Root Canal And Crown Cost- Ultimate Guide You Need To Know

When you have a severe toothache, a root canal can help treat the infected or decaying tooth. It can be an expensive as well as a painful ordeal, which is why many patients avoid or delay treatment. However, it can lead to more serious dental infections if ignored for too long. 

Without insurance, most Americans pay $600 to $2000+ for root canal treatment. However, with a good dental insurance plan, the root canal cost can be as low as $200-$300.

The cost of a root canal depends on various factors, such as which tooth is affected, the extent of decay, the dentist’s fee, etc. Read this blog to find out how much a root canal and crown cost (with and without insurance) and discover viable payment options to afford it.

How Much Does A Root Canal Cost: An Overview

Here is a breakdown of the overall costs of a root canal treatment and the associated expenses to help you plan your finances: 

**Please note that these are average costs and can vary based on location and other factors.

Factors	Approximate Costs Before	Approximate Costs After
Consultation fee	$50 to $200	-
Root Canal cost	$400 to $2,500+  (varies depending on complexity)	-
Anesthesia costs	$200 to $600	-
Fillings	$100 to $250	-
Dental crown (if needed)	Can be charged before or after, as per clinic’s policies	$500 to $1,500+
Lab tests, X-rays, and other tests	$200	$25 to $100
Follow up consultation fee	-	$50 to $100
Additional costs: Emergency services fee Medications	$100-$250 $10-$50	-

Root Canal Cost Based On The Type Of Tooth Affected

According to a 2023 Forbes Health article, the average root canal cost is as follows: Front Teeth (Anterior): $620 to $1,100  Premolar Teeth (Bicuspids): $705 to $1,250  Molar Teeth (Back Teeth): $870 to $1,472

Root canals for wisdom teeth can cost $220 to over $600 (per tooth). Furthermore, in a more complex or severe case, the root canal and crown cost can range from $2,000 to $2,500+ without insurance. Additionally, other factors, such as your geolocation (i.e., city or town) or additional treatment needs, can also influence the cost.

Root Canal Cost Breakdown By Geographical Location

The cost of root canal treatment can vary significantly based on where you get it done. Here’s a breakdown of the average root canal cost (per tooth) in different cities.

City	Front Teeth	Bicuspids	Molar Teeth
Birmingham, AL	$400–$600	$500–$700	$650–$850
Costa Mesa, CA	$600–$900	$700–$1,000	$1,000–$1,400
Portland, OR	$460–$630	$550–$750	$750–$950
Seattle, WA	$500–$670	$600–$800	$800-$1,000
Boise, ID	$450– $600	$500– $720	$680–$900
Tucson, AZ	$500–$700	$700–$1,000	$1,000–$1,400
Las Vegas, NV	$700–$1,100	$750–$1,300	$900–$1,700
Albuquerque, NM	$400–$600	$500– $720	$650–$900
Salt Lake, UT	$600–$800	$700–$900	$1,000–$1,300
Colorado Springs, CO	$700–$900	$800–$950	$1,000–$1,200
New York City, NY	$700–$1,100	$800–$1,200	$1,200–$1,800
Plano, TX	$300–$1,000	$400–$1,800	$500–$2,000
Billings, MT	$400–$600	$520–$700	$660–$900
Oklahoma City, OK	$400– $520	$450–$650	$600–$800
Kansas City, MO	$500–$900	$600—$1,100	$700–$1,250
Wichita, KS	$400–$550	$500–$650	$600–$820
Lincoln, NE	$400–$520	$450–$620	$580– $780
Sioux Falls, SD	$410– $550	$500– $660	$620– $850
Fargo, ND	$420–$580	$510–$690	$650–$880
Des Moines, IA	$420– $570	$510– $680	$640–$850
Alexandria, LO	$390– $550	$480– $650	$610– $800
Pittsburgh, PA	$470– $650	$570–$760	$720– $950
Little Rock, AR	$400–$510	$600–$900	$1,000-$1,400
Milwaukee, WI	$450– $610	$550– $730	$700– $920
Minneapolis, MN	$430–$590	$530– $700	$670– $880
Indianapolis, IN	$410– $550	$490– $660	$620– $830
Westerville, OH	$425–$580	$510–$690	$650– $860
Louisville, KY	$400–$550	$490–$650	$620–$820
Saint Clair County, MI	$620–$1,100	$720–$1,300	$890–$1,500
Jackson, MS	$410– $560	$500– $660	$630–$830
Nashville, TN	$400– $550	$490– $650	$620– $820
Atlanta, GA	$430– $580	$520– $690	$660– $860
Charleston, WV	$430– $580	$520– $700	$660– $870
Philadelphia, PA	$540– $750	$650– $880	$830– $1100
Portland, ME	$460–$620	$550–$740	$700–$950
Newark, NJ	$800– $1100	$960–$1280	$1200–$1600
Wilmington, DE	$470–$650	$570–$770	$730–$960
Manchester, NH	$450– $620	$550–$740	$700–$930
Wilmington, NC	$440–$600	$530–$850	$670–$900
Columbia, SC	$420–$570	$500–$670	$650– $850
Chicago, IL	$450–$620	$550–$750	$700–$950
Boston, MA	$600–$850	$740–$990	$950– $1,250
Anchorage, AK	$500–$750	$650–$870	$820–$1,100
Washington, DC	$540–$730	$650–$900	$800– $1,090

It is crucial to note that these are the estimated root canal prices (updated in December 2023), and do not include associated costs such as dental crowns, X-rays, pre-and post-op tests, etc. Moreover, complex root canal cases can cost much more, i.e., from $2,000 to $3,000+ on average. Hence, it is best to consult with a professional dental specialist to get a personalized cost estimate. 

Other Associated Expenses That Can Affect Root Canal Cost

The final cost of root canal treatment may also involve additional expenses, such as:

A) Fillings: Patients may need fillings depending on the type of tooth damage. So, the type of material used also adds to the root canal cost. On average, silver amalgam fillings cost around $100-$200, and resin-based composite fillings can cost around $130–$250 per tooth.

B) Tooth Extraction: Patients with severe tooth decay or a dental injury may require tooth extraction and replacement. The extraction generally costs from $130 to over $250 per tooth. However, wisdom tooth extraction may cost something around $200–$600 for a simple procedure and over $1,000 for a complex procedure.

C)  Dental Crown: In some cases of severe tooth damage or a cracked tooth, patients may require a crown installation following the root canal treatment, which can be pretty expensive. Here are the popular types of dental crowns and their estimated average cost:

• Temporary Dental Crown: $450 to $750 per tooth
• Ceramic And Porcelain Dental Crown:  $800 to $1,500 per tooth
• Porcelain And Zirconia Crown: $850 to $1,850 per tooth
• Porcelain Fused Metal Crown: $1,200 and $1,400 per tooth
• Composite Crown (Gold or Alloy Mix): $1,000-$2,500 per tooth

How Much Does A Root Canal Cost With Insurance?

Dental insurance typically covers 40 to 80 percent of the total cost of a root canal. Hence, if you have a high-deductible plan, you may incur lower out-of-pocket costs, i.e., $200 to $450. However, if you don’t have any dental coverage, you may want to explore alternative options, such as flexible payment plans, to pay off the dental bill conveniently.

How To Pay For Root Canal Treatment Without Insurance?

1. Flexible Payment Plans

Many dental clinics use platforms like Credee to offer payment plans with affordable monthly installments, so you don’t have to pay all at once. Moreover, Credee’s ‘No Credit Check’ payment options are ideal for those who cannot get medical financing and lack insurance coverage. These allow patients to get the required treatments immediately without delays, as the approval rates are usually much higher than those of traditional lenders.

2. CareCredit

It’s a type of medical credit card that can help you pay for a wide range of dental treatments, including root canals. To qualify, you need a good credit score (i.e., 640 or better) and also meet the other financial requirements. If approved, you can enjoy the benefits of instant financing, similar to normal credit cards, except you can only use it to pay for medical treatments.

3. FSA or HSA

If you are eligible for an employer-provided health plan with dental coverage, then you can use the money from your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay. 

Final Thoughts

A root canal can be an expensive procedure, especially if you don’t have dental insurance. However, for those with limited or no insurance coverage, several other options help manage the cost. For instance, many dentists use platforms like Credee to offer flexible payment plans to their patients.

It is ideal for patients who cannot pay the full cost at once due to a lack of insurance and want to pay in affordable monthly installments. Credee stands out as the best option with its ‘No Credit Check’ policy and higher approval rate than traditional lenders. 

So, it is best to find an affiliated provider who can meet both your financial and treatment needs with custom payment options.

Navigating Root Canal Costs: Your Top Questions Answered

1. How Much Is Root Canal With Insurance?

It depends on the extent of coverage. A high-deductible plan may cover the full cost of the root canal. However, typically, insurance covers anywhere from half to 80 percent of the cost, lowering out-of-pocket costs from $200 to less than $600.

2. How Much Does A Root Canal Cost Without Insurance Coverage?

The cost of a root canal and crown without insurance generally ranges from $600 to over $2000+. However, if you also require additional treatments, such as a tooth replacement or crown installation, it can cost more. For instance, dental implants may cost $1500 to over $2000; abutment installation usually costs around $300; and a dental crown costs around $1000 to $3000. In this case, the average total cost can be somewhere between $2400 to $7000+. 

3. What’s The Best Way To Pay For Root Canal Treatment Out-Of-Pocket?

Flexible payment plans are emerging as the best way to pay for dental treatments. These allow patients to make monthly payments that fit their budget. Moreover, as almost 37% of patients have medical debt, most people nowadays prefer dental payment plans to credit cards or medical loans.  

These are the most commonly asked questions concerning root canal treatment, cost, affordability, and available financing options.