Root Canal Cost and Procedure Guide

A lingering toothache or sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks can make everyday activities uncomfortable and leave you wondering whether you might need a root canal. Although root canals have a reputation for being painful, modern root canal treatment is designed to relieve pain, not cause it, and is one of the most effective procedures available to save a natural tooth that has been damaged by decay or infection.

Timely treatment can prevent the spread of infection to the surrounding tissues and bone, decreasing the chance of developing more serious oral health complications or tooth loss. Here’s what you might want to know about root canals, including what they cost, how the procedure works and what you may expect during recovery.

What Is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure that removes infected or inflamed pulp tissue from the inside of a tooth. During the procedure, a dentist or endodontist extracts the damaged pulp tissue, cleans and disinfects the root canal, and seals the tooth to help prevent future infection. A dental crown is sometimes placed on the tooth to protect and strengthen it.

Root canal treatment can relieve pain, restore tooth function, prevent excessive wear on the surrounding teeth and help save your natural tooth from extraction or possibly the need for a dental implant.

How Much Does a Root Canal Cost?

The national average cost^** of a root canal is $978 but can range from $679 to $1,733. Root canal costs will vary based on the complexity of the procedure, which tooth is affected, your geographic location and whether the procedure is performed by a dentist or endodontist.¹

Average cost of root canals by tooth type

Here are the average costs^** of root canals, depending on which tooth needs to be treated:¹

Calculate the cost of a root canal near you**

Average cost of root canals by state/district

Below is a breakdown of the average cost^** of a single root canal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.¹

Prices do not include the cost of a consultation, any potential ongoing maintenance or repair or potential insurance coverage.

How Do You Pay for Root Canals?

There are several ways to pay for root canals, depending on what your provider offers and your budget. Some pay up front with cash, check or a credit/debit card. Others may choose a payment plan offered through the practice.

If you’d prefer to pay over time, the CareCredit credit card is another option many patients use for out-of-pocket health and wellness services. If approved, you can make monthly payments (with promotional financing options where available). Promotional financing options vary, so review the details and ask the office whether they accept CareCredit before deciding.

Does Insurance Cover Root Canals?

Many dental insurance policies will cover root canal procedures because they are considered a restorative treatment that helps to save a natural tooth. Other plans will cover at least part of endodontic procedures, usually 30% to 50%.²

Because coverage amounts vary by plan, it’s a good idea to review your dental insurance benefits before treatment or to contact your insurance provider to understand your out-of-pocket costs. When considering the cost of total treatment — including a crown, root canal and possible buildup (to rebuild the basic structure of the tooth to accommodate a crown) — the cost can exceed the insurance yearly maximum.

Why You May Need a Root Canal

Patients who have experienced tooth trauma or injuries, broken teeth, deep cavities or other decay are more likely to require a root canal procedure. The following symptoms may indicate that you need a root canal:

• Deep decay or darkened gums
• Raised bumps on the gums
• Sharp pain when chewing or biting
• Swollen or painful gums
• Tooth sensitivity to heat or cold that lingers after the stimulus has been removed

An infection in the root canal can cause a fever of 101 degrees or more, and can also lead to swelling that spreads to the face, neck or head. These symptoms may require immediate medical attention by an oral surgeon or ER doctor.

Types of Root Canals

Dentists may recommend different types of root canal procedures depending on the condition of the affected tooth.

• Traditional or non-surgical root canal. This is the most common root canal procedure, in which the decayed or necrotic pulp tissue and nerves are removed, the cavity is cleaned and the canals in the tooth are sealed with a filling material (gutta-percha and sealer).
• Apicoectomy. When a traditional root canal has been unsuccessful and inflammation or infection remains in the tooth or alveolar (jaw) bone, an apicoectomy, or microsurgical root canal, is performed. Local anesthesia is used, the tip of the tooth’s root is removed and the canal is sealed with a filling material. This solution is used infrequently, and a dental implant may be a better alternative.
• Pulpotomy or pulpectomy. These are procedures done on baby teeth to save a child’s natural tooth in order to maintain space for the adult tooth that erupts later. A pulpotomy removes only the affected tooth pulp, leaving the healthy tooth pulp in the child’s tooth roots. A pulpectomy removes all of the pulp and replaces it with filler material.

How Does a Root Canal Procedure Work?

A root canal is performed in your dentist’s or endodontist’s office. A root canal procedure typically lasts about 60 to 90 minutes, though more complex ones can last longer. The procedure usually requires one to two visits. Many root canals may involve the following seven steps:

1. Dental X-rays and anesthetic. Your dental professional will likely take X-rays and possibly a dental CT scan to determine if the bone or tissue surrounding the tooth has become infected. A root canal is usually painless, as a numbing agent is first applied to the area, then a local anesthetic is injected into the gums around the infected tooth.
2. Placement of a dental dam. A rubber dental dam is usually placed around the tooth to keep it dry from saliva. The rubber dam also serves as a safety device to prevent any instruments from falling into the patient’s throat.
3. Removal of dental pulp. A hole is drilled into the tooth, and the diseased pulp (the living or necrotic tissue in the center of the tooth), bacteria and decayed nerve tissue are removed.
4. Cleaning and shaping of tooth cavity. The area is cleaned and shaped using root canal files (manual or rotary driven) and rinsed using water and sodium hypochlorite solution.
5. Temporizing the tooth. Once the area is cleaned, the tooth may be filled with a temporary filling to keep saliva and food out before the next appointment.
6. Filling the tooth. A sealant compound called gutta-percha is used to fill the root canal inside the tooth. The access hole created at the beginning of treatment will then be closed off with a filling. If there is an infection or abscess, your dentist may apply medication and/or prescribe antibiotics and wait a week before sealing the hole. Some dentists may choose to fill and seal the tooth on the same day.
7. Permanent filling and crown placement. The final step may involve further restoration of the tooth. Root canals are often performed on a tooth that has a large large filling or extensive decay requiring further treatment to prevent future damage. You may need a crown, crown and post or other restoration for full function.

Root Canal Recovery

After a root canal procedure, the mouth may feel numb for several hours. Most patients return to normal activities the same day but may want to wait to eat until the numbness subsides.

Patients may feel soreness or sensitivity around the affected tooth for several days or weeks, particularly if there was pain due to infected tissue prior to the procedure. Patients can help manage their pain with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or naproxen.

Patients may want to avoid chewing with the affected tooth until the procedure has been fully completed with a permanent filling or crown, and should keep the area clean with regular brushing, flossing and an antiseptic mouthwash. Root canals have a 95% success rate at saving the infected tooth and can last a lifetime.

Potential Side Effects and Complications

Root canal treatment has a high success rate, but like any dental procedure, side effects or complications can occasionally occur. Potential complications include reinfection if bacteria enter the treated tooth, fractures in weakened teeth or failure of the original root canal procedure, which may require retreatment or extraction.

Some patients may notice the treated tooth darkening over time, and, in rare cases, an allergic reaction to dental materials may occur. Practicing good oral hygiene and maintaining regular dental checkups can help improve the long-term success of a root canal.

Preserve Your Oral Health With Root Canal Treatment

A root canal is a common procedure that can relieve pain, eliminate infection and help preserve your natural tooth. Knowing what the procedure involves, what it may cost and how recovery typically progresses can help you feel more prepared if your dentist recommends treatment. If you’re experiencing persistent tooth pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold or other signs of infection, scheduling a dental evaluation as soon as possible can help prevent the problem from becoming more serious.

Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canals

Still have questions about root canals? Here are some answers to commonly asked questions.

Financing a Root Canal With the CareCredit Credit Card