice, working in both Tasmania and Victoria. He now has more than 35 years of clinical experience in the field. Having spent his early years in general practice, he understands the questions a family dentist faces when deciding whether a tooth can be kept, and this informs how he communicates with the dentists who send patients to him.

How is he involved in teaching and the profession?

Teaching has run alongside his clinical work for a long time. As an honorary Senior Fellow in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne, Dr Tilley has supervised and mentored dentists training to become endodontic specialists for well over 20 years. That role keeps him closely engaged with new developments in endodontic materials and technique.

His lecturing has taken him to all Australian states and abroad. At international meetings in the United States and Asia he has both presented papers and chaired sessions. He also consults to an international committee on the development of endodontic instruments and materials. Within Australia he has run introductory and advanced hands-on workshops, helping dentists move from hand instruments to rotary endodontics, or extending the skills of clinicians who already use rotary systems.

Dr Tilley is a past president of the Victorian branch of the Australian Dental Association. He is a member of the American Association of Endodontists, the Australian Society of Endodontology and the Australian & New Zealand Academy of Endodontists.

Which treatments does Dr Tilley provide?

As one of our endodontists, Dr Tilley assesses and treats teeth with an inflamed, infected or injured pulp. Endodontic care at our practice includes root canal treatment, re-treatment of a tooth that has had root canal treatment before, internal whitening of a darkened tooth, management of cracked teeth, care after dental trauma, and endodontic surgery where a tooth cannot be treated through the crown. His focus on complex cases means he often sees teeth that need careful assessment before deciding whether treatment is worthwhile. You can read more on our endodontics page.

Can I check Dr Tilley's registration?

Yes. Dr Tilley is listed with specialist registration in endodontics. Anyone can confirm a practitioner's registration on the public register at ahpra.gov.au, and we encourage patients to do so before any specialist treatment.

Preparing for a visit with Dr Tilley

Bring any recent X-rays or referral notes from your dentist, a list of your medicines, and your health fund card. It helps to note when the tooth hurts, what sets it off and how long the pain lasts. Useful questions to ask include whether the tooth can be restored afterwards, how many visits are likely, and what the alternatives are, including removal and replacement.

Who are our other endodontists?

Dr Tilley works with our other specialist endodontists, Prof Chankhrit Sathorn, Dr Aovana Timmerman and Dr Areti Vrochari. When a treated tooth needs a crown, or when a tooth cannot be kept, he can involve our prosthodontists, periodontists or oral and maxillofacial surgeons within the same practice.

Frequently asked questions

Does Dr Tilley only see patients referred by a dentist?

No. Our published guidance is that you do not need a referral to see our specialists, so you can book with Dr Tilley directly. Many of his patients are sent by their dentist, and if you have a letter or X-rays, bring them so he does not need to repeat images unnecessarily.

Can a tooth that has already had root canal treatment be treated again?

Often it can. Re-treatment involves removing the previous filling material from the canals, cleaning them again and resealing them. Whether it is suitable depends on the tooth's structure, the cause of the problem and how the tooth will be restored. Dr Tilley will explain the options, risks and likely outlook for your tooth.

Will Dr Tilley keep my own dentist informed?

Yes. With your consent we send your dentist a report on what was found and what was done, so they can place the final restoration or continue your routine care. Coordinated records help everyone involved understand the plan.

How long does endodontic treatment take?

It varies with the tooth and the complexity of its canals. Some teeth are treated in one appointment and others need two or more. Dr Tilley will give you an estimate of visits and fees after he has examined the tooth and reviewed the X-rays.

Related pages

• Endodontics
• Our team
• Our technology
• Payment plans
• Our location
• Contact us

Collins Street Specialist Centre at a glance

• Registered specialists in oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics and paediatric dentistry, in one practice.
• Level 8, Manchester Unity Building, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne, on the corner of Collins and Swanston Streets.
• No referral needed to book.
• Payment plans through Payright, TLC and Supercare, subject to eligibility.
• Call (03) 9650 2726 or email theteam@collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au.

Contact Collins Street Specialist Centre

Every patient is different, so results, recovery times and potential risks vary from person to person. This information is general in nature and is not a substitute for a consultation. Seek advice from an appropriately qualified, AHPRA-registered practitioner before proceeding with treatment.