Root canal therapy involves the soft inner core of a tooth, called the pulp. Running like a thread from near the top of the tooth down through its root, the pulp provides the tooth with nutrients and nerves. If the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. Without treatment, the surrounding tissue becomes infected and abscesses can form. In a root canal procedure the tooth's nerve and pulp is removed and the resulting hollow area is carefully cleaned and sealed. The American Dental Association provides an overview
Typical costs:
A front tooth typically has one canal while a rear molar may have three or more, so the cost of root canal treatment depends on the number of canals in the tooth, the location of the tooth (ease of access) and the training and experience of the dental professional. Root canals can be done by general dentists or by root canal specialists called endodontists, who typically work on the most difficult cases and charge 30%-50% more than general dentists.
Dental insurance might cover 40%-80% of the costs, depending on the terms of the policy. However, many dental plans only pay a maximum of $1,000-$1,500 per year for all covered dental procedures.
On a front tooth, root canal treatment can cost $300-$1,500 or more but typically is about $900-$1,100 depending on complexity and whether the work is done by a dentist or an endodontist. For example, CostHelper readers without insurance coverage report paying $960-$1,348 for a front tooth root canal, at an average cost of $1,156. CostHelper readers with insurance report out-of-pocket costs of $243-$1,200, for an average payment of $608.
A root canal on a bicuspid or premolar tooth (mid-mouth) can cost $400-$1,800 or more, but typically is about $900-$1,100. CostHelper readers without insurance report paying $600-$1,550, or an average cost of $957. CostHelper readers with insurance report out-of-pocket expenses of $290-$375, or an average cost of $333.
Root canal therapy on a back molar can be $500-$2,000 or more, but typically costs about $1,000-$1,300. CostHelper readers without insurance report paying $500-$1,583 at an average cost of $1,184. CostHelper readers with insurance report out-of-pocket expenses of $300-$1,654, with an average payment of $682.
What should be included:
An X-ray is taken to reveal the shape of the canals and any bone infection. Once the area is numb, a rubber sheet isolates the tooth, which is drilled open, cleaned using pin-sized files and suction, filled, sealed and covered. The Mayo Clinic offers a slide show illustrating this process.
A root canal is often completed in one appointment, although it can require three or more visits depending on the extent and complexity of the problem, including if it's necessary to let an infection clear up before the canal is sealed. Once the root canal is completed, additional dental appointments will be needed to finish restoring the tooth with a filling or a crown, but this restoration work is not considered part of the root canal process.
There are many commonly held beliefs about root canals that are incorrect, like the perception that the procedure itself is painful. The American Association of Edodontists explains common root canal myths.
Additional costs:
If the initial consultation determines that the root canal must be done on an emergency basis, there may be a same-day-, next-day- or weekend-procedure fee of $50-$100 or more.
After the root canal is done, the tooth is typically topped with a dental crown, which can cost $500-$1,500 or more per tooth for all-porcelain crowns (typically used on front teeth); $800-$2,500 or more for metal (typically used on out-of-sight back molars); or $800-$3,000 or more for porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns (which can be used on front or back teeth). Or in a few cases, only a filling is needed, at an additional cost of $90-$300 or more.
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.
What I don't understand is the price differences >.< BTW I had no pain. 2hr procedure, same day apt. , friendly staff. Insurance covered 50% yup 1240 total! So from what I've read way better for you than a implant which is why I opted to do this. I think this is a great way to vent, the cost was unexpected and super high(like a house payment high). ~ I hope I never need to do this again.
Posted by: golden retriever lover in Yucca Valley, CA.
Posted: January 27th, 2011 05:01PM
Which Tooth: #19, bottom left, 3rd molar
Practitioner: Dr Cummings
Had a large filling in this tooth that had been giving me twinges for some time. Tooth broke cleanly away from filling on inside of mouth while eating something soft. Dentist recommended a root canal in addition to crown. Spent 1 1/2 hours at dentist today getting root canal. Painless (so far). Need to go back in 2 weeks for crown. Pd $828 for root canal ($34 over estimate given because of additional x-rays taken). $908 for crown. $306 for prep and post for crown. I about fell over when I saw the prices, as they were about twice what I was expecting. After reading these posts, I guess they are in line with other dentists' charges.
Had a root canal yesterday because tooth had broken off- previously had a filling. I was starting to experience some pain so went in to see Dentist. Cost of the root canal was 1200 but my part was only 350.00 So paid this amount and when I go back to get the crown I will pay 400.00 (which is 50% of the total cost of the crown) ins. will pick up the rest. So total 750.00 out of pocket for the root canal and crown. Awesome Dentist!
I grind my teeth, which caused me to develop TMJ. Purchased a night guard which did wonders. Months later, I awoke with a horrible toothache, which was found to be a cracked molar. (I clinched so hard, it cracked in 2 places) The tooth was drilled & a temp crown placed. The pain got worse, so a root canal was performed. Horrible sound, horrible taste, glad its over with. I dont have insurance, so when I got the bill I almost fainted! $1100 for crown & $884 for root canal! Shouldve had it pulled!
I thought I was getting a great deal when they quoted me a price of $950...stupid me did not realize they were not including the post and crown, which I just found out will cost an additional $1500. I have two other teeth that I should also get done...it will not be happening.
Had both root canals and crowns on my two front teeth, 4 molars and two fillings for under 2400 us dollars. Sure I heard the horror stories before about Mexico and how behind they might be compare to us dentist but I was totally won and I am not the first one to go to this dentist. I am a career profesional averaging close to a six figure salary here in the us with health insurance and all this procedure was estimated by my dentist here in Santa Monica to be well over 18,000. Sorry not happening. Couldn't be happier
I paid credit, using the doctor's inhouse credit payment plan of no intrest in 6 months to get the whole procedure. From the looks of the other posts I don't think I got a good discount. More like the average price. Root canal: $788 Steel Post: $364 Crown (porcelin fused to metal): $668 x-ray: $25 Total dental visit: $1845
I recently went for a checkup to be evaluated with a treatment plan and cleaning for $99. Needless to say the total was over $8,000. Three crowns, three fillings and some cracked teeth filled. I want to focus on the painful canine right now which I received antibiotics from this dentists for. I decided to try a new approach as we are on a fixed income with no dental insurance. I am offering $400 cash for the root canal alone which he wants $826 for. Hope this works. Lets see if there is kindness out there.
I was already going to western dental for a 3000.00 implant. I had moved to another city close by and needed a root canal. I figured 600-1000 dollars. They told me it would cost 2100.00. I am an unemployed single mom of 4 kids. My son also has braces from them. They just seem to charge a whole lot of money. Obviously, people go there because they don't have insurance or limited financial means. It seems like western dental would be priced a bit more reasonable. Anyone else have this problem?
I've finally had it with the pain in my tooth and decided to go to the dentist. I'm a stay at home mom w/ no insurance or income, so I was scared of what they would charge me. I need a root canal on my left side molar, a crown rebuild and cap. They priced it a little over $2000. I wanted to cry. When I questioned others about this, they said the price was outrageous and have had others do it for less, but not in this area. What is reasonable?
I have been checking prices in MN since unemployed and uninsured and I am being quoted from 1213.00 to 1265.00 for the root canal (although U of M denistry school states 400 - 800) and the crown is being priced from 700(U of M Denistry school) to 1200.00 at dentist.
Root canal and crown with insurance $900.00 It lasted 6 months. Dentist did all that on a rotted tooth. NEVER again. I will just pull them. It is an EVIL world out there with EVIL people.
I had a prior root canal on this tooth many years ago and had to have it redone. The reason for the higher price. My dentist in Ridgecrest sent me to Palmdale. I totally trust him and his recommendation was well worth the money. My mother has dentures and hates them. I will never have them. If I end up losing a tooth I will go to implants.
THIS IS A QUOTE I REC'D IN FEB. W/O INS. WITH INS. AND THE PRICE OF A SECOND ROOT CANAL (RETREAT) ON #13 + THE OFFICE VISIT THE TOTAL PKG. CAME TO $2,450. THE TOTAL PRICE W/O INS. WOULD HAVE BEEN $3,475! THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE CROWNS OR POSTS! THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL TAKE. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TWO OTHER TEETH FINALLY PULLED!
I went in for a painful area above a previously root-canal'd & capped tooth. After x-ray, dentist explained 50% success record of retreated r/c teeth, so I deferred to his judgment and opted for implant/cap. I was never shown the x-ray. He injected anesthetic and returned 15 min. later. I remarked that I was putting quite a bit of money into one tooth.
Surprisingly, he never extracted the tooth, but gave me antibiotic. I learned (on the way out) that the implant/cap would cost me $2700. To have me make the decision to have the tooth extracted and the implant/cap done, costing me $2700 out-of-pocket without me having any idea of the expense of that decision was outrageous. Given a 50% chance of success and a relatively low cost for a r/c retreatment, I NEVER would have selected the extraction approach. I had asked for a copy of the x-ray on my way out, but have never received it.Neither was my cost submitted so it could be applied to my deductible.
total cost was 2400. insurance cover 1000.of it crown was 1000. at 1 dentist and root canal was 1400. at the other.This was the first time needing this.The tooth had been crack and was sensitve to everything.
Which Tooth: molar top left side 2nd from the back
Practitioner: Ft Lauderdale FL
I had horrible pain I was charged $1200.00 for the first part of the procedure. He only said he killed 95% of the root to get me out of pain but that I have to come back for the rest of the procedure after the baby is born. He said another 45 mins in the chair then I need the crown and I have no idea what that is going to run me. I was in so much pain I didn\\\\\\\'t even ask what the price was now I am in shock that I am only a 1/3 of the way through. Thanks for the comments though as least I am more informed now.