Root canal cost by tooth
The more roots and canals a tooth has, the more a root canal costs: a front tooth usually has one canal, a premolar one or two, and a molar three or four. Dental offices bill each tooth type under its own procedure code, and the American Association of Endodontists notes that molars are harder to treat, so the fee is usually higher.[5] Average fees in insurance-claims data step up the same way.[1]
| Tooth | Low | Typical | High | Dental school |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Front tooth D3310 | $800 | $1,100 | $1,500 | – |
Premolar D3320 | $900 | $1,250 | $1,700 | – |
Molar D3330 | $1,100 | $1,500 | $2,100 | about $700 |
| Molar + buildup + ceramic crown | $2,300 | $3,350 | $4,700 | about $1,590 |
The typical figures come from average dentist fees in FAIR Health claims data and the 2020 ADA Survey of Dental Fees (a molar root canal averaged about $1,109 in 2020), brought to 2026 dollars with the Bureau of Labor Statistics dental services price index.[1][2][4] They agree with what patients reported paying themselves in 2024: the median self-paid root canal visit cost about $900, and one in four cost $1,600 or more.[3] Medicaid programs pay far less, about 39% of average dentist charges nationally, which marks the floor rather than a price you will be offered.[6]
How much does a root canal cost without insurance, with the crown?
Counting the crown, a molar root canal usually costs $2,300–$4,700 in total. After treatment the tooth is restored with a crown or a filling, according to the American Association of Endodontists;[5] back teeth that take heavy chewing forces are often crowned, so budget for one unless your dentist says a filling will do. A crown is usually placed in a separate visit, and many teeth also need a core buildup (D2950) to give the crown something to hold on to.
| Step | Code | Typical |
|---|---|---|
| Root canal, molar | D3330 | $1,500 |
| Core buildup | D2950 | $350 |
| All-ceramic crown | D2740 | $1,500 |
X-rays and the exam that diagnose the problem are usually billed separately; see the cost of an exam and X-rays. For crown materials and prices on their own, see how much a crown costs without insurance.
What affects the price of a root canal
| Factor | Effect on price | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tooth type | Molar costs most | More canals to find, clean and fill |
| General dentist vs endodontist | Specialist usually higher | Specialist fees cover microscopes, 3D imaging and harder cases |
| Retreatment of an old root canal | Higher than a first root canal | Billed under separate codes (D3346–D3348); the 2020 ADA survey put molar retreatment near $1,246 |
| Your area | About −11% to +25% vs. the national average | Office rent and staff wages; the estimator applies your area's factor |
| Crown and buildup | Can double the total | Most back teeth need both after treatment |
| Sedation | Adds per visit | Local anesthetic is included; IV or nitrous sedation is billed separately |
Root canal cost by area
The same molar root canal costs roughly a quarter more in the most expensive metros than in low-cost states, because dental office rent and wages differ. The figures below apply each area's cost factor to the national fees; pick your own area in the estimator above.
| Area | Molar root canal, typical | With buildup + crown, range |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. national average | $1,500 | $2,300–$4,700 |
| Mississippi | $1,350 | $2,050–$4,250 |
| Ohio | $1,450 | $2,150–$4,500 |
| Texas: Houston | $1,500 | $2,300–$4,750 |
| Illinois: Chicago | $1,600 | $2,400–$5,000 |
| Florida: Miami | $1,600 | $2,450–$5,100 |
| New York: Manhattan | $1,700 | $2,550–$5,300 |
| California: San Jose (Santa Clara County) | $1,850 | $2,850–$5,850 |
Save the tooth or pull it: the full cost
Pulling a molar costs far less on the day, but replacing it later with an implant costs more than saving it. The comparison only holds if the tooth is restorable, which your dentist decides; the table puts the up-front prices side by side.
| Path | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Save it: root canal + buildup + crown | $2,300 | $3,350 | $4,700 |
| Pull it only (simple extraction) | $150 | $240 | $350 |
| Pull it and replace it: extraction, bone graft, implant, abutment, crown | $4,450 | $6,750 | $9,400 |
Leaving the gap empty has costs of its own that this table does not price. Price the replacement in detail with the single tooth implant cost page.
Questions to ask before you agree to a root canal quote
- Which procedure codes are included: the root canal, the core buildup, the crown, X-rays and the follow-up visit?
- Is the crown done by the same office, and is a temporary crown included?
- Will a general dentist or an endodontist treat the tooth, and is a referral fee involved?
- What happens to the price if the tooth has extra or blocked canals?
- Is there a discount for paying the full amount at the time of service?
Ways to pay less for a root canal
- Ask about a dental school clinic. Supervised students and residents do root canals for less; see dental school prices.
- Check a community health center. Many federally funded health centers offer dental care with fees that slide by income: sliding scale clinics.
- Get a written estimate with the procedure codes for the root canal, buildup and crown, so you can compare offices. Uninsured patients have a right to a good faith estimate for scheduled care.[7]
- Ask for a cash or prompt-pay discount, and spread the cost with an interest-free office plan rather than a deferred-interest card: compare them with the payment plan calculator.
- Use HSA or FSA money if you have it; root canals and crowns are eligible expenses (how much that saves).
Root canal or extraction?The American Association of Endodontists says saving the tooth is generally less expensive than pulling and replacing it. Pulling the tooth costs less today (see tooth extraction cost), but replacing it later with an implant costs far more than saving it; compare with the dental implants cost calculator. Which option is right depends on the tooth, so ask your dentist; this site compares prices only.[5]
Frequently asked questions
How much is a root canal without insurance?
About $800–$1,500 for a front tooth, $900–$1,700 for a premolar and $1,100–$2,100 for a molar at national self-pay prices, before the crown. With a buildup and an all-ceramic crown, a molar comes to roughly $2,300–$4,700.
Is root canal cost without insurance lower at a dental school?
Often. The ADA notes that dental school clinics may offer care at reduced rates, and licensed dentists supervise the students, so treatment usually takes more and longer visits.[8][9] See sliding scale dentists and dental schools.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
The tooth is restored with either a crown or a filling afterward.[5] Which one depends on how much tooth is left, so ask your dentist; molars are often crowned, so include a crown when you compare prices.
Can I go to the ER for a tooth that needs a root canal?
An emergency room can treat swelling, infection or pain, but it does not do root canals; you will still need a dentist afterward. If you have facial swelling with fever or trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the ER. See what an ER visit costs.
Sources
- Trends in Fees and Reimbursement Rates for the Most Common Procedures in Endodontics, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, and Oral Surgery
- Irreversible pulpitis in mature permanent teeth: a cost-effectiveness analysis of pulpotomy versus root canal treatment (fees from the 2020 ADA Survey of Dental Fees)
- MEPS HC-254B: 2024 Dental Visits public-use file
- Consumer Price Index, dental services, U.S. city average (series CUUR0000SEMC02)
- What is a Root Canal?
- Dental Care in Medicaid Programs (with data tables)
- Good faith estimate guide (No Surprises Act, uninsured and self-pay patients)
- Places to Look for Affordable Dental Care
- Finding Dental Care