Root Canal Cost Calculator

Without insurance, the root canal fee itself typically runs $700-$1,100 for a front tooth (average about $900), $800-$1,300 for a bicuspid (average about $1,050), and $1,000-$1,500 for a molar (average about $1,250) at a general dentist in an average-cost area. An endodontist typically charges more; at the default 20 percent specialist premium a molar root canal averages about $1,500. These figures cover the endodontic treatment only - the crown or filling that usually follows is billed separately.

A front tooth has a single straight canal and is easy to reach, so treatment is usually finished in one shorter visit. A molar has three or four canals, is harder to access, and takes considerably more chair time and precision, which is why the national average rises from about $900 for a front tooth to about $1,250 for a molar. On your written estimate the procedures appear under ADA codes D3310 (front), D3320 (bicuspid) and D3330 (molar).

Endodontists typically charge roughly 10 to 30 percent more than a general dentist for the same tooth; this calculator defaults to a 20 percent premium, which you can adjust. At that default, a molar root canal costs about $1,500 with an endodontist versus about $1,250 with a general dentist - a difference of about $250. Complex molars and retreatments are the cases most often referred to a specialist.

Most dental PPO plans treat a root canal as basic or major restorative care and cover roughly 50 to 80 percent of the fee after your deductible, up to your annual maximum. Example from the calculator: a molar root canal at an endodontist costing $1,500, billed in-network at a negotiated $1,125 with the deductible already met and 80 percent coverage, leaves the insurer paying $900 and you paying $225 out of pocket. At 50 percent coverage the same case would cost you about $562. Staying in-network lowers your share because you pay a percentage of the discounted fee, not the full fee.

No. The root canal fee covers the endodontic treatment itself - diagnosis, anesthesia, cleaning and sealing the canals. The final restoration is billed separately: a permanent filling runs roughly a few hundred dollars, while a crown typically runs $1,000 to $1,600 for all-ceramic, depending on material and region. Molars almost always need a crown afterward because they take the highest biting forces; front teeth can sometimes be restored with a filling alone. A quote that looks unusually low is usually the root canal only, before the restoration.

Redoing a root canal that did not heal properly costs more than the first treatment - this calculator models it at about 22.5 percent more, which puts a molar retreatment at a general dentist at about $1,531 versus about $1,250 for the initial treatment. Retreatments are also more likely to need a crown afterward, so budget the restoration line item too.

Almost always. The calculator compares a molar root canal at an endodontist ($1,500) against extraction ($300) plus a single implant all-in (about $4,500, or $4,800 total for the replacement path). The root canal path saves about $3,300 - the extraction-plus-implant path costs about 3.2 times as much. Even adding a ceramic crown ($2,800 total) the root canal path still saves about $2,000. Saving a restorable natural tooth is usually the less expensive route.

A root canal is endodontic treatment that removes infected pulp from inside your natural tooth to save it. A crown is a cap placed over a tooth - often the same tooth after its root canal - to protect and restore it. An implant is a surgical replacement for a tooth that is already gone or extracted. They answer different questions: this calculator prices the root canal itself, with an optional crown add-on; implant pricing belongs to implant cost estimators.

Many general dentists perform straightforward root canals in-house, especially single-canal front teeth. Molars, retreatments, calcified or severely curved canals, and unclear diagnoses are the cases most often referred to an endodontist, who does root canals exclusively. The specialist premium is real, but a redo also costs real money - this is a cost-versus-complexity judgment to make with your dentist, not a one-size rule.

Compare written estimates that list ADA codes so you compare the same procedure; choose an in-network provider if you have a PPO; ask whether a filling can substitute for a crown on a front tooth; check dental schools, which often charge substantially less under supervision; ask about payment plans and cash-pay discounts; and get any pre-treatment estimate in writing before scheduling so the restoration line item does not surprise you.

A front tooth is usually completed in one visit of 30 to 60 minutes. Bicuspids typically take one to two visits of 45 to 90 minutes each. Molars usually take one to two visits of 60 to 120 minutes each. The final restoration - filling or crown - is normally a separate appointment.

These are the standard procedure codes for root canal therapy: D3310 is a root canal on a front (anterior) tooth, D3320 is a root canal on a bicuspid (premolar), and D3330 is a root canal on a molar. Asking every office to quote by code lets you compare estimates apples-to-apples instead of comparing differently bundled quotes.