Root Canal Cost: Prices With & Without Insurance

A root canal is a dental procedure that treats the inside of a tooth. The dentist or endodontist cleans out the damaged tissue, seals the space, and the tooth usually gets a crown afterward. The fee you see depends mostly on which tooth is treated and who treats it.

Prices below come from published guides and carry a check date of Oct 12, 2026. They describe the root canal itself. The crown, the exam, and the X-rays are often billed separately, so ask what a quote covers before you compare offices.

The price rises as you move toward the back of the mouth. Front teeth have the simplest structure, premolars sit in the middle, and molars cost the most. Both sources in the table show that same order, even though their dollar figures differ.

When you ask an office for a number, tell them which tooth is involved, since a front-tooth quote will not predict a molar bill.

Why molars cost more

Molars have more canals and are harder to reach. The procedure takes more time and more skill, which may account for the higher fee. Some general dentists refer molar cases to an endodontist, a specialist who may charge more for the same tooth. A licensed dentist can tell you which provider your case needs.

Prices shift with local costs. The averages below are for four large states.

Within a state, big cities tend to cost more than smaller towns. One source also lists a figure for a single metro area.

Sources report different numbers for the same tooth type. The most likely reasons are the sample of offices each one draws from, whether the figure includes an exam or X-rays, and whether the practice is a general dentist or a specialist. Treat the tables as a range for planning, then get a quote for your own tooth.

Without dental coverage, you pay the office's full fee. Many offices will quote a lower cash price or offer a discount plan, so ask. If the bill is more than you can pay at once, common options are:

• an in-house payment plan
• a healthcare credit card or loan, which may charge interest if the balance is not paid within the promotional period
• a health savings or flexible spending account
• a dental school clinic, where supervised students may treat patients at reduced fees

Read financing terms before you sign. Ask whether interest is deferred and what happens if a payment is missed.

Most dental plans cover part of a root canal, but the share depends on the plan. Plans often group root canals under "major" or "basic" services, and each category has its own percentage and waiting period. Your annual maximum also limits what the plan pays, and a crown may count toward that same limit.

To avoid surprises, ask the office to send a pre-treatment estimate to your insurer. You will get a written statement of what the plan expects to pay and what you owe. Check whether the office is in your plan's network, because out-of-network fees can raise your share.

A root canal is rarely the only charge. Ask whether your quote includes:

• the exam and X-rays that confirm the diagnosis
• anesthesia
• a temporary filling placed after the procedure
• the permanent crown, which is often a separate fee
• follow-up visits

The crown is the item people most often overlook. It is typically billed on its own, so a low root canal price can still lead to a large total.

• Which tooth is being treated, and is the quoted price for that tooth type?
• Is the fee for a general dentist or an endodontist?
• What does the price include, and what is billed separately?
• Will I need a crown, and how much does it cost?
• Can the office check my insurance benefits before the procedure?
• Do you offer a cash discount or payment plan?

For decisions about whether a tooth needs a root canal or another treatment, talk to a licensed dentist. This page covers cost only.