A root canal is a dental procedure that can save a tooth from extraction. This procedure aims to repair an infected or partially-decayed tooth to allow it to last for several more years to come.

A root canal is basically done when a tooth’s dentin and pulp have been exposed due to decay of the tooth enamel. The exposure alone of the dentin and pulp can call for infections of the nerve tissue, which can lead to more serious complications that may require extraction. With a root canal treatment, a professional removes the damaged pulp as well as irritants and fills and seals it with a material so that bacteria are prevented from entering the tooth. This gives way to the repair and healing of the roots, which makes the tooth live again as it used to.

The common question regarding a root canal, besides whether or not it is painful, is its cost. However, it is to be noted that root canal treatment prices vary depending on several factors.

THE AVERAGE COST OF ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

The usual cost of a root canal treatment starts from $500 to $1,300. This price usually includes a typical root canal treatment session with the following steps:

• The dentist or specialist will make a thorough examination of the tooth such as performing a radiograph or X-ray. In some cases, the specialist can give a local anesthetic and use a sheet of latex placed around the tooth to keep it dry and clean during the root canal treatment.

• The specialist makes an opening in the tooth’s crown.

• Tiny instruments are used in removing the pulp from the chamber and root canals and then clean the canals and shape them for sealing afterwards. The cleaned root canals are given a temporary filling to protect the tooth.

• At another visit, the root canals are filled and sealed permanently. Then, an opening in the crown is sealed with temporary filling as well.

• Radiographs will be done after the treatment to ensure the success of the procedure.

• During future appointments, the temporary filling in the crown is replaced with a permanent one or a crown. The crown, however, is not included in the calculation of the cost.

• There will be free recall appointments afterwards to see whether or not the root canal, filling, and crown are healing appropriately.

FACTORS AFFECTING ROOT CANAL COSTS

Some of the factors that directly affect the cost of root canal are the following:

General Dentist or Specialist

Basically, a root canal treatment that is done by a general dentist is usually a lot cheaper as compared to the same kind of treatment that is done by an endodontist. The latter’s services are around 30 to 50 percent higher as compared to a root canal performed by a general dentist. The price difference can be explained by the fact that an endodontist performs more complicated operations when it comes to root canal treatment.

Let’s take a look at the comparison of the average price of a root canal between the two practitioners. Today’s average root canal cost when done by a general dentist is $887. On the other hand, the average cost of root canal performed by specialists is $1,500.

The choice of whether the root canal treatment will be done by a general dentist or a specialist does not depend on the price. It should be noted that your dentist can refer you out to an endodontist if there are serious infections or complications in the root canal.

Molar, Bicuspid, or Anterior Tooth

The type of tooth being submitted for a root canal treatment can also affect prices of the procedure. This is true because some teeth are larger and have more root canals than the others. For instance, molars may have three or more root canals while an anterior tooth has only one. The larger the tooth is and the more root canals are, the more expensive the procedure usually becomes.

Here is a price comparison of root canal treatments depending on the type of tooth being subject to the procedure:

Insurance Coverage

Fortunately, dental insurance covers root canal treatment. Individuals who have good dental coverage can save about 60 percent or even more on the cost of root canal depending on the kind of coverage they have.

Besides the three main variables affecting the cost of root canal, your geographical location and the experience of the practitioner can also affect the overall cost of this treatment method. Dentists who are more experienced in the field and who have a lot of credentials usually price their services higher as compared to student dentists and amateur ones. On the other hand, dental clinics located in large urban areas where competition is very much extensive usually price their services lower to get by the silent competition among other dentists and other dental clinics.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

One major additional cost of root canal treatment is the dental crown. The crown is the protective covering that is required to add strength, durability and stability to the tooth after being treated. The price range of dental crowns is $500 to $3,000. The cost can go lower or higher in the scale depending on materials used.

Let’s see the average cost of crowns made of porcelain on metal. A single porcelain crown on noble metal has an average price of $912 while a single porcelain crown on non-precious metal is at $888 on average.

Besides the crown, a cheaper extra cost is over-the-counter analgesics for the pain. Pain can last a day or a few days depending on your tooth’s situation prior to treatment. For instance, a tooth that is already aching before treatment can take some time to heal. Hence, the use of pain medications may be necessary for a longer period of time.

ROOT CANAL RETREATMENT COST

There are some chances that the root canal treatment will not work out initially due to failure of the healing process. When this happens, a root canal retreatment is necessary.

Usually, the cost of retreatment is slightly more expensive than the initial root canal costs. Retreatment is usually 20 to 30 percent more expensive than the initial root canal treatment. This is true because this requires more work as the previous root canal filling materials need to be removed. Then, the specialist goes through a more complicated and serious process such as examining the root canals, cleaning them, searching for additional or unusual canals that require treatment, shaping the canals, and the process goes on just like the normal root canal treatment procedure. And since usually this is done by an endodontist, the price is definitely higher.

Moreover, during a retreatment, there are possibilities of a need for treating infection through surgery. This definitely adds up to the cost of the retreatment procedure.

SAVE ON THE COST OF A ROOT CANAL THROUGH INSURANCE

For people who want to save on the cost of a root canal, insurance coverage is one of the best solutions. Most dental insurance plans can cover 50 to 80 percent of the total cost of the root canal treatment procedure and leave you to pay just 20 to 50 percent of the bill. But usually, dental insurance plans have a limit on the amount of services they can cover for a year.

Slightly similar to dental insurance is a dental discount plan where you can usually get 20 to 60 percent discount on your root canal treatment cost.  However, this is usually limited to an approved network of dentists. Unlike a dental insurance plan, you cannot choose a dentist here. The discounts will not be applicable if your dentist is not accredited by the discount plan providers.

OTHER WAYS TO SAVE ON THE COST OF A ROOT CANAL

Besides dental insurance and discount plans, other ways you can save money on the cost of a root canal treatment are the following:

• For cheaper rates, you can consider getting a root canal treatment from dental colleges. More often than not, supervised students do the procedure at reduced rates.

• Get price estimates from various dental clinics. You will more likely find one that offers the service cheaper but without sacrificing the quality of the root canal treatment.

• Find government and private dental programs that offer cheap dental care to low-income children and adults. You can take advantage of one if you qualify.

• Visit a dentist as soon as you see signs that a root canal may be necessary. The sooner the tooth is evaluated, the sooner your tooth can be fixed. This can mean a simpler treatment and so as a cheaper one. Take note of the following signs that may tell you a root canal is necessary: severe toothache upon chewing, discoloration, swelling and tenderness of nearby gums, and prolonged teeth sensitivity. If you experience these signs, seek the help of a dentist right away.

• Taking care of your teeth is still the best way to save money on a root canal treatment. Regular dental checkups, brushing the teeth twice or more a day, and flossing daily can be your key towards healthy teeth as well as reduced chances of tooth damage.

A FEW MORE REMINDERS…

Before getting a root canal, take into consideration these things first:

• Whether you are looking for a general dentist or an endodontist, make sure you choose one that is licensed and experienced in the field. You may want to check their credentials first. Better yet, find a dentist or specialist in your area that is a member of the American Dental Association.

• If you have a dental insurance plan, talk to your insurance provider first to check the kind of coverage they can offer to you. The provider will also provide you requirement details so you can take advantage of the coverage smoothly.

• Talk with your dentist regarding the condition of your tooth. Ask him to refer you to specialist if there is a need to. Take note that there is no point sticking with a general dentist just because of a lower cost since you can ensure a better treatment from a specialist.

• Don’t settle on cheap root canal treatment procedures if you can afford to pay for a treatment performed by a qualified professional. Take note that a one hundred percent successful job means lower chances of infection and possibilities of retreatment. Keep in mind that these things can make you pay double or more of the price of the original treatment.

It is true that a root canal can turn out to be expensive. However, the money you will spend for a root canal treatment can be far better than other alternatives such as extraction and replacement of implant, bridge, or dentures. This is without mentioning yet that these alternatives are often more expensive than a regular root canal procedure.