How Much Does a Root Canal Cost?

While the cost of having a root canal can seem overwhelming, the most important thing to remember is that the cost of avoiding having the treatment done will be considerably more if left unchecked and significant problems develop. Emergency dental procedures, can be even more costly, so don’t wait for the problem to become more advanced.

If you have been told a root canal procedure is necessary, there are several different factors that will determine the ultimate cost of the procedure.

Where Is the Root Canal Procedure Taking Place?

One of the biggest cost determinants of your procedure is the location of the affected tooth. Front teeth are generally less expensive to treat, because they are less complicated - they typically only have one root. Molars can have as many as three to 5 roots, which means a greater amount of work for your dentist, and a higher overall cost.

While the final costs will be determined by geographic location and the type of clinic you are visiting, the national average cost is $800 for a front tooth root canal, $1000 for a premolar, and $1,200 for a molar.

What Is the Severity of Your Case?

Another significant factor in determining the overall cost of your root canal procedure is the severity of the decay. Because greater decay likely means a larger bill, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with your dentist if you have been experiencing tooth sensitivity. If you are able to catch the infection early, the overall process and cost involved in addressing the issue will be significantly cheaper.

If you have avoided addressing the issue, and your tooth or teeth have severely decayed, the odds of needing a root canal, or possibly even an extraction will increase as can the total cost to fix your dental situation.

Is This a New Root Canal or Retreatment?

While location and severity are two significant factors in determining the overall cost of your procedure, another important cost factor is whether or not the tooth being worked on has already had a root canal procedure. Retreating a tooth that has had a root canal is more expensive, but may occur because the original tooth did not heal properly, or due to developing an infection or fracture. If this does occur, your dentist will have to reopen your tooth to remove the filling and clean the canals before performing the root canal procedure.

This added complexity will increase the overall cost of having this procedure performed.

Will Insurance Cover the Cost of a Root Canal?

Fortunately, most insurance plans will cover all or part of a root canal procedure. Be sure to discuss your coverage with your dental insurance , who should be able to give you a clear idea of what your total costs will be. If you do not currently have dental insurance and are concerned about covering the cost of a root canal procedure, it is a good idea to discuss potential financing options available.

Contact Baer Dental Regarding your Root Canal Treatment needs today!

For more information on root canals : Are Root Canals Painful?