Root canals cost: prices for every procedure
Root canal pricing depends almost entirely on which tooth is involved. A front tooth has one canal; a molar can have four and takes far longer. A specialist endodontist usually charges more than a general dentist and usually has better equipment for a difficult case.
Observed dataObserved negotiated rates. Every figure here is a real negotiated amount taken from payer files published under the federal Transparency in Coverage rule. These are what a dental plan pays a contracted practice - not a cash price.
Estimated self-payEstimated self-pay range, not an observation. We do not have observed cash prices, and we will not present a modelled number as though we did. This range is the upper half of the same observed negotiated distribution, shown because an uninsured patient generally pays at or above the highest negotiated tier. Treat it as a budgeting aid and ask any practice for a written quote.
Ranked by median price
Medians only. The table below gives the full observed range and sample size for each.
Observed prices in full
| Treatment | Negotiated range Observed | Median | Spread | Practices (n) | Est. self-pay Estimated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Root canal, molar | $684 – $897 | $786 | 25,495 | $786 – $996 | |
| Root canal, premolar | $542 – $715 | $628 | 25,490 | $628 – $798 | |
| Root canal, front tooth | $461 – $617 | $538 | 25,305 | $538 – $690 |
What to watch forA root canal is rarely the whole cost. The tooth normally needs a crown afterwards, and sometimes a build-up as well. Budget for the sequence, not the first number you are quoted.