Root Canal Costs: With & Without Insurance
Table of Contents
- Who Performs a Root Canal?
- Average Root Canal Costs
- Other Cost Factors
- Reduce Costs With Insurance
- What to Expect
- Offsetting the Cost
- Overview of Root Canal Costs
- Root Canal Cost FAQs
A root canal will cost significantly more out of pocket without dental insurance coverage.
The out-of-pocket cost of a root canal can range from $200 with good dental insurance to over $1,600 without insurance. The price is also impacted by which tooth is affected, where you live and have the procedure done, and how extensive the procedure needs to be.
Even if you don’t have dental insurance, there are ways to offset the cost. You can use a health savings account (HSA) or set up a dental payment plan.
Who Performs a Root Canal?
A root canal is often necessary when tooth decay has weakened the structure of the tooth, and dead or dying tissue needs to be removed. It is considered a medically necessary procedure, and it is often covered by dental insurance as a result.
Many general dentists perform root canals, especially when the procedure is relatively straightforward and involves a front tooth.
If the root canal procedure required is complex — for example, involving multiple roots or a decayed back molar — they may refer a patient to an endodontist.
An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in tooth pain diagnosis, root canal treatment, and other issues dealing with the interior of the tooth. They are specialists because they’ve completed at least two years of additional education in this area after completing dental school.
In the United States, medical professionals who specialize can charge more than those who do not. It’s one of the reasons that surgeons make more money than regular general practitioners do. It’s also a reason that endodontists make more than general dentists do.
Average Root Canal Costs
The average cost of a root canal in the United States is between $600 and $1,600 without insurance. Where your tooth is located has a major role in your costs. This table can help you understand the differences:
Type of tooth | Average cost |
Front | $620-$1,100 |
Premolar (teeth between your front teeth and the back molars) | $720-$1,300 |
Molar (your back teeth) | $890-$1,500 |
The cost is going to be based on which tooth needs the procedure and where it is located in your mouth. For example, front (anterior) teeth are typically the easiest to access, so the root canal will cost less than it would for a bicuspid or molar. Molars are generally the most expensive teeth for root canal procedures.
Factors influencing cost can include the following:
Where you live: Where you live influences the average cost.
Who does the procedure: A general dentist will typically cost less than an endodontist.
Difficulty of the procedure: The more extensive the root canal, the higher the cost.
Dental insurance coverage: Insurance can lower your out-of-pocket costs.
Other Factors that Affect Cost
These other factors could increase the cost of your root canal:
Overview of Root Canal Costs
| Location of root canal | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Front tooth | $1,000 |
| Bicuspid | $1,100 |
| Molar | $1,300–$1,600 |
| Additional factors that could increase cost | Your geographic location (certain cities or regions may be more expensive) If your procedure is performed by a specialist rather than a general dentist Exam and x-ray fees If other treatment is needed, such as cleanings or other fillings Complexity of procedure, such as if multiple tooth roots are involved Anesthesia fees (cost depends on type of anesthesia used) If your root canal is scheduled or an emergency procedure (emergency fee) Your insurance coverage |
Reduce Costs With Insurance
Dental insurance can cut the cost of your root canal in half, depending on your coverage. Several types of dental plans exist, and knowing what type you have is important before you schedule something like a root canal.
The American Dental Association says these are common types of dental plans:
Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO): These plans require that you work with a dentist in a network, and fees for services are typically fixed.
Dental Health Maintenance Organizations (DHMO): Dentists must provide contracted services at no or reduced costs.
Indemnity plans: Companies typically pay a percentage of the fees, and consumers must pick up the rest.
Point of Service: These plans require people to seek care from network providers or pay more to use someone else.
Discounts: Some programs offer discounts for care, but they don’t pay for anything in full.
On average, dental insurance covers 30% to 50% of a root canal. However, the type of plan has a deep impact on the cost.
Your dentist should help you use your insurance plan properly. For example, your dentist should document why you need a root canal and submit paperwork to the insurance plan. Your dentist office should also provide an estimate that tells you how much you’ll pay after insurance.
Comprehensive dental insurance often costs more in monthly premiums but will have lower deductibles and out-of-pocket costs for procedures like root canals. Basic dental insurance is often free or very low cost on a monthly basis, but the deductibles are higher, and it may only cover a small portion of your root canal procedure.
The average cost of a root canal when you have insurance coverage ranges from $200 to over $1,000. Again, specific pricing will depend on the tooth’s location, the difficulty of the procedure, and where it is performed.
Dental insurance will cost you more up front, but it can save you a lot of money down the road when you need procedures like this.
What to Expect
When getting a root canal, you need to be prepared for costs that might be billed as additional charges. A root canal will often require the following:
Multiple visits to the dentist or specialist
Medications both before and after the root canal
Talk to your dental provider ahead of time to learn about all the potential costs that need to be considered for your root canal, so you are not surprised later.
Offsetting the Cost
Aside from dental insurance, you can opt for a dental discount plan that can save you money on dental procedures, such as a root canal. These plans usually have an annual fee. They are membership programs that work with a network of dentists to offer discounted rates.
You will need to pay for your services when you get them, but the cost is generally lower than it would be without such a plan.
Dental offices often offer discounts if you pay the entire cost in one payment up front or in cash. Many also offer dental payment plans to help you spread out the cost over a longer period of time, making the payments more manageable. Often, you can use an HSA or special tax-exempt medical savings account to pay for the procedure as well.
Community dental centers and dental schools may offer root canals at lower prices. Many states have programs to help people afford dental care and necessary root canals when cost is a deterrent. Nonprofit organizations, such as Dental Lifeline, run programs to help people afford the dental care they need.