How Much Does a Root Canal Cost in 2026?
A root canal costs $800-$2,000 depending on tooth position. Front teeth are at the low end; molars with complex root anatomy hit the high end.
What’s included in root canal cost
Root canal treatment is typically completed in one to two appointments, depending on severity. The procedure fee covers everything needed to complete the endodontic treatment itself, but the restorative work that follows is billed separately.
Included in the root canal fee: diagnostic X-rays (periapical films), local anesthesia, access opening through the crown of the tooth, canal length determination using electronic apex locators, mechanical cleaning and shaping of all root canals using rotary nickel-titanium files, antimicrobial irrigation with sodium hypochlorite, canal filling with gutta-percha and sealer, and a temporary or bonded coronal filling to seal the access. Post-operative X-rays and a 6-month check film are standard.
Excluded from the root canal fee: the dental crown placed afterward (a separate restorative procedure billed by your general dentist or restorative dentist), any post and core buildup if substantial tooth structure is missing ($200-$400), the consultation visit if billed separately, and prescription antibiotics or pain medication.
Most endodontist practices request a referral from your general dentist but will see emergency patients directly. After the root canal, you return to your general dentist for the crown, creating two separate provider relationships and two separate insurance claims.
When you’ll pay more than average
The $1,300 average covers a molar root canal at a general dentist or endodontist with no unusual complications. Several situations push the cost meaningfully higher.
Retreatment cases — performing a root canal on a tooth that already had one — are consistently more expensive, running 30-50% above the initial treatment fee. The prior filling material must be removed, canals may be difficult to negotiate, and the risk of procedural complications is higher. Not all endodontists accept retreatment cases; some prefer to refer them to endodontists with specific retreatment expertise.
Calcified canals, common in older patients, require additional instrumentation time and carry a higher risk of file separation. When preoperative X-rays suggest calcification, expect the fee to be quoted at the higher end of the molar range or with an explicit complexity surcharge.
Emergency appointment fees ($50-$150) apply when you call with acute pain and need to be seen the same day. Endodontic emergencies are common and most practices accommodate them, but the urgency carries a premium.
When you’ll pay less
Front-tooth and premolar root canals at general dentists sit at the low end of the cost range, $800-$1,100, because these teeth have fewer and simpler canals. If your general dentist determines the tooth is within their skill set, accepting the referral to an endodontist is optional — ask directly whether they perform this procedure.
Dental schools complete root canals at 40-60% below private practice rates under faculty supervision. Cases take longer — expect 2-3 appointments instead of 1-2 — and require more patience, but the clinical outcome is comparable. For scheduled (non-emergency) root canals where cost is the primary concern, dental schools are the best access point.
This page is informational and is not medical advice. Consult a licensed dentist or endodontist for advice on your specific situation.
Cost Factors
- Tooth position
- Front incisors and canines have one or two roots and cost $800-$1,200. Premolars run $1,000-$1,500. Molars have three or four roots with the most complex canal anatomy, costing $1,300-$2,000 for difficult cases.
- Case complexity
- Curved, calcified, or previously treated canals require more time and specialized instruments, adding $200-$600 to the base fee. Retreatment on a tooth that had a prior root canal runs 30-50% more than an initial treatment on the same tooth.
- Endodontist vs. general dentist
- General dentists perform root canals on anterior and premolar teeth at the low end of the range. Endodontists (root canal specialists) charge 20-40% more but have operating microscopes, rotary instrumentation, and better documented outcomes for complex molar cases. Most general dentists refer molar root canals to endodontists.
- Crown required afterward
- A root canal removes the pulp and leaves the tooth structurally weakened. Most treated back teeth require a full crown within 3-6 months, adding $800-$2,500 to total tooth restoration cost. Front teeth sometimes tolerate a bonded filling instead of a full crown, which costs less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a root canal hurt?
Modern local anesthesia makes the procedure itself nearly painless for most patients. The reputation for pain comes from the infection that precedes treatment, not from the treatment itself. Expect soreness and mild inflammation for 2-5 days after the procedure; over-the-counter ibuprofen manages this well for most patients. Teeth with active severe infection sometimes require antibiotics first to reduce inflammation before anesthesia is fully effective.
How often do root canals fail?
Initial root canals have a clinical success rate of roughly 85-95% at 10 years. Failure typically appears as persistent infection or continued pain. Retreatment cases succeed at 75-85%. The next option after retreatment failure is apicoectomy (minor surgery on the root tip, $900-$1,500) or extraction followed by implant or bridge.
Is extraction cheaper than a root canal in the long run?
Extracting the tooth costs $150-$400, less than a root canal upfront. However, a missing back tooth typically leads to bone loss and shifting of adjacent teeth within 1-3 years. Replacing it with an implant ($3,500-$6,000) or bridge ($2,500-$6,000) makes the lifetime cost of extraction substantially higher than saving the tooth. Only molars in the very back with no opposing tooth have a case for extraction without replacement.
Last updated 2026-05-24.