Root Canal Cost

How much does a Root Canal Cost?

Root canal therapy becomes necessary when the inner nerve of a tooth becomes affected by decay or infection. When this happens, the tooth may become extremely sensitive to both pressure and temperature, and intense pain can be expected. In the initial stages of decay and infection, it is possible that no symptoms would be present. However, in the advanced stages of decay and infection an abscess (pimple-like inflammation on the gums) will form.

When confronting this type of decay or infection, the patient has two options: pull the affected tooth or save the tooth through root canal therapy. When extracting a decayed or infected tooth, significant and costly dental problems will arise for adjacent teeth. In the end, tooth extraction may cause more problems than it will solve. Root canal therapy is a much more desirable alternative, as it will provide full functionality to the tooth and mouth, and will not cause any future problems with adjacent teeth.

Typical Costs

When seeking root canal treatment, it is important to find out about costs before you start therapy. Since factors like location, experience and the kind and/or extent of the treatment often dictate the costs, it’s critical to find a dental professional who is affordable. Also, remember to ask what the upfront costs will be and get your cost estimate in writing.

The typical costs of a root canal will depend on several factors. These include:

• initial procedures such as x-rays and CT scans
• complexity of the treatment
• where you live (some major metropolitan areas are considerably more expensive)
• the number of canals in the tooth
• the location of the tooth (or ease of access)
• the particular dental professional’s training and experience, specialty and popularity (endodontists who are root canal specialists and typically handle the most difficult cases often charge more – 20%-50% more than general dentists)
• whether or not the tooth will need to be topped with a dental crown

Average root canal prices in metro areas

Root canal front tooth treatment can cost anywhere from $200 to $2,200 or more, but typically is about $500-$1,300 per tooth depending on the complexity and whether the treatment is being administered by a dentist or an endodontist.

Root canal molar (posterior tooth) treatment can be $200-$2,400 or more, but typically is about $500-$1,300.

Root canal bicuspid (mid-mouth or premolar tooth) treatment can cost anywhere between $400 and $1,800 or more, but the cost typically averages about $900-$1,200.

The prices outlined above are for the cost if a root canal only (treatment or removal of the inflamed, diseased or injured pulp tissue). This part of the treatment process may require one or more appointments, but only a single fee is usually charged.

The fee for root canal therapy typically includes whatever pre-treatment procedures (dental x-rays, local anesthetic, etc.) are needed as your treatment is being administered, the placement of a temporary (an interim) restoration at the completion of each visit, and whatever post-treatment care you and your tooth may require.

However, the cost estimates outlined above don’t take into account the final, long-term restoration that your tooth might need once its root canal treatment has been completed. Typically, the type of long-term restoration required will vary on a case-by-case basis. It can range from a simple tooth filling to a dental crown supported by a post and core, and for that very reason is often quoted as a separate fee – which can add a significant amount to the overall cost.

Additional Costs

• Some endodontists may charge an initial consultation fee, simply to determine exactly what type of therapy it is that you need.
• Some root canal problems and complications may be difficult to diagnose and paying an endodontist initial consultation fee may be worth it when it comes to dealing with such problems. This dental specialist can utilize his or her experience and expertise to figure them out and implement appropriate therapy.
• Many endodontists and dentists typically charge more for cases that require emergency treatment; and you’ll have to pay an extra amount in order to have a same-day-, next-day- or weekend-procedure. The initial consultation fee or emergency procedure fee can be $50-$100 or more.
• After the root canal treatment is carried out, the tooth may require a filling – which may cost you an additional $100-$300 or more – or it may need to be topped with a dental crown, which can cost you $550-$1,500 or more for all-porcelain crowns per tooth (usually installed on front teeth); $750-$2500 or more metal crowns (usually placed on the out-of-sight back molars); or $750-$3,000 or more for porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns (which can be utilized on both front and back teeth).

Root canal procedure

When dental pain becomes unbearable, the cause is usually on the inside of the tooth. In this case, the dentist can make the diagnosis of an acute inflammation of the dental nerve (Pulpitis) and death (necrosis) of the nerve of the tooth. In this case it will be necessary to undertake a root canal procedure. Root canal therapy, also called endodontic treatment consists of cleaning and disinfecting the root canal. Inside a tooth, there is a duct system divided into several branches containing living tissue (pulp) consisting of nerves and vessels. The outer part protects the tooth. When the solid tooth is damaged or destroyed, the pulp may become inflamed. Typical signs of inflammation of the pulp are; dental pain when chewing, increased sensitivity to temperature, pain or swelling at the root of the tooth, and a grayish color of the crown of the tooth. Bacteria from untreated tooth decay, cracks or accidents are almost always involved.

One possible consequence is the destruction of the dental pulp, causing a “dead tooth”. When bacteria spreads to the inside of the tooth toward the jaw bone, our own body responds with an encapsulation (granuloma or cyst), or by the formation of pus at the tip of the root (abscess). It is essential to remove the infected pulp to prevent the spread of infection and abscess formation. Root canal treatment can save the tooth, because once the pulp is completely destroyed the only solution is to extract the tooth and fill the gap with dental implants, a bridge or a prosthesis. The most common question from patients is ‘do root canals hurt’. Root canal treatments are performed under local anesthesia and are not painful.

Reason for Root Canals

Root canal therapy becomes necessary when the inner nerve of a tooth becomes affected by decay or infection. When this happens, the tooth may become extremely sensitive to both pressure and temperature, and intense pain can be expected. In the initial stages of decay and infection, it is possible that no symptoms would be present. However, in the advanced stages of decay and infection an abscess (pimple-like inflammation on the gums) will form.

The reasons a dentist will recommend root canal therapy include the following:

• Decay has reached the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth)
• Development of infection or abscess inside the tooth or at the root tip
• Trauma or injury to the tooth

The restoration that root canal therapy provides will usually last a lifetime. It will provide full functionality back to your tooth and mouth. There may be a need in the future to retreat the tooth, but this would only be necessary if a new, separate infection arose.

Average Price of a Root Canal

Root Canals an extremely common procedure; unfortunately that does not mean they are inexpensive. The average price largely depends on the number of canals. Root canal costs start at $600 for anterior teeth with a single canal, and can range up to $1,400 for molars with four canals. Additionally, normally, you will also need a crown which generally doubles the price bringing the total to about $1,600.00 to $3,000.00 per tooth.

After treatment, the devitalized tooth may darken after a while. If the tooth exhibits discoloration problems, the normal appearance can be recreated using one of several teeth whitening treatments. After root canal treatment it is best to restore the tooth with a crown to strengthen it. The root canal can cause sensitivities for a few days when chewing that will disappear spontaneously. The tooth will now be deprived of its sensitivity to cold, but does not lose its perception of chewing as the ligament that attaches the tooth to the bone is still alive. It is important for the patient to understand that devitalized teeth will continue to decay and must be cleaned in the same way as the other teeth, several times a day with fluoride toothpaste.

Can’t I just Get Dental Insurance to Pay for the Root Canal?

Unfortunately, if you don’t already have Dental Insurance – you probably will not be able to get an insurance company to pay for your root canal anytime soon, because of normal exclusions and waiting periods that are common in Policies.

But let’s take a look at Insurance.

If you do have insurance you may find that you are still in for a large dental bill.

Most Insurance Companies sell what is known as ”100-80-50″ coverage. What this means 100% is covered on all preventative and diagnostic dental care; 80% for fillings, root canals, and other basic procedures; and 50% for bridges, crowns, and major procedures.

A long story short, once you factor in all the deductibles, maximum coverages, exclusions, etc. You could very well still be paying about 70% of the total bill.

How Much Does A Root Canal Cost With Dental Insurance?

The cost of root canal therapy for individuals with dental insurance is typically lower than that of patients without dental insurance. So those without dental insurance can expect to pay more for this procedure. Depending on the terms of the specific policy, dental insurance plans can cover anywhere from 40% to 80% of the total costs.

Many dental plans, however, will only pay a maximum of $1,000-$1,500 for all covered dental procedures annually. That means if the cost for your treatment is higher than this maximum payout, then you’ll have to pay the extra amount yourself (out-of-pocket). The out-of-pocket expenses for this procedure usually average about $200-$1,100 (for root canal front tooth treatment), $250-$400 (for a root canal on a premolar tooth), and $350-$1,650 (for root canal molar treatment).

How to Get Low Cost Root Canal Treatment without Dental Insurance

Root canal treatment is expensive, and often out of reach for the average person without dental insurance. The fact that you cannot afford to postpone this procedure – since it could result in the spread of the infection and increase the risk of developing complications that would require more costly dental treatments down the line – doesn’t help matters.

1. Start with your local dental clinic

   A low-cost root canal can often be found at your local dental clinic. To take advantage of such affordable treatment, use the internet or your local phonebook to search for community dental clinics. Call or visit these clinics yourself to find out if they offer any form of discount on this procedure.

2. Shop around for dental professionals

   It is clear from the above prices that the cost of a root canal can vary greatly depending on different factors, ranging from location to the specialty of a dental professional. Use the internet, your local phone book and directories (including online directories) to find the most affordable dental clinic that offers this procedure.

3. Check out a nearby endodontic school clinic

   Instead of visiting a full endodontic practice, consider an institution. Many dental schools often take patients on certain days and students are required to undertake supervised treatments as part of their endodontic education with their faculty members. To find a nearby endodontic school, check the Commission on Dental Accreditation’s list of dental schools across the country. The costs are typically much lower, since only partial payment is required to cover the cost of the materials and equipment used.

4. Ask for a payment plan

   Many endodontic clinics offer payment plans for individuals without dental insurance. These clinics often work with financing companies to provide flexible payment options that cost much less than conventional credit financing.

5. Consider using credit options

   Personal loans, credit cards and other regular credit finance options can also help pay for your root canal treatment. These credit options typically cost more in interest than other forms of payment, and you should negotiate with your lender to spread repayments over as long a period as you can in order to mitigate any negative impact on your personal finances.

6. Look for dental assistance programs

   The federal government, states, and nonprofit organizations have dental assistance programs designed to help low-income families and individuals get the dental treatment they need. Check online and ask around to find out whether there are such programs in your locality.

7. Consider purchasing private dental insurance

   Some insurance companies offer yearly dental insurance plans or they may charge a monthly fee to cover a percentage of the cost of your dental procedures. Consider taking advantage of such plans to reduce the cost of your root canal treatment.

FAQ

What causes you to need a root canal?

A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form

Is a root canal painful?

A root canal is a major procedure, so pain after a root canal is normal. A root canal involves deep cleaning inside the canals (the inner chamber of the root) of your tooth, which can in turn irritate surrounding nerves and gums. … It’s normal to experience mild to moderate pain for a few days after a root canal.

How do you know if you need a root canal?

Signs you may need root canal therapy include: Severe toothache pain upon chewing or application of pressure. Prolonged sensitivity (pain) to hot or cold temperatures (after the heat or cold has been removed) Discoloration (darkening) of the tooth

Do root canals cause health problems?