Root canal treatment: How much does endodontic therapy cost?

Here's a very "ballpark" estimate of the price that you might pay to have root canal treatment performed by a general dentist.

Root canal treatment for a front tooth (incisor).         $360.00 - $700.00 Root canal treatment for a back tooth (molar).         $600.00 - $910.00

Dentists typically base their root canal fees on the number of individual root canals found in the tooth. Front teeth (incisors) commonly just have one root canal while molars usually have three or more. Those teeth that lie between the incisors and molars vary by the fact that they typically have either one or two root canals.

The figures shown here come from an unscientific survey of fees in our area. Our sources are: the web, dentists, dental literature, and information received from dental insurance companies. Based on ACCRA's Cost of Living Index, we have extrapolated our regional data into the nationwide average fee range estimate shown above. Even in the same area the fee charged by dentists for a specific procedure can vary significantly, easily by as much as 30%.

We anticipate that the lower end of this range would be representative of an average fee found in a small rural town (whose ACCRA Cost of Living Index is approximately 85). The higher end of this range would be more representative of the average fee found in a large metropolitan area on either coast (whose ACCRA Cost of Living Index is around 125). [Check the Cost of Living Index for your area at Yahoo Real Estate. Clicking this link will open a new browser window.]

B) Root canal fees charged by endodontists.

You can expect that the fee charged for root canal treatment performed by an endodontist will be greater than that fee charged by a general dentist. Endodontists typically treat the most difficult cases and their fee reflects a premium based on the high level of skill and expertise they have to offer. An endodontist's fee could easily be 30% to 50% greater than the average fee charged in your area by a general dentist.

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Root canal treatment, general dentists, and endodontists.

While all dentists receive training in performing root canal treatment in dental school, in the field of dentistry there are root canal specialists. This type of dentist, termed an "endodontist," limits their practice activities to just providing root canal treatment. To become an endodontist a dentist must complete additional years of training after finishing dental school.

Who should perform your root canal treatment, an endodontist or your regular dentist?

The answer to this question most likely lies in how much expertise your dentist anticipates is needed for the successful treatment of your tooth. Different teeth will pose different challenges to a dentist. As an example, it is usually easier for a dentist to perform root canal treatment on front teeth rather than on back teeth. Any tooth, however, has the potential for having its own set of characteristics that makes it a challenge for a dentist to successfully treat, and in these cases your dentist may feel that it is best that an endodontist performs your root canal treatment.

There can be situations where your dentist may feel that the services of an endodontist are required simply to determine what treatment it is that you need. The sources of some dental symptoms are not easily identified and they may require the knowledge and experience of an endodontist to locate them.

There is usually a premium attached to the level of expertise an endodontist can provide. Often an endodontist's fee will be higher than that of your regular dentist, but when their level of skill and knowledge is needed it is well worth the expense. In some parts of the country you may find that an endodontist is not conveniently at hand and seeking the services of one may require a trip to a neighboring city.

Let your dentist decide who should perform your root canal treatment.

In many, and possibly most situations, your dentist may feel that they are more than capable of providing the treatment that your tooth requires. This type of situation is nice because it means that your root canal treatment can be performed in an office with which you are familiar, by a dentist you know. The fee your dentist charges for the root canal treatment will probably be less than if you required the services of an endodontist. Additionally, since your dentist knows you, you might find that they are more accommodating with scheduling, billing, and insurance considerations than an endodontist's office would be.