CostHelper.com > Health & Personal Care  > Root Canal

Root Canal Cost

How Much Does a Root Canal Cost?
 
low cost Low: $350-$600
 
average cost Medium: $500-$860
 



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Typical costs:
  • Estimates range from $350-600 for a front tooth, which usually has one canal, to $500-$860 for a back molar, which can have three or more, according to WebMD. Prices are based on difficulty, local cost of living and the dentist's level of training and experience. An endodontist, specializing in tooth root problems, may charge up to 50 percent more.
What should be included:
  • When the root inside a tooth is infected, the inflamed or damaged tissue is removed and the hollow area filled to keep bacteria out. The University of Iowa College of Dentistry gives a quick overview.
  • An X-Ray reveals the shape of the canals and any bone infection. Once the area is numb, a rubber sheet isolates the infected tooth, which is drilled open, cleaned using pin-sized files and suction, filled, sealed and covered. This might require more than one appointment, to let the infection clear before the canal is sealed.
  • Tip: Ask about magnification. Wikipedia.com reports that root canals might be more successful with a microscope or similar equipment.
  • The only other option is to extract the tooth and replace it with a bridge, implant or partial denture.
Additional costs:
  • A crown or other protective covering adds to the final bill.
Discounts:
  • Dental colleges offer reduced rates for services by supervised students or faculty; DentalSite.com lists school locations.
  • The American Dental Association lists state dental societies, which may provide partial payment of dental fees for qualified low-income patients.
Shopping for a root canal:
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
 
Article updated November 2006
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Recent Posts
Amount: $250.00 not covered by insurance The bill was $1250 total, $250 out of pocket
Posted by: ES in Menlo Park, CA.Purchased: July, 2007
Which Tooth: back molar (#18)Practitioner:
A molar which had gotten a gold crown a year ago was aching and was sensitive to hot and cold, and it turned out the nerve was dying. My dentist referred me to an endontist, Michelle Olsen at Peninsula Endontics. The whole root canal took a little over an hour. The bill came to $1,250, but they accept Delta Dental PPO, which covered 80%, so I paid $250 out-of-pocket. The total seemed pretty high, but I was seeing an endontist, and Menlo Park is a pretty expensive neighborhood. I was pretty happy to pay only $250 out of my own pocket.
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Amount: $1,824.00 not covered by insurance Root Canal
Posted by: David in Plano, TX.Purchased: November, 2007
Which Tooth: #31Practitioner: Ahmed
This seems too expensive, but I was in need of relief on the day after Thanksgiving. My insurance does not cover.
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Amount: $1,370.00 not covered by insurance Expensive Root Canal
Posted by: Ian in HEWLETT, NY.Purchased: December, 2007
Which Tooth: #3Practitioner:
My reg dentist sent me for a Root Canal stating the charge would be $50-100 over average root canal charges. My research indicates average charge for this would not exceed $900, therefore I was looking to pay $1000. I was charged $1370. for the root canal. Am I being ripped off?
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Amount: $250.00 not covered by insurance Mine was $1,250 before insurance
Posted by: ES in Menlo Park, CA.Purchased: July, 2007
Which Tooth: #18 back molarPractitioner:
It was the bottom left tooth, which is a really big tooth. And this was at an endontist, which my dentist referred me to. Does your dentist have that training? Was a crown also included? My tooth already had a crown, and that cost an additional $800 ($400 after insurance). $1,370 would seem reasonable for an endontist, or very reasonable if the crown was included.
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Amount: $255.00 not covered by insurance $1075 before insurance
Posted by: Amy K in Germantown, MD.Purchased: December, 2007
Which Tooth: #15 back molarPractitioner: Dr. Amir Sarkarzadeh
For my root canal, I was referred to an experienced endodontist in the area due to the location of the tooth and was shocked when I heard how much it would cost, even with insurance. However, during my brief stay in the waiting room, I heard the receptionist quoting prices of $300-$700, which made me feel a little better about my seemingly exorbitant fee. I spent $255 out of pocket, including deductible, for great novocaine and a fast, painless that left me wondering why root canals were given such a bad rap! (I later understood, when I paid $85 for the temporary filling and close to $600 for the subsequent crown.)
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Amount: $1,250.00 not covered by insurance root canal
Posted by: Bill R in Garden City, NY.Purchased: December, 2007
Which Tooth: (top molar ) #3Practitioner: Dr. R. Gupta
A cracked filling caused decay of the nerves in a molar. Sensitivity to cold/hot was an indication of need for root canal. Endodontist found complications during surgery: four canals and calcification, but price still was $1250. I have no insurance. Filling and crown are extra. I had quotes as high as $2000. Why does a one hour procedure cost so high?
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Amount: $2,123.00 not covered by insurance EXPENSIVE ROOT CANAL
Posted by: ALEJANDRA PLANCARTE in GARLAND, TX.Purchased: September, 2007
Which Tooth: BACKPractitioner: PEARL DENTAL
I DIDN'T HAVE INSURANCE AND I COULD NOT STAND THE PAIN SO I WENT TO A DENTIST AND THE TOTAL COST WAS $2123. ISN'T THAT WAY TOO MUCH?
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Amount: $2,123.00 not covered by insurance Root, Canal, post & crown
Posted by: AlleyOop in Wantagh, NY.Purchased: September, 2007
Which Tooth: premolarPractitioner:
There was also an additional charge of $200 for a pulpotomy.
We live in Nassau County, New York.

Were we overcharged?

Does anyone have any exp[erience with EDP; that\'s Eastern Dental Plan?
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Amount: $2,736.00 not covered by insurance Correction: Alley-Oop in Wantagh
Posted by: AlleyOop in Wantagh, NY.Purchased: 2007
Which Tooth: pre-molarPractitioner:
The price is $2,736 NOT $2,123.
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Amount: $1,070.00 not covered by insurance Expensive?
Posted by: Debra in Los Angeles, CA.Purchased: February, 2008
Which Tooth: next to canine toothPractitioner: Dr. David's Family Dentistry
Will be my first root canal next week. My cost (the part not covered by insurance) is $1,070.00. This is the cost after I get a 5% discount for paying in full with cash or check. This price includes a crown on the tooth. A lot of money for 1 small tooth, but I guess my health is worth it.
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Amount: $1,300.00 not covered by insurance root canals
Posted by: dusty in carterville, GA.Purchased: August, 2007
Which Tooth: side frontPractitioner: Dr. lee
Good root canal, I really wish I could find a half
price root canal or buy 1 get one free. They are
very exspensive. Do the items they use in the canal
cost so much? They should not be based on the cost
of living but on the good dentist moral codes.Something must be done to freeze outragous prices. The dentist was really good and I never felt a thing, but caps annoy me, it feels like
plastic rubber. Wish you coulld find canals for $500.
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Amount: $1,100.00 not covered by insurance Root canal and apicoectomy
Posted by: Rotten Teeth Man in Plantation, FL.Purchased: February, 2008
Which Tooth: You name itPractitioner:
I haven’t been to a dentist in years and have been given a Proposed Treatment Plan that totals $19,263. This includes two apicoectomies at 24 and 25 for $1,500 each and 5 other root canals from $950 to $1,100, the later price for premolars at 5 and 28. Are these prices customary/reasonable in the Broward County, So. Fla area?
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Amount: $1,100.00 not covered by insurance $1,450 just for root canal n crown separate
Posted by: Joshie in Seattle, WA.Purchased: February, 2008
Which Tooth: back toothPractitioner: endontist
I got my root canal done by root canal specialist, recomended by my dentist, and it came out to be $1,450. I maxed out with my insurace, so I had to pay 450 out of pocket. I don\'t mind paying that much, but that didn\'t include getting a crown. I\'ll be seeing my dintist in few days to get a crown, and that\'ll be an extra 700 out of pocket since my insurance is maxed out aready... Doesn\'t that seem a lot just to get a tooth fix? I guess it can\'t be helped.
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Amount: $1,523.00 not covered by insurance Root canal
Posted by: Robert Sinclair in Rockford, IL.Purchased: 2008
Which Tooth: #30Practitioner: Camelot Endodonics
2-1/2 hours in the chair total for two visits adds up to $609.20 per hour for a root canal not including the crown which could be another
$600.00-$1000.00 conservatively! Without insurance, there goes my vacation this year!

What is up with that!

Its was one tooth!

No wonder half of America is missing teeth!

Is this caused by the out of sight liability insurance doctors must pass onto us.
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Amount: $1,050.00 not covered by insurance root canal - back molar (19?)
Posted by: nick in san jose in palo alto, CA.Purchased: April, 2008
Which Tooth: back molarPractitioner: a dentist in palo alto
ran out of insurance, 1k for just the four canals, the crown will be another 1k. first time I had to pay for my own dental work, and I am definitely going to shop around from now on. this root canal was rather painful for my bank account
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Amount: $1,570.00 not covered by insurance Root Canal
Posted by: jeni_rene06 in Topeka, KS.Purchased: April, 2008
Which Tooth: #7 #12Practitioner: Dr. Greg Cohen
My first root canal i spent $990 to get a root canal and a veneer. There was extra charges included in that price for having to come in on a saturday to repair a fractured tooth. The second root canal is still in progress. The tooth was so sensitive the day of the rootcanal, that they had to stop in the middle of it, and schedule the rest of it after taking anti-biotics. The first visit cost me $580. I still have to pay for the next visit, and a crown. So far i've paid $1570 to fix two teeth, with some more to go. That would have been nice vacation money.
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Amount: $400.00 not covered by insurance Root Canal Qoute
Posted by: Ken in Ajax, Other.Purchased: April, 2008
Which Tooth: Top Rear Right MolarPractitioner:
I just came back from the dentist! I need a root canal and the quoted me $2051.42. Is this a high price?

This included the crown, do I need it?

My brother said he got his root canal for $600.00.

I'm covered for 80% but still, its the principle.

Any help?
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Amount: $1,900.00 not covered by insurance deep cleaning possible root canal plus the cost of a crown
Posted by: oulay in Stockton, CA.Purchased: April, 2008
Which Tooth: 1st molar lower left mandiblePractitioner: Caring Dental, Stockton, Ca
I went in for a basic check up so I can get a free teeth whitening if I went through with a recommended treatment. To find out I may need a deep cleaning and a possible root canal and if I needed the root canal there was also a crown new crown involved. They quoted me for deep cleaning at $200.00, possible root canal another $700.00 and a new crown for that root canal another $1000.00. I'm thinking it's probably a rip off. I have Premier Access insurance and my portion would be 20%, but the lady said that's my price out of pocket.
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Amount: $300.00 not covered by insurance root can
Posted by: cyn in decatur, GA.Purchased: April, 2008
Which Tooth: nd molar , lower mandiblePractitioner: family dental , decatur, ga
This was my 2nd root canal in 1year. I hope it will be my last. I am still paying for the root canal performed by my dentist in 2006. The cost of this latter root canal average $1200.00 before insurance. My insurance will cover 80%. I still have to go back for a crown, which my insurance will probably be maxed. Then I will have to pay out of pocket. Why is dentistry so expensive.
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Amount: $2,700.00 not covered by insurance Too expensive
Posted by: Painfully Shocked in Santa Barbara, CA.Purchased: April, 2008
Which Tooth: Back right molarPractitioner: Santa Barbara endodontist/dentist
For the back molar, I was quoted $1300 for the root canal and $1400 for the crown. I may have to have the tooth extracted because I can't come up with $2700 right away (they don't take insurance).
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Amount: $1,500.00 not covered by insurance root canal and crown
Posted by: Scott in Waterloo, IA.Purchased: April, 2008
Which Tooth: upper molarPractitioner: Dentist
Old filling broke and decay started.
Two canals joined into one. He cleaned it all out and packed it solid again. Will do prep for a crown in a couple weeks and it will be done for about $1,500.
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Amount: $1,400.00 not covered by insurance Root Canal
Posted by: Kristi Schmidt in Greenbelt, MD.Purchased: May, 2008
Which Tooth: 4th or 5th molar?Practitioner: Dr. Allan Goodfriend
I am not sure which tooth it is, but its the first molar tooth on the top, but I was charged $1400 for the root canal alone, is this too much money?
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Amount: $1,100.00 not covered by insurance Root Canal
Posted by: Randi in Arcadia/Los Angeles, CA.Purchased: May, 2008
Which Tooth: #14Practitioner: Dr. Wingard
Dr. Wingard specializes in root canals and I figured $1100 is not that bad for a place that I know is not going to make my teeth worse. Having terrible experiences in the past, I would rather spend the extra money to get it done right the first time.
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Amount: $1,400.00 not covered by insurance 2 crowns molars and 1 root canal
Posted by: connie in rochester, NY.Purchased: June, 2008
Which Tooth: 2 back molarsPractitioner: aspen dental
used care credit (no interest) and dental discount plan q dental.
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Amount: $1,120.00 not covered by insurance Root Canal & follow up
Posted by: Jacqueline in Richwood, NJ.Purchased: June, 2008
Which Tooth: #14Practitioner:
just dropped insurance last month, still need to get a crown to finish later this month. Total 2500.00 for 1 tooth w/ crown.
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Amount: $1,015.00 not covered by insurance 1 root canal
Posted by: Andrew in Brentwood, TN.Purchased: March, 2008
Which Tooth: 11Practitioner:
I went to the dentist in feb and the dentist sent me to an endodontist. I was worried and called the insurance because the endo charged $75 just to look at it. The insurance said they would reimburse me. They schedule me in for the following week. I called the insurance to make sure they would cover it and they said yes. So I went and had the work done. Next I'm getting calls for collecting all the charges. So I call the insurance to ask why they haven't paid. They said the charges are way to high, we only covered a certain amount ($400-$600) for a root canal. Its now June and they still have not paid a dime. I wrote a appeal letter which was denied. Insurance is just a waste of money.
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Amount: $1,103.00 not covered by insurance ROOT canal
Posted by: crazy daisy in Bakersfield, CA.Purchased: April, 2008
Which Tooth: 30Practitioner: Khalil
Insurance paid 1,103 not including the $200 exam. Doctor was friendly and seemed caring. My insurance covered it all.
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Amount: $243.00 not covered by insurance Root canal
Posted by: a user in Lakeland, FL.Purchased: June, 2008
Which Tooth: #25Practitioner: Trinity Endodontics
Doctor and staff very friendly. Good info on whole procedure and breakout of cost. Did not feel any pain at all. Just a little pinch for first anesthetic shot.
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