Two people tallying up the cost on a calculator Two people tallying up the cost on a calculator Two people tallying up the cost on a calculator

How much does a root canal treatment cost?

The cost of your root canal will depend on which tooth is affected and the complexity of the problem, with molar teeth typically having more canals and a greater degree of difficulty. It will also depend on whether or not you have insurance or need to pay out-of-pocket and whether your dentist or endodontist is in-network or out-of-network. Delta Dental plans cover a variety of root canal (endodontic) treatments. The most common procedures and typical amounts charged by dentists are:

  1. Root Canal – Front Tooth (approximately $620 - $1,100 Out-of-Network)1
  2. Root Canal – Premolar (approximately $720- $1,300 Out-of-Network)1
  3. Root Canal – Molar (approximately $890 - $1,500 Out-of-Network)1

 

Will dental insurance cover my root canal procedure?

Whether or not your insurance will cover your root canal procedure will depend on your particular plan, but it is common for dental insurance plans to cover 50% - 80% of the cost of a root canal after the deductible has been met.1

It’s important to know that finding a dentist or endodontic specialist in-network can provide significant savings because these providers have agreed to provide discounts for Delta Dental subscribers, as negotiated by Delta Dental. Your portion will be a percentage of that discounted fee. For an out-of-network provider, by contrast, you will pay a percentage of the dentist’s full, non-discounted fee. We recommend utilizing our Dental Care Cost Estimator to find out what a root canal procedure may cost you and finding an in-network dentist or endodontist here.

Note that the dentist fee includes all appointments and X-rays necessary to complete the root canal treatment (whether it takes one or five appointments, the fee is the same). Also note that these fees do not include the final restoration of the tooth. At a minimum the tooth will need a new filling, and frequently a crown will be the preferred treatment.

 

A lot of people have anxiety over root canals. Whether it’s the procedure itself or the costs associated with it, know that with an experienced endodontist or dentist and a good insurance plan, costs can remain relatively low and follow-up appointments minimized. Check in with your insurance plan to see what kind of coverage you can expect, and as always, reach out to Delta Dental with any questions you may have.

 

Additional resources

Looking for more information? Learn more about root canals.

 

Sources:

1 Based on 2018 internal data  

 

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