Average Cost of a Root Canal & How to Save
If you have insurance, root canal prices can range from $213 to $640. Without insurance, the average cost is $1,067.
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Root canal cost without insurance
If you don't have dental insurance, a root canal costs an average of $1,067.
Prices range between $912 for a front tooth and $1,246 for a molar in the back of your mouth. Molars are the most expensive because they require more work.
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Having dental insurance can drastically reduce the cost of a root canal.
Some dental offices are open to setting up payment plans or other deals so you can get care quickly, rather than waiting and letting the issue get worse. If you are struggling to afford a root canal, dental schools and nonprofit dental clinics often provide low-cost dental care.
Price of a root canal without insurance
Tooth | Cost |
|---|---|
| Anterior | $912 |
| Premolar | $1,044 |
| Molar | $1,246 |
Other dental costs when you have a root canal
The average price of root canal and crown without insurance is $2,209.
After the root canal, your dentist will usually put in a crown to protect the tooth. This can double your bill. You may have other costs such as anesthesia, X-rays or fillings.
Average dental procedure costs
Services | Price |
|---|---|
| Local anesthesia | $65 |
| X-ray | $143 |
| Filling | $272 |
| Root canal | $1,067 |
| Crown | $1,142 |
Can I get a dental plan if I already need a root canal?
If you don't have dental insurance, you'll probably have to pay the full cost for your root canal yourself. You likely won't be able to get a plan to cover an existing issue with your tooth. That's because the issue would be considered a "preexisting condition."
Many dental plans don't cover preexisting conditions, which means a new dental plan won't cover any issues that you already had. It's still probably a good idea to shop for dental insurance, though, so you don't have to pay for expensive dental care yourself again in the future.
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Cost of a root canal with insurance
If you have dental insurance, the average cost of a root canal is between $213 and $640.
Most insurance plans pay between 40% and 80% of the cost of a root canal. How much you pay is 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 dental plans with the best coverage can lower 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 share of your bills.
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.
Be aware of 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.
Before scheduling your root canal with insurance, take a close look at your dental coverage. Dental insurance plans vary widely by provider, in both monthly costs and level of coverage, but most plans will cover some of the cost.
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 put in an HSA, but the funds can only be used for medical or dental expenses.
For example, if you put $2,000 into 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. You can only get an HSA if you have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP).
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 can't get your root canal right away, you may be given a prescription of antibiotics to take until you can get in for dental work. This typically costs about $10 to $20.
- Day of the root canal: Some dentists 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.
- After the root canal: While you heal, you may be given a prescription for painkillers. To avoid taking prescription pain medication longer than necessary, your dentist may want you 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 might be followed with an implant tooth, which can be costly. You might want to ask about the prices for other services so you won’t be surprised by the costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a root canal without insurance?
A root canal costs about $1,067 if you don't have insurance coverage. Root canals in the front teeth are cheaper than in back teeth. You'll probably have extra fees for the numbing medication, crown and antibiotics.
How much is a root canal with insurance?
If you have dental insurance, a root canal usually costs between $213 and $640, depending on your plan's level of coverage. Plans that cover more of the cost usually cost more each month. If you have a cheaper plan, you'll probably pay more for a root canal.
Does dental insurance cover root canals?
Most dental insurance plans cover root canals, lowering the cost 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 at least in half. If you don't have insurance, you may be able to enroll in a payment program through your dentist. You could also get a lower-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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