Root Canal Costs: With & Without Insurance
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Table of Contents
- Who Performs a Root Canal?
- Average Root Canal Costs
- Other Cost Factors
- Overview of Root Canal Costs
- Reduce Costs With Insurance
- What to Expect
- Offsetting the Cost
- Root Canal Cost FAQs
- References
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.
Average Root Canal Costs
The average cost of a root canal in the United States is between $600 and $1,600 without insurance.
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:
Exam & X-Ray Fees
Other Treatment Needs
Location of Tooth & Complexity of Procedure
If the tooth needing a root canal is in the back of the mouth, it may be harder to reach and work on, meaning a longer treatment time and possibly a higher price.
Getting a root canal on your bicuspid teeth (the teeth before molars in your mouth) is generally more expensive than having the procedure done on your front teeth, which are the most easily accessible. While a root canal on a front tooth will cost around $1,000 on average, a root canal on a bicuspid tooth may cost around $1,100. The molars in the back of the mouth are usually most expensive for root canals, with an average cost of $1,300 to $1,600.
If your tooth condition is severe or complex (for example, involving multiple tooth roots or infections), this can also add to procedure time and costs.
Anesthesia Fees
Emergency Fees
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 can cut the cost of your root canal in half, depending on your coverage. On average, dental insurance covers 30 to 50 percent of a root canal.
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
- A crown on the tooth
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.
Root Canal Cost Frequently Asked Questions
How much do most root canals cost?
How much you pay for a root canal will depend most on whether or not you have dental insurance and what kind of coverage you have.
If you have a comprehensive dental plan, much of the cost of your root canal may be covered. Other fees, like exam and x-ray charges, may also be partially covered.
With insurance, you may pay around $200 to $1,000, depending on the extent of your coverage. If a crown is required, your out-of-pocket costs may increase, especially if a more expensive material (like porcelain) is chosen for your crown.
What is the cheapest price for a root canal?
The most affordable choice for your root canal will depend on the options available to you.
If you have insurance, choosing an in-network dentist and going over all out-of-pocket costs beforehand can help ensure your bill is as low as possible.
For those without insurance, some dentists offer discounts and reasonable payment plans. Again, dental schools are another good option. Some offer low-cost treatments performed by faculty or supervised clinical students.
There may also be local resources available, such as a community dental clinic or nonprofit organization offering affordable emergency dental treatments. Call your local health department and search online for what’s in your area.
Is a root canal worth the cost?
If you have an infected or abscessed tooth, it’s imperative that you get treatment. Not only is an infected tooth very painful and uncomfortable, but it’s also dangerous. The infection could spread to other teeth or parts of your body.
Not getting a root canal could lead to the need for a tooth extraction. A tooth extraction is the only other option for an infected tooth, but it is beneficial to save your natural tooth with a root canal if possible. A missing tooth could lead to oral health problems in the future, and tooth replacement options (such as dental implants and bridges) can be costly.
References
Average Cost of a Root Canal in the United States: What You Can Expect. (March 2021). ValuePenguin. Date Fetched: June 20, 2021.
What’s the Difference Between a Dentist and an Endodontist? American Association of Endodontists. Date Fetched: November 13, 2022.
Is the Cost of Dental X-Rays Worth It in the Long Run? Colgate. Date Fetched: November 13, 2022.
What Is a Root Canal?- Pain, Procedure, & Cost. (2021). Crest- Proctor & Gamble. Date Fetched: June 20, 2021.
How Much Does a Root Canal Cost? (January 2021). The Balance. Date Fetched: June 20, 2021.
Affordable Alternatives to Dental Insurance You Never Knew About. (March 2021). Health. Date Fetched: June 20, 2021.
Dental Lifeline. Dental Lifeline Network.
Root Canal. (June 2021). National Library of Medicine. Date Fetched: June 20, 2021.
Oral Hygiene. Cleveland Clinic. Date Fetched: November 13, 2022.
How Much Does a Root Canal Cost? GoodRx. Date Fetched: November 13, 2022.
Cost of Sedation Dentistry. CostHelper. Date Fetched: November 13, 2022.
How Much Does a Dental Crown Cost? Colgate. Date Fetched: November 13, 2022.
Tooth Abscess. Mayo Clinic. Date Fetched: November 13, 2022.
Tooth Loss in Older Adults. Minnesota Department of Health. Date Fetched: November 13, 2022.
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