Average Cost of a Root Canal & How to Save
Root canal prices range from $213 to $640 if you have dental insurance, depending on your plan's level of coverage. The average cost of a root canal in the U.S. is $1,067 if you pay full price.
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Average root canal cost
A root canal typically costs $1,067. Depending on the location of the tooth, costs range between $912 for a front tooth and $1,246 for a molar in the rear of your mouth. Molars are the most expensive because they require more work.
Tooth | Cost |
|---|---|
| Anterior | $912 |
| Premolar | $1,044 |
| Molar | $1,246 |
These rates show the full cost of dental care without insurance coverage. All prices vary by region and specific dental office, so your rates may vary.
Other dental costs when you have a root canal
After the root canal, your dentist will usually put in a crown to protect the treated tooth. This can double your bill. You may have other costs such as anesthesia, X-rays or fillings.
The average cost of a root canal and crown is $2,209.
Average dental procedure costs
Services | Price |
|---|---|
| Local anesthesia | $65 |
| X-ray | $143 |
| Filling | $272 |
| Root canal | $1,067 |
| Crown | $1,142 |
Cost of a root canal with insurance
If you have insurance coverage, the average cost of a root canal is between $213 and $640.
Most insurance plans typically pay between 40% and 80% of the cost of a root canal. How much you pay will be based on the benefits of your dental insurance plan.
Cost of a root canal with insurance
Tooth | Price |
|---|---|
| Anterior | $182 to $547 |
| Premolar | $209 to $626 |
| Molar | $249 to $748 |
The most comprehensive dental plans can reduce the cost of a root canal by 80%, leaving you to only pay 20%. However, these plans are more expensive, with a typical price of at least $50 per month.
Basic dental plans, on the other hand, have a lower monthly payment and pay for a smaller portion of the procedure cost.
The cheapest dental insurance plans may only cover preventive care like regular cleanings and exams. If your insurance plan doesn't cover root canals, you could have to pay the full cost of a root canal.
Watch out for your insurance plan's coverage limit
Individual dental insurance plans sometimes have an annual benefit limit of $1,000 to $2,000. This is the cap of how much the insurance company will pay for your dental care.
If you need a root canal, a crown and other major services during a year, you could max out your insurance benefits. After this cap, you'll pay the full cost of most dental services for the rest of the year.
Paying for a root canal with insurance
Before scheduling your root canal, take a close look at the dental coverage you have, if applicable. Dental insurance plans vary widely by provider, in both monthly costs and level of coverage, but most plans will cover some of the cost.
Unfortunately, there isn’t often too much notice ahead of time before a root canal. You may ask your dentist or endodontist about a toothache and then have to schedule your procedure for the following week, so instead of shopping for plans, you’ll likely have to learn about what your existing plan offers or does not offer.
If you are struggling to afford a root canal, dental schools and nonprofit dental clinics provide low-cost dental care.
If you do not have insurance, the full cost of the procedure, and any other costs, will be your responsibility. However, some dental offices are open to discussing payment plans or deals in order to avoid letting the infection get worse. If it becomes really bad, you then may be discussing the cost of a tooth extraction and dental implant, which is more expensive than the cost of a root canal.
Using a health savings account (HSA) to pay for dental care can help make your money go further. You don't have to pay taxes on the money you contribute to an HSA, but the funds can only be used for medical or dental expenses.
For example, if you contributed $2,000 to an HSA and had a 20% income tax rate, you'd save $400 in taxes. That would give you more money to pay for a root canal or other procedures.
If you already have an HSA, you can use those tax-free funds to pay for your root canal. If you don't have an HSA and are eligible to get one, contributing a portion of each paycheck can help you prepare for future dental costs.
Does Medicaid cover root canals?
Medicaid covers root canals and dental care for children and young adults. Adult dental benefits through Medicaid are different depending on the state you live in.
Cost of root canals across the U.S.
Root canals cost more in certain areas of the U.S. Root canals tend to be cheaper in the West and South. Average prices are higher in the Midwest and Northeast.
Average cost of root canal by region
Region | Price |
|---|---|
| West | $890 to $1,221 |
| South | $897 to $1,228 |
| Midwest | $912 to $1,259 |
| Northeast | $913 to $1,231 |
Root canal costs at each phase of the procedure
Your costs may start before the procedure with a prescription for an antibiotic. You may also need to consider the cost for each appointment and any time you need to take off work.
- Before the root canal: If you cannot get your procedure right away, you may be given a prescription of antibiotics to take until the day of your root canal. This typically costs about $10 to $20.
- Day of the root canal: Some providers perform root canals in one sitting, while others ask you to return multiple times to ensure the infection was totally removed. You could pay an extra fee for each appointment. If you’re feeling a lot of pain immediately after the root canal therapy, you may need to take a day off of work, so be sure to factor in lost wages or personal days. However, most people find the pain is tolerable.
- After the root canal: While you heal, you may be given a prescription for a small quantity of painkillers. To avoid taking prescription opioids longer than necessary, you’ll likely want to switch to a cheaper, over-the-counter option like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, when possible.
- Future procedures: There’s a chance that more dental work will be required if the infection wasn’t fully cleaned out, which could also lead to more procedures with more charges, or even the removal of the tooth if necessary. That would be followed with an implant tooth, also costly, and could happen down the road after your procedure. You might want to get a quote for other services, just in case, so you won’t be surprised.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a root canal cost?
A root canal costs about $1,067 if you don't have insurance coverage. The cost of a root canal with insurance is typically between $213 and $640, depending on your insurance plan's level of coverage.
Does dental insurance cover root canals?
Most dental insurance plans cover root canals, reducing the cost of a root canal by 40% to 80%. However, very cheap plans may only cover preventive care like cleanings. This means you would have to pay the full price of a root canal yourself.
How can you save on the cost of a root canal?
Having dental insurance is the best way to reduce the cost of a root canal, and it often cuts your costs in half. If you don't have insurance, you can often enroll in a payment program through your dentist. You can also get a low-cost root canal by getting the procedure at a dental school or through a nonprofit clinic.
Methodology
The average costs of root canals and dental services are based on the American Dental Association survey of dental fees, which compiles rates from more than 1,000 dentists across the country. Costs with insurance are based on common copayment amounts for dental insurance plans.
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