Most of us take our teeth for granted until they start to hurt. Once a toothache begins, it can be distracting at best and debilitating at worst. When your toothache doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medication, you may be left wondering how you’ll focus on work, get to sleep, and get the pain to go away.
The first step in treating a painful tooth should always be to call a dentist. Unfortunately, many people avoid doing this out of fear the dentist will recommend a root canal. Root canals are standard, routine oral procedures that have gotten a bad rap for a variety of reasons, but with constant advancements in dental technology and techniques, root canals have never been easier, faster, or less painful to perform, all with a very low rate of complications.Â
Root canals are often more than a recommendation–they’re necessary to protect your oral health and your overall health. This often leads patients to a second barrier to care: how they’re going to pay for a root canal.Â
Root canals are necessary in instances where the tissues, nerves, and blood vessels inside the tooth–called the dental pulp–have become infected and can’t be treated with a filling like a small cavity can. During the procedure, the dentist drills a hole into the affected tooth, cleans out the inside of all infected tissue, and fills the tooth with a material called gutta percha, which is strong and acts like natural tooth material.
While not all toothaches will require a root canal, a root canal is typically the only option for a tooth with infected dental pulp, because an infected tooth will not heal. If left untreated, the infection in the pulp will create an abscess, or pus pocket, that will eventually erode and compromise the tooth roots, making the tooth less stable and more challenging to save. Without the root canal, the bacteria from the infection will also spread to other tissues in the gum and mouth as well as the jaw bone, blood, or even the brain, leading to tooth loss, bone deterioration, or more serious health concerns.
Anyone might need a root canal—even children who haven’t grown in their adult teeth yet—but this procedure is most commonly done on people between the ages of 33 to 44.
The type of tooth needing treatment: Front teeth (like incisors and canines) and bicuspids are typically easier to access and have fewer roots, so they cost less—usually between $700 and $1,200 without insurance. Molars, however, can be more complex to treat due to their larger root structures, which pushes the cost up to $1,000–$2,000.
The kind of crown you choose: After the root canal, your dentist will recommend a crown to seal and protect the tooth. Crowns come in a range of materials, with some more affordable options for teeth that are less visible, like back molars. For teeth that show when you smile, you might prefer a more aesthetic (and potentially pricier) crown.
The severity of the infection: Catching an infection early can save you both time and money. The longer you wait, the more complicated and expensive the procedure can become.
Pre- and post-procedure costs: The total cost usually includes not just the root canal itself, but also consultation fees, X-rays, anesthesia, and other steps needed to fully treat the infection and restore your tooth.
Most dental insurance plans will cover part of your root canal costs, but it’s important to know what to expect. A lot of insurance plans cover 50-80% of the procedure after you’ve met your deductible. This means your out-of-pocket expenses might range from $200 to $1,000 depending on factors like which tooth is treated and the specifics of your insurance plan.
Even if insurance doesn’t cover everything, the cost of the procedure is still far less than the price of losing the tooth altogether. Many dental offices, including Dental Depot, offer financing plans to make your care more affordable.
If you don’t have dental insurance, you’re not alone, and most dental offices understand the importance of making necessary treatments accessible. On average, root canals cost around $1,000 without insurance, though the price can be higher for molars.
Many dental offices are willing to work with you to set up payment plans or offer financing options. At Dental Depot in DFW, for instance, we’re CareCredit certified and offer a variety of payment options to help you manage the cost. We believe everyone deserves the care they need, regardless of their financial situation.
Ultimately, the cost of not getting a root canal can be far greater than the price of the procedure, because without it, you could be looking at more extensive care and procedures in the future, including more infection, tooth extraction, dental implants, or serious health concerns. At Dental Depot in DFW, we believe in offering quality, comprehensive dental services like root canal procedures at a commonsense price. Although we accept most major dental insurance plans, we are also more than happy to work with patients without insurance and in any financial situation. We are CareCredit certified and offer a variety of financing and payment plans to help you afford the root canal treatment you need.
If you think you may need a root canal, don’t delay seeking treatment because of cost. With root canal specialists on staff, and dental clinics in: Arlington, McKinney, Aubrey, Highland Village, Lewisville, The Colony and Dallas, Dental Depot is here for all your dental needs.
Dr. Kana is dedicated in providing the highest level of care. He and the staff are committed to education and expanding knowledge. He has completed over 1,000 hours of continuing education. Dr. Kana hopes that being accessible to all of his patients, strong community feel and values, and strong patient/customer service is what will help our practice and community grow.
