Root canal cost: what you'll pay, with and without insurance

What a root canal costs

The price depends mostly on which tooth it is. Front teeth usually have one canal to clean. Molars, the big back teeth, often have three or more, so they take longer and cost more.

These are national ranges without insurance, from a 2026 cost study published by CareCredit (a healthcare credit card company). The crown figures come from the same company’s 2024 study.

Treatment	Typical range, no insurance
Root canal, front tooth	$590 to $1,527
Root canal, premolar	$691 to $1,827
Root canal, molar	$833 to $2,171
Crown afterward, porcelain and metal	$770 to $2,454
Crown afterward, porcelain	$915 to $3,254

The same study puts the national average for a root canal at $978. Delta Dental, a large dental insurer, says out-of-network fees average roughly $1,200 for a front tooth, $1,300 for a premolar and $1,500 for a molar.

Your own dentist’s price can land anywhere in these ranges, or outside them. Ask for a written estimate that lists each item before any work starts.

The crown is often a second bill

A root canal cleans out the inside of the tooth. It doesn’t rebuild it. After the root canal, the tooth needs a permanent filling or a crown to seal it and protect it from breaking.

Back teeth, which take the most chewing force, usually get a crown. A front tooth may only need a filling. Either way, that cost is separate. Delta Dental notes that its root canal fees include the visits and X-rays for the root canal, but not the restoration afterward.

So for a molar, plan on the root canal plus the crown. Using the ranges above, that can add up to several thousand dollars without insurance. See what a crown costs for more.

What drives the price

• Which tooth. More canals mean more time and a higher fee.
• How tricky the canals are. The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) says curved, narrow or extra canals, or a severe infection, can call for more advanced techniques.
• Who does it. A general dentist does many root canals. Harder cases often go to an endodontist, a specialist with at least two extra years of training, and fees can differ.
• Where you live. Local costs of care vary a lot by region.
• Whether it’s a redo. The AAE lists retreatment among the cases that can need more advanced techniques. We didn’t find a reliable national price for a redo, so ask for an estimate. See pain after a root canal for when a redo comes up.

With insurance

Delta Dental says it’s common for plans to cover 50 to 80 percent of a root canal after the deductible. The crown is billed separately. Ask how much of your plan’s yearly maximum the root canal and crown together will use.

Before treatment, ask your dentist’s office to send a pre-treatment estimate to your insurer. The AAE notes that some plans require approval in advance. That tells you what you’ll owe before you commit.

Is pulling the tooth cheaper?

On the day, often yes. But the AAE points out that a missing tooth usually needs an implant or a bridge later, and those tend to cost more than saving the tooth. See tooth extraction cost to compare.

If your tooth hurts right now, don’t wait on price shopping. See what to do for a toothache right now, and call a dentist.

Ways to pay less

1. Get a written estimate for the root canal and the crown together. Ask what’s included: X-rays, the temporary filling, the core build-up under the crown.
2. Use a dental savings plan if you don’t have insurance. It’s a discount membership, not insurance, and many plans start within a few business days. See dental savings plans explained.
3. Check a dental school or community health center. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research says dental school clinics often charge less, and federally funded health centers charge based on income.
4. Ask about a payment plan. Many offices will spread the bill over a few months. Read the terms before you sign anything.
5. Price it out first. The dental cost estimator shows what a plan might save on your treatment.

Don’t wait for the tooth to get worse to save money. An infection that spreads can turn a root canal into an extraction, or an ER visit.

How to avoid the next one

Many root canals start as a cavity or a crack that went unfixed.

• Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and clean between your teeth once a day.
• Keep up with checkups, so small cavities get a filling instead of a root canal.
• Get the crown on the treated tooth soon, and keep it in good shape.
• If you grind your teeth, ask about a night guard. See jaw and tooth pain from grinding.