🦿 Cost Estimators

Root Canal Cost Estimator

2026 root canal pricing by tooth type, provider, and insurance coverage. Includes post and core build-up, crown cost, and total out-of-pocket calculation.

By Tooth Type Dentist vs Endodontist Crown Included Insurance Adjustment PDF Export
Root Canal Cost Estimator
2026 US National Average Pricing
Which Tooth?
Treatment Details
Complex molars and retreatments are typically referred to an endodontist.
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🦿 Root Canal Cost Breakdown

RCT Only
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Root canal procedure
Total with Crown
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Full treatment
Your Out-of-Pocket
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After insurance estimate
Disclaimer: These are 2026 US national average estimates. Root canal costs vary significantly by tooth anatomy, case difficulty, and provider. Retreatment costs are 20-40% higher than new treatment. Always request a written pre-treatment estimate. Insurance coverage categorisation varies by plan - root canals are often classified as basic (80%) but some plans classify them as major (50%).

Why root canal cost varies so much

The main driver of root canal cost is the number of canals - more canals means more time and complexity. Front teeth typically have 1 canal ($700-$1,500). Premolars have 1-2 canals ($800-$1,800). Molars have 3-4 canals ($1,000-$2,500). An endodontist charges 20-40% more than a general dentist for the same tooth - justified for complex cases where specialist skills reduce complication rates.

The root canal itself is only half the story. Almost every molar and premolar that has a root canal should be crowned within 2-4 weeks. Unrestored root-canal-treated teeth fracture at a very high rate - the tooth becomes brittle without the nerve's moisture supply. Add $1,000-$2,500 for the crown and the total treatment cost for a molar with insurance is typically $800-$2,000 out-of-pocket.

For post-treatment recovery, use our Healing Time Estimator. For crown-specific costs, see the Crown Cost Calculator. To manage insurance benefits, check the Insurance Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

For most patients, saving the natural tooth with a root canal and crown is preferable to extraction. Extracted teeth require replacement - an implant ($3,000-$5,500), bridge ($2,500-$6,000), or partial denture - all of which cost more than the root canal and crown combined. Natural teeth also preserve the jawbone better than any replacement option. Extraction is appropriate when the tooth is not restorable, when cost is prohibitive, or when the prognosis is very poor regardless of treatment.
Most dental PPO plans cover root canals as a basic procedure at 80% after the deductible. Some plans classify root canals on molars as major (50%). The crown needed afterward is covered as a major procedure at 50%. Between the root canal at 80% and the crown at 50%, insurance typically covers 60-70% of the total treatment cost - leaving you $600-$1,500 out-of-pocket depending on your remaining annual maximum. Use our Insurance Calculator to estimate your specific coverage.

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