A root canal treatment is a medically necessary procedure that prevents an infected tooth from causing complications. When considering a root canal, no insurance often means people choose to forgo the operation entirely, as it can cost anywhere from $700 to $1,500.
In this guide, we’ll go over all the parts of a root canal procedure, as well as your best options for paying for it.
Your tooth is roughly made up of three parts: the enamel, the dentine, and the pulp. The enamel is the outermost part of the tooth that protects the inner structures from external elements. The dentine is the collagenous middle portion, while the pulp is the nerve-ending-rich innermost part of the tooth.
When you have damage in the enamel and the dentine, bacteria may begin to invade the pulp. When this happens, you can experience significant inflammation, pain, and sensitivity in your tooth.
A root canal addresses this issue by drilling a hole in the tooth and removing the diseased nerves from the pulp. In the process, a “canal” is formed, which is sealed after the procedure has been completed. If a root canal is performed in time, then it will prevent you from needing a tooth extraction.
Both endodontists and general dentists can perform root canals. Endodontists are basically dentists, but with additional training. As such, they generally have much more experience with these procedures. They specialize in treating various dental issues, particularly those involving the pulp.
The average cost of a root canal is around $1,000 without insurance, but many factors can affect the actual price you pay.
The location of the tooth is one factor that impacts the cost, with molars in the back of the mouth being more expensive due to difficult accessibility. Not to mention molars have complicated root systems that can require longer procedures.
The severity of the infection is another factor that influences cost. A procedure on a severely abscessed tooth will be more expensive because it will take longer and could require additional services, like the surgical removal of infected tissue.
The type of filling materials used can also impact cost. If you want composite materials, for example, you can expect to pay more than if you go with amalgam filling.
Your dentist's expertise could play a role as well, with seasoned professionals or those specializing in root canals generally charging more for their services.
The exact cost of a root canal will depend on the kind of insurance you have. Most insurance plans cover a percentage of root canal costs, ranging from 50% to 80%.
For example, if the procedure is $1,000 and you have 50% coverage from your insurance, you could expect to pay $500 out of pocket.
In some cases, your insurance plan may have an annual maximum that covers procedures up to a certain yearly sum and requires you to pay the rest. Your choice of provider will also affect the price, depending on whether they are in-network or out-of-network.
Root canals are medically necessary procedures; as such, most dental insurance plans cover them, as well as checkups and other endodontic treatments. However, a large portion of U.S. adults—as high as 8.4% in 2022—do not have a health insurance policy.
In some cases, payment plans or discount plans are available for uninsured people who need dental care, but these dental plans aren’t always accessible options.
How much a root canal procedure costs largely depends on which tooth is affected. A root canal performed on the front teeth usually costs between $600 and $1,100 dollars. In contrast, The average cost of a root canal performed on the back teeth may be as high as $1,500 dollars.
Regardless of the exact price, most root canal procedures can seem prohibitively expensive to some patients. However, because a root canal is a medically necessary procedure, not undergoing it may not be an option.
That’s where Flossy comes in. Flossy is a free service that connects people with dental providers who offer dental services at discounted rates. Regardless of whether or not you have insurance, you can still benefit from Flossy’s carefully-vetted network of affordable dental providers.
It’s important to keep an eye out for any unusual symptoms that could indicate a need for a root canal. Severe pain tends to be the most obvious, but you’ll also need to watch for any strange bumps in your gums. These bumps are known as fistulas and could be a sign that you need a root canal.
You may also experience sensitivity to heat and cold, as well as swollen, tender gums. Another sign that potentially points to needing a root canal is if your tooth chips or breaks. If it broke on its own and wasn’t caused by an injury, this could mean that an infection has progressed enough to cause the tooth to decay.
There are also a few dental issues that can cause root canals if left untreated.
If you have crowns that weren’t placed correctly or are damaged, bacteria could be getting into your tooth. This can lead to the development of infections that require root canals.
Decay will progress if you don’t take action. This means that a tooth with a cavity will continue to decay until the infection reaches the pulp. This kind of deep decay will either require a tooth extraction or a root canal.
A cracked or chipped tooth is more likely to suffer decay. When your tooth is missing protective enamel, bacteria can quickly spread to and infect the pulp, which leads to needing a root canal.
The first part of a root canal procedure is the diagnosis. After your general dentist performs a manual examination of your teeth and gums, they will take a dental X-ray. If they observe significant inflammation in the pulp, then they will recommend a root canal procedure.
Before you begin your procedure, your dentist or dental clinic worker will inject you with a small dose of local anesthesia. This anesthetic will completely numb the area around your tooth and allow your dentist to operate on the nerve-rich pulp without causing you any pain.
During the procedure, your dentist will use a manual drill to make a “canal” in the tooth. Using a special dental instrument, your dentist will clean out the inflamed pulp. To reduce the risk of infection, they will clean out the area with an antiseptic solution.
Next, your dentist will fill the canal with a rubber-like material that completely seals the opening. Then might add a filling on top of the tooth to ensure that no bacteria are able to invade the space.
Depending on the severity of your tooth’s damage, you might need to have a dental crown placed on top of the tooth. This will significantly help you with resuming normal functions, such as biting and chewing. Usually, you will need to come back on another day to have the crown attached.
After the procedure, your dentist will instruct you regarding aftercare of the affected tooth, including what foods you can and cannot eat after a root canal.
If you need to have a root canal procedure done but don’t have insurance, then there are several options that you can turn to. Here are the best options for low-cost root canal procedures.
Advanced dental students need to meet practicum requirements in order to become licensed dentists. To thank the volunteers who allow this to happen, dental schools offer discounts on dental services as high as 30%. With a dental school, a root canal can run you several hundred dollars.
You may understandably feel worried about having services performed by a dental student. However, students undergo extensive schooling before they are able to perform procedures on patients. In addition, every step of the procedure will be supervised by a licensed dentist.
Depending on where you live, you may have access to public clinics that are run by local or state health departments. These clinics are usually subsidized by the government, which is why they can offer dental services that are either free or on a sliding scale.
If you fall below a certain income threshold, then you may be eligible for government-subsidized health insurance. Programs such as Medicaid offer comprehensive health care plans that often include dental benefits. Similar to most health care plans, you might have to pay a small copayment or deductible to receive dental services.
While a financing plan won’t technically reduce the price of a root canal, it can make paying for the procedure much more manageable. Depending on your dental provider, you might be able to split up the cost of a root canal over the course of three, six, or even 12 months.
Learn more about what you can expect regarding root canal costs.
Yes, a root canal can be worth the cost because it preserves your natural tooth. Although it may seem costly at first, it can help you avoid serious complications, including fatal tooth infections, and the need to get dental implants, dental bridges, or even an entire set of dentures.
Compared to a root canal, a pulpotomy is a cheaper option since it eliminates pulp tissues in the tooth that have been infected, ensuring the roots remain healthy. The dentist fills in the gap in the tooth and seals it. It can be a more affordable alternative if the infection hasn’t progressed beyond the pulp.
Whether you’ll need a crown after a root canal will depend on the amount of tooth left. If more than half of the tooth is gone, a crown will likely be necessary. Ask your dentist about the kind of crown costs you can expect.
In cases when the tooth hasn’t suffered much structural damage, dental bonding may be a better choice.
If you experience a tooth infection that reaches the deeper parts of the tooth, then getting a root canal as soon as possible is important to prevent further complications. However, if you don’t have dental insurance, then paying for a root canal may seem impossible.
Fortunately, you have several options for getting a root canal procedure at a discount. A dental school, a public clinic, a government-subsidized health care plan, or a financing option can all be considered to help you pay for the procedure.
Our Sources:
Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2020 | Census
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