Understanding the Charges for Root Canal Treatment
Prathyusha Itikarlapalli
- Content Writer
Key Takeaways
- Charges for root canal treatment can be tricky and depend on the tooth position, decay intensity, restoration type, dentist expertise, clinic reputation, and location.
- Root canal cost without insurance can be high due to the specialized equipment and materials needed to complete the procedure.
- Opting for dental insurance, financing options, and discounted payment plans for root canal treatment can help alleviate expensive prices.
What Is Root Canal Treatment?
Getting a root canal treatment eases the dreadful pain caused by tooth decay and caries. Oral bacteria make their way into the tooth structure through weakened enamel or tooth cracks. Over time, it infects the tooth pulp, causing severe pain and discomfort. A general dentist or an endodontic specialist cleans the infected pulp to save the tooth. They aim to preserve the tooth and avoid tooth extraction.[1]
Typically, dentists perform the root canal procedure after confirming tooth decay. While tooth pain is one common symptom of a decayed tooth, its important to rule out the exact underlying cause for pain. Your dentist will look for the common signs of decayed teeth and conduct dental X-rays. This is to understand the tooth condition and the extent of decay. Next, the dentist numbs the decayed tooth using local anesthesia to drill a hole into the tooth. Using specialized tools, they clean the canals and remove the infected pulp. Next, they cover the disinfected canals using filling materials to prevent the re-entry of bacteria into the cleaned canals. Further, they fix a restoration on the tooth to restore its function.[2]
The procedure for root canal re-treatment remains more or less similar. The symptoms of root canal re-infection are similar to tooth decay. Neglecting the early signs can worsen the situation. In case of retreatment, the dentist reopens the drilled cavities. They look for uncleaned, curved canals or surgically remove the root canal tip, which, in most cases, is the cause of re-infection.
What Is the Cost for Root Canal Treatment?
The average cost for root canal treatment depends on various factors, among which the geographical location of your dentist or clinic is one. For instance, the charges for root canal typically range between $800 and $1,500 per tooth in the United States. On the other hand, you will be charged between $700 and $2,100 per tooth for a root canal in Canada. While the NHS charges for root canal treatment fall under Band 2, it would cost you £73.5 in England.[3] On the other hand, dentists in countries like Mexico or India offer affordable root canal therapies. For example, root canal cost in Mexico starts at around $340 and goes as high as $450 per tooth. In Turkey, it ranges between $100 and $1,000. Meanwhile, the price for root canal treatment in India is between $25 and $180 per tooth.
Typically, root canal treatment bills include the costs of dental X-rays, anesthesia, cleaning, disinfection, filling, and dental restorations. While a few dentists quote inclusive prices, some quote separate pricing for diagnostic tests and anesthesia. Below are the root canal treatment-associated costs.
Root canal treatment associated costs
|
Type |
Average cost |
|
Anesthesia |
$500 |
|
Dental X-rays |
$200 |
|
Post-treatment restorations |
$1,500 (per tooth) |
# Prices vary with the case.
Root canal treatment prices can be tricky. Knowing various factors influencing the prices can help you make an informed decision. Now, let’s dive into the key factors affecting root canal treatment costs.
Factors Deciding Root Canal Treatment Costs
The average price for root canal treatment depends on factors such as:
- Tooth position
- Severity of tooth decay
- Type of restoration you need
- Dentist or endodontist performing the procedure
- The clinic you choose for treatment
- Whether you choose dental insurance or not
Typically, getting a root canal for the front teeth costs less than for the back teeth or molars. Dentists can access the front teeth with ease. However, accessing molars and premolars is relatively difficult. Further, some candidates have curved or hidden canals in their molars, which are difficult to clean. More importantly, severe tooth decay below the gumline requires a minor surgical procedure to clean the canals and clear off the infection. Hence, their costs are relatively high.
Dentists restore the tooth function using permanent restorations like dental crowns. The overall treatment costs depend on the restoration type. Front teeth require durable yet aesthetic restorations like zirconia or all-porcelain crowns. Molars primarily serve masticatory functions, and you’ll need hardy crowns like porcelain fused with metal. Dental crown prices significantly vary with the type of material they are made from. Some choose the cheaper dental crown options like all-metal crowns that are the least aesthetically pleasing but extremely hardy.
Further root canal costs also depend on the dentist performing the procedure. General dentists ideally charge reasonable prices. However, dental specialists in endodontics charge expensive bills for their expertise. Besides the dentist's expertise, the clinic's reputation also influences the root canal treatment costs. For instance, fully modernized clinics in urban areas offering luxury amenities for the patients indeed quote fancy prices. The expensive clinic maintenance charges influence the treatment costs. However, clinics located in smaller towns or suburbs also provide the same quality of services with affordable pricing.
The cost of root canal and crown with insurance is relatively less than paying out-of-pocket bills. While the percentage of insurance coverage differs with the insurance provider, it will be a relief to some extent.
Why Do Root Canals Cost So Much?
The average cost of root canal and crown are typically high due to the equipment and material costs. Root canals within the tooth are tiny and require specialized devices for cleaning. Further, reaching out to the hidden canals and clearing the infected pulp requires precision. Improper cleaning or hard-to-reach canals can result in root canal re-infection. Some complex cases of tooth decay below the gum line require dental experts to carry out minor surgical procedures to remove the infected root canal tip.
Adding to the procedural costs would be the dental crown costs. Dental crowns are the tooth caps to cover the cleaned root canals while preventing re-infection and restoring tooth functionality. Highly skilled technicians fabricated these customized restorations in the dental labs using quality dental materials. The material costs and the equipment costs of collecting digital tooth impressions add up to the overall root canal costs, making it expensive. While dental costs can be an overburden for a few, getting insurance coverage offers relief to some extent. Now, let’s dive deeper into this.
What Are the Charges for Root Canal With Insurance?
Most dental insurance partially covers root canal bills. Root canal cost with insurance is case-dependent. Below are some crucial factors that influence root canal costs with insurance.
- Percentage of coverage: Root canal charges with insurance vary with the dental insurance providers. While most providers offer coverage between 40-80%, the exact coverage varies with the specific plan you choose. This is indeed proportional to the amount of annual deductible.
- Choosing dentists: Most insurance providers offer a list of in-network dentists. You benefit from a higher coverage percentage by getting treated by them. However, choosing an out-of-network dentist can amount to higher out-of-pocket expenses.
Note that some insurance providers mention terms like pre-approval or minimum specified waiting periods. It's important to verify all the details before making a dental insurance plan for root canal treatment. Knowing this, are you wondering if getting a root canal treatment is really worth the price? Worry not as we have detailed it for you for an informed decision.
A Root Canal and Crown Cost Without Insurance: Is It Worth It?
Root canal treatment value goes beyond its price tag. In fact, the worth of any dental treatment relates to its importance of preserving oral health, patient comfort, and the dentist's expertise in performing the procedure. We believe that the decision is entirely a personal one, so we mentioned the pros and cons of the choice below. Read along to make an informed decision.
Pros of Root Canal Treatment
- It eases off the deep throbbing pain caused by decayed teeth.
- Getting a root canal saves the natural tooth, avoiding the need for tooth extraction.
Cons of Root Canal Treatment
- It can lead to root canal re-infection when the procedure is not carried out properly.
- Treatment requires multiple clinic visits, which can be time-consuming.
Since the worth of choice depends on the dentist's expertise, here are a few questions you can ask your dentist before planning for your treatment.
What To Ask Your Dentist Before Getting a Root Canal Treatment?
Here are a few questions you should ask the dentist before getting your root canal treatment done.
- How many days will it take for root canal treatment?
- What are the dental restoration choices, along with their costs?
- Can I claim insurance for root canal?
- Do they help with the insurance-related paperwork?
- Whether they offer payment plans and guarantees on the restorations?
- What kind of diagnostic tests are required along with their prices?
- Are there any out-of-pocket expenses if treatment is covered under insurance?
Having asked these questions, do you feel that getting a root canal treatment is a heavy on-pocket expense? Worry not, as we detailed a solution for this in the upcoming section.
What if I Cannot Afford a Root Canal?
Delaying root canal treatment due to financial causes can lead to severe consequences. While the quality of life deteriorates due to pain and discomfort, the infection worsens. It can actively spread to other body parts, generating a life-threatening emergency. Consider any of the following choices, if root canal treatment charges are financially not feasible for you.
- Find out the free or low cost root canals offered by the dental charity programs or dental schools.
- Verify the terms and conditions mentioned by the dental insurance provider and check out if your dentist falls as an in-network dentist. Getting treated by an in-network dentist will reduce out-of-pocket costs.
- Discuss your financial status and ask your dentist for discounts or payment plans.
- Travel abroad for affordable root canal therapy. However, be sure of thorough background verification while deciding on abroad dentists and clinics for root canal procedures.
- Find alternative methods of root canal treatment. Tooth extraction would be a permanent solution, but it's not recommended for all cases. While extraction seems affordable, it requires restorations like bridges or implants, which may add up to the final expenses. You may rely on antibiotics and at-home pain-management tips to offer temporary relief.
While you deal with these, prevent further damage that can worsen the condition of your teeth. Maintain oral hygiene and limit the dietary intake of sugary, hard, or chewy foods that may actually aggravate the problem.
Comparing Root Canal Cost With Its Most Common Alternative
While root canals aim to save the tooth from infection, severely decayed teeth with poor functionality are removed. Simple tooth extraction cost ranges between $75 and $200 in the United States. While this cost may seem far more affordable than the root canal price in the United States, tooth extraction should be followed by dental restoration, which is indeed pricy. Replacing the missing tooth with a denture or dental bridge incurs expensive bills. Alternatively, a left space leaves an empty gap. These visible gaps look awkward when you smile and also affect functions like chewing and talking clearly. On the other hand, empty spaces in a jaw over prolonged periods cause misalignment issues. Healthy teeth adjacent to the gaps move into the gaps, causing bite issues. In some patients, missing teeth cause jawbone loss over the years, leading to sunken cheeks.
Don't let financial concerns keep you from the oral health you deserve. The dedicated patient managers at Envoy Health are here to guide you every step of the way and ensure a smooth and comfortable treatment journey. We also offer second opinions from leading specialists to provide you with complete peace of mind. Sign up with Envoy Health, and let's get your smile back on track.
References
Disclaimer
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your doctor before starting any treatments.
While completely free root canals are quite rare, you can try them at dental charity programs or dental schools. Don’t worry if you cannot access a completely free root canal. You can still access low-cost root canal options with dental insurance, flexible payments, financing options, and discount plans.
Root canal treatment is required for cracked teeth if the crack is too severe and has reached the inner pulp. Dentists usually carry out simple procedures like inlays or outlays in cases of minor tooth cracks. While inlays and outlays are cost-effective, less invasive procedures, root canals are recommended for extensive cracks.
The non-surgical root canal cost in the United States is around $800 and $1,500 per tooth. While root canal charges vary with the geographical location, costs in Canada range between $700 and $2,100. Note that root canal costs also depend on the tooth position and intensity of tooth decay. Typically, root canal costs for front teeth are lower than those of the back teeth. Molars are hard to reach and have complex root canals, adding to the expensive costs.
If you can't afford the normal prices, you can opt for low-cost root canal options like dental insurance or financing. Note that delaying treatment can increase the severity of the infection. In some patients, it can even spread to the surrounding oral tissues and facial parts.
Dental crowns cost after a root canal varies with the material and dentist you choose to get them done. Zirconia crowns cost between $1,500 and $3,000, and porcelain crowns cost range between $1,000 and $3,000 per unit. You may choose the cheapest crown options, like those made from all-metal for molars and premolars.
In order to get a root canal procedure covered by insurance, you need to have dental insurance that covers root canals. You need to check the terms and conditions specified by the insurer. While few providers offer partial coverage, some expect a wait period after purchasing the insurance. Some require pre-authorization approval from the dentist in order to avail maximum coverage. More importantly, it's essential to check if your dentist is an in-network dentist with the insurance provider. This will avoid surprise out-of-the-pocket expenses.
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