2026 root canal cost guide
How Much Does a Root Canal Cost in 2026?
A root canal usually costs $700–$1,800 before the final filling or crown. Front teeth tend to cost less because they normally have fewer canals; molars and retreatment cost more because the anatomy and treatment time are more complex.
Key takeaways
- Front-tooth treatment often costs $700–$1,100.
- Molar treatment commonly costs $1,000–$1,800.
- A crown, core build-up, emergency exam, or specialist visit may be billed separately.
- Saving a restorable tooth may cost less long-term than extraction followed by a bridge or implant.
Root canal cost by tooth
| Treatment | Typical cost | Why it varies |
|---|---|---|
| Front tooth | $700–$1,100 | Usually one canal |
| Premolar | $800–$1,300 | One or two canals |
| Molar | $1,000–$1,800 | Three or more canals |
| Retreatment | $1,200–$2,500 | Existing material must be removed |
| Crown after treatment | $875–$2,500 | Material and remaining tooth structure |
What is included in a root canal fee?
The treatment fee normally covers anesthesia, isolation, cleaning and shaping the canals, disinfection, and filling the canal space. The exam, X-rays or CBCT scan, buildup, post, and final crown may be separate.
Ask for a written plan showing the tooth number, whether an endodontist is treating it, and the restoration needed afterward.
Root canal versus extraction cost
Extraction can appear cheaper when only the removal fee is compared. A complete comparison includes replacement with a partial denture, bridge, or implant and the effect on neighboring teeth.
A tooth with a poor fracture, periodontal, or restorative prognosis may not be worth treating. Cost should be considered after the tooth's restorability is established.
Insurance and no-insurance options
Plans commonly classify root canal therapy as a basic or major service and may cover a percentage after the deductible. Annual maximums and waiting periods still apply.
Without insurance, ask about cash fees, dental schools, staged crown placement when clinically appropriate, and written financing terms.
Reading a quote for root canal treatment line by line
The label on a quote tells you less than the lines beneath it. Check the same tooth, the same provider type, and whether the final restoration is included, and make sure that anything not included is stated rather than assumed.
If a line is vague, ask the office to define it. Reputable practices are used to explaining their quotes, and a written breakdown protects both sides.
- Look for items listed as 'additional' or 'if needed'
- Ask what could change the total and by how much
- Confirm the warranty in writing
- Keep a copy of every estimate you receive
What the treatment involves
The dentist numbs the tooth, removes the infected or damaged pulp, cleans and shapes the canals and seals them. The tooth is then restored, usually with a crown for a back tooth, because a treated tooth can be more brittle.
Many root canals are completed in one or two visits. Mild soreness afterwards is common and usually settles with simple pain relief, but ongoing or worsening symptoms should be reported.
What a root canal quote should include
A quote for the root canal alone is not the full cost of keeping the tooth. Ask what is and is not included.
- The tooth and the number of canals expected
- Imaging and the emergency or exam fee
- A build-up and the crown that usually follows
- Any referral to an endodontist
- A follow-up visit and what happens if the tooth needs retreatment
Root canal compared with extraction
Keeping a natural tooth is often preferable if it can be saved. Extraction is usually cheaper on the day, but replacing the tooth with an implant, a bridge or a denture can cost more over time and affects neighboring teeth.
Your dentist can explain whether the tooth is restorable. A tooth with extensive decay, a vertical fracture or severe gum loss may not be a good candidate.
Insurance and timing
Plans vary in how they classify root canal treatment, and the crown that follows is often a separate claim with its own limits. A waiting period or annual maximum can affect when and how treatment is scheduled.
Pain and infection should not wait. If a tooth is infected, ask the office about the fastest option and whether a payment plan is available.
Next, root canal cost calculator, root canal costs by tooth, root canal retreatment costs, and root canal insurance coverage are good places to continue. Each page uses the same planning approach, so figures and questions carry over.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much is a root canal and crown together?
Why does a molar root canal cost more?
Does dental insurance cover root canals?
Is extraction always cheaper?
More questions people ask
Does the dentist pay for a failed root canal?
Policies differ by office. Many offices will retreat or redo a root canal that did not heal for a reduced fee or at no charge within a set period, and some will not. Ask about the office's re-treatment policy before treatment and get it in writing. See root canal retreatment cost.
Cost guides by topic
Aftercare and eating guides
Free, sourced guides for before and after treatment.
Sources and methodology
Prices are educational ranges, not quotes. Actual fees vary by diagnosis, provider, materials, insurance, and location.