How Much Does a Root Canal Cost, What It Is, How It Works and More

The term “root canal" is often associated with pain or bad dental experiences. But the reality is that endodontic therapy is one of the most effective treatments used to save a patient's natural tooth and is typically the recommended treatment for a tooth that has significant infection or decay. Without a root canal procedure, the gum tissue and bone around the tooth can become further infected and possibly result in serious medical complications.

What Is a Root Canal?

The nerve in a tooth is located in an area in the tooth called the pulp chamber with branches or canals fanning out into the roots of the tooth, and is made up of nerves, connective tissue and blood vessels that support the tooth as it grows. During root canal treatment, the diseased pulp and nerve tissue are removed, and the interior of the pulp chamber is cleaned, medicated and sealed. A dental crown is often placed on the tooth to protect and strengthen it.

How Much Does a Root Canal Cost?

Root canal costs will vary based on the complexity of the procedure. Many dental insurance policies will cover at least part of endodontic procedures (usually 30 to 50 percent).¹

A rough estimate of the cost for a root canal procedure (excluding dental restoration following the procedure) performed by a general dentist are:²

Fees will vary based on which tooth is affected, your geographic location, and who performs the procedure. Fees for root canals performed by an endodontist, for example, may be as much as 50% higher.

A root canal might sometimes be performed under emergency circumstances if the tooth has become infected and there's a risk of the infection spreading to the face or neck. Depending on the complexity of the infection and the location of the tooth, emergency root canal may cost anywhere from $500 to $1,800.²

Who Does a Root Canal?

Root canal treatment is performed by a general dentist or an endodontist — a dentist who specializes in the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of a tooth's nerve structure, called dental pulp.

Why You May Need a Root Canal

Root canal procedures can address several issues that have ultimately compromised a tooth's health and function.

Patients who have experienced tooth trauma or injuries, broken teeth, deep cavities or other decay are more likely to require this dental procedure. The following symptoms may indicate that you need a root canal:

• Lingering tooth sensitivity, especially to heat or cold for more than 30 seconds.
• Sharp pain when chewing or biting
• Raised bumps on the gums
• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Swollen or painful gums
• Deep decay or darkened gums
• Tooth infection
• Widespread tooth decay (cavities that have grown and spread)
• Repeated dental procedures
• Large fillings or a faulty crown
• Severe damage to the tooth structure due to physical injury
• Mild to severe toothache
• Intense pain when biting down
• Discoloration of tooth enamel
• Tooth or gum abscess
• Swollen, irritated, red or bleeding gums

A tooth's damaged nerve tissue will begin to break down and produce bacteria in the pulp chamber, causing an infection or abscess, which can spread past the root ends of a tooth. An infection in the root canal can also cause the following symptoms:

• Swelling that spreads to the face, neck or head. This would require immediate medical attention by an oral surgeon or ER doctor.
• Bone loss around the root and into the jaw.
• Drainage problems into the gums or through the cheek and into the skin.

How a Root Canal Procedure Works

A root canal is performed in your dentist's or endodontist's office. A root canal procedure typically lasts about 60 to 90 minutes, though more complex procedures can last 90 minutes or more. The procedure usually requires one to two visits. Most root canal procedures will involve the following seven steps:

1. Dental X-rays and anesthetic

Your dental professional will likely take X-rays to determine if the bone or tissue surrounding the tooth has become infected. A root canal is usually painless as a numbing agent is first applied to the area, and then a local anesthetic is injected into the gums around the infected tooth.

2. Placement of a dental dam

A rubber dental dam is usually placed around the tooth to keep it dry from saliva. The rubber dam serves as a safety device to prevent any instrumentation from falling into the patient's throat.

3. Removal of dental pulp

A hole is drilled into the tooth, and the diseased pulp (the living tissue in the center of the tooth), bacteria and decayed nerve tissue is removed.

4. Cleaning and shaping of tooth cavity

The area is cleaned and shaped using root canal files and rinsed using water and sodium hypochlorite solution.

5. Capping the tooth

Once the area is cleaned, the tooth may be filled with a temporary filling to keep saliva and food out before the next appointment.

6. Filling the tooth

A sealant compound called "gutta percha" is used to fill the root canal inside the tooth. The access hole created at the beginning of treatment will then be closed off with a filling. If there is an infection or abscess, your dentist may apply medication and/or prescribe antibiotics and wait a week before sealing it. Some dentists may choose to fill and seal the tooth on the same day.

7. Permanent filling and crown placement

The final step may involve further restoration of the tooth. Root canals are often performed on a tooth that has a large filling or extensive decay requiring further treatment to prevent future damage. You may need a crown, crown and post or other restoration for full function.

Different Types of Root Canals

Traditional or non-surgical root canal

This is the most common root canal procedure in which the decayed dental pulp and nerves are removed, the cavity is cleaned and the tooth is sealed with a filling material.

Apicoectomy

When a traditional root canal has been unsuccessful, an apicoectomy, or microsurgical root canal, is performed. The inflammation or infection may still be present in the tooth or alveolar (jaw) bone. Local anesthesia is used, the tip of the tooth's root is removed and the canal is sealed with a filling material.

Pulpotomy or pulpectomy

These are procedures done on baby teeth to save a child's natural tooth. A pulpotomy removes only the affected tooth pulp, leaving the healthy tooth pulp in the child's tooth roots. A pulpectomy removes all of the pulp and replaces it with filler material.

Root Canal Recovery

After a root canal procedure, the mouth may feel numb for several hours. Most patients return to normal activities the same day, but may want to wait to eat until the numbness subsides.

Patients may feel a soreness or sensitivity around the affected tooth for several days, particularly if there was pain due to infected tissue prior to the procedure. Pain can be addressed with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or naproxen.

Patients may want to avoid chewing with the affected tooth until the procedure has been fully completed with a permanent filling or crown, and should keep the area clean with regular brushing, flossing and an antiseptic mouthwash. Root canals have a 95% success rate at saving the infected tooth and can last a lifetime.

Financing Root Canals With the CareCredit Credit Card

Whether you're getting a root canal or you're simply paying for a dental exam, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist or oral surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit. Use the CareCredit credit card, again and again, to pay for your health and wellness wants and needs, and download the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to dental care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for pet care, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Expert Reviewer

Dr. Jorge Oaxaca, D.D.S.

Dr. Jorge Oaxaca is a partner and owner of Oaxaca, Ong & Jensen Seal Beach DDS, located in Seal Beach, California. He has a holistic approach to dentistry and a passion for technology which has led him to practice progressive, cutting-edge computerized dentistry in his office to better serve his patients.

Featured Video Care Expert

Dr. Kellen Mori, D.D.S.

Dr. Kellen Mori is a native of Brazil and has been practicing dentistry for 32 years. She practices in Beverly Hills, California, at the Bedford Dental Group, specializing in compassionate dental techniques, dental implants and has an eye for aesthetic perfection when it comes to dentistry. She is licensed to practice dentistry in both New York and California.

Author Bio

Anne-Marie Kennedy is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, personal finance and real estate/investing.