Root Canal Cost in 2026: Prices by Tooth, With and Without Insurance

A root canal costs about $978 on average in the U.S., with most prices falling between $679 and $1,733 depending on the tooth, how complex the case is, and whether a general dentist or an endodontist does the work, according to a CareCredit cost study. Molars cost the most. Most teeth also need a crown afterward, which adds roughly $1,100 to $1,700.

If you're facing a root canal procedure and wondering what it will cost, you're not alone. Root canal pricing can feel hard to pin down until you're in the chair. This guide covers what root canal treatment typically costs in 2026, what drives the price up or down, what dental insurance usually pays, and how to plan for the bill.

How Much Does a Root Canal Cost in 2026?

Root canal treatment typically costs several hundred to well over a thousand dollars per tooth. Two widely cited sources give similar ranges for a single root canal, not including a crown:

• CareCredit's 2026 cost study: a national average cost of $978 (range $679 to $1,733). A front tooth averages $905 ($590 to $1,527), and a molar averages $1,220 ($833 to $2,171), according to CareCredit.
• DentalPlans.com's 2026 estimates: $700 to $1,100 for a front tooth, $800 to $1,300 for a premolar, and $1,000 to $1,600 for a molar, according to DentalPlans.com.

Add a dental crown, which most back teeth need after root canal therapy, and the combined cost of a root canal and crown typically runs $1,600 to $3,200 or more. Your actual bill depends on your tooth, your region, and your provider, so always ask your dentist or endodontist for a written estimate before treatment.

What Is a Root Canal?

A root canal, also called endodontic therapy, is a dental procedure that removes inflamed or infected tissue from inside a tooth, cleans and disinfects the canals in the tooth's root, then seals them with a filling material to save the natural tooth and restore normal tooth function.

Here's how the root canal procedure works:

• Your provider numbs the area with a local anesthetic, then makes a small opening in the top of the tooth to reach the dental pulp.
• The infected or damaged pulp is removed from the canals.
• The inside of the tooth is cleaned, shaped, and disinfected.
• The canals are filled with a filling material, usually gutta-percha, and a temporary filling closes the opening.
• At a follow-up appointment, the treated tooth gets its final restoration, most often a permanent crown, to protect it from becoming a fractured tooth.

According to the American Association of Endodontists, root canal treatment can usually be completed in one or two appointments. Dentists usually recommend a root canal over an extraction when the tooth can be saved, because keeping your natural tooth helps preserve your bite and keeps surrounding teeth from shifting. That's why a root canal is often called a tooth-saving procedure.

Main Factors That Affect Root Canal Cost

No two root canal quotes are identical. Several factors combine to set your final bill.

• Tooth type and number of canals. Front teeth usually have a single canal and are easier to reach. Molars have more canals and are harder to access, so they cost more.
• Treatment complexity. Infection severity, curved or narrow canals, an abscess, or root canal retreatment of a failed root canal all add time and cost.
• Provider type. General dentists and endodontists (root canal specialists) both perform root canals. Endodontists often charge more for their specialized training and equipment.
• Location. Dental fees vary by region. Practices in high-cost urban areas generally charge more than those in smaller towns.
• Additional procedures. X-rays or 3D scans, a post, a core buildup, and the crown itself are often billed separately.
• Timing. Emergency or after-hours appointments may cost more.
• Insurance. Whether you have dental insurance, whether your provider is in network, and your plan's coinsurance all shape what you pay.

Root Canal Cost by Tooth Type: Front Teeth, Premolars, and Molars

Tooth location is often the biggest driver of root canal cost, because different teeth have different anatomy, access difficulty, and numbers of canals.

• Front teeth (incisors and canines). $700 to $1,100 according to DentalPlans.com, with a $905 average in the CareCredit study. These teeth usually have one canal and are easy to reach.
• Premolars. $800 to $1,300 according to DentalPlans.com. Premolars may have one or two canals.
• Molars. $1,000 to $1,600 according to DentalPlans.com, with a $1,220 average in the CareCredit study. Molars have several canals and deeper roots, and they sit at the back of the mouth, so treatment takes longer.

Saving a back tooth matters for chewing, which is one reason dentists usually try to save a molar rather than remove it.

Root Canal and Crown Cost Together

The quoted root canal fee usually covers only cleaning, disinfecting, and sealing the canals. After a root canal, most teeth, especially molars, need a dental crown to prevent the tooth from cracking.

A dental crown is a cap placed over the treated tooth to restore its shape, strength, and biting surface. A crown often costs about $1,100 to $1,700, and a root canal plus crown typically totals $1,600 to $3,200 or more, according to DentalPlans.com. Crown material, tooth position, and lab fees all affect the price.

For example, using the DentalPlans.com ranges, a molar root canal at $1,300 plus a $1,400 crown comes to about $2,700, before any buildup, post, or X-rays. The crown is usually billed separately, and the two procedures may be done by different providers: an endodontist for the root canal and your general dentist for the crown.

What's Usually Included in a Root Canal Fee, and What Isn't

Understanding what's itemized helps you avoid surprise bills and compare quotes.

Usually included in the root canal fee:

• Local anesthesia
• The opening into the tooth
• Cleaning, shaping, and disinfecting the canals
• Sealing the canals
• A temporary filling
• X-rays taken during the procedure

Often billed separately:

• The initial exam and diagnostic imaging
• Emergency visit fees
• Sedation beyond local anesthesia
• A post and core buildup if much of the tooth is missing
• The dental crown

Policies vary by office, so ask for a written estimate that lists what's included before treatment begins.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canals?

Most dental insurance plans cover part of a root canal, but insurance coverage is rarely 100%. Coverage often ranges from about 50% to 80%, depending on whether your plan classifies root canals as basic or major restorative care, and out-of-pocket costs with insurance often fall around $200 to $900, according to DentalPlans.com.

How coverage generally works:

• You usually pay your plan's dental deductible first, then share the rest of the cost through coinsurance.
• Dental plans usually have an annual maximum benefit. A root canal and crown together can use up much of it.
• Some plans have a waiting period before major services are covered, so new enrollees may need to wait.
• Coverage is often lower if your provider is out of network. Our guide to in-network vs. out-of-network care explains why.
• Crowns may fall under a different benefit category with their own limits.

For example, if a plan covers 50% of a $1,400 molar root canal after a $100 deductible, you'd owe $750. This is an illustration, not a quote, so check your own plan documents. To see how coinsurance and deductibles work, see our guides.

Root Canal Cost Without Insurance

Without dental insurance, you pay out of pocket for the full fee. Using the DentalPlans.com ranges for the procedure alone:

• Front teeth: $700 to $1,100
• Premolars: $800 to $1,300
• Molars: $1,000 to $1,600

Adding a crown, buildup, and X-rays brings the total into the low thousands. For uninsured patients, it's worth comparing quotes, but weigh experience and quality alongside price.

Lower-cost options to ask about include in-house membership plans at your dental office, dental school clinics, and community health centers that offer dental care.

Using an HSA or FSA for Dental Costs

Health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) let you pay for qualified medical expenses with pre-tax dollars. IRS Publication 502 includes amounts paid for the prevention and alleviation of dental disease as medical expenses. Check with your plan administrator about your specific account rules.

An HSA is available to people enrolled in an HSA-qualified high-deductible health plan, and unused money rolls over from year to year. Most health FSAs are use-it-or-lose-it, though some plans allow a limited carryover or a grace period. For more, see our guides to using an HSA for dental care and the differences between HSAs and FSAs.

Is a Root Canal Worth It? Root Canal vs. Tooth Extraction

Most patients who face a root canal ask whether it's cheaper to pull the tooth. Upfront, a tooth extraction usually costs less than a root canal, but the comparison isn't that simple.

• Missing teeth cause other problems. A gap can let nearby teeth shift and change your bite.
• Replacing a tooth adds cost. Replacing an extracted tooth with a dental implant or bridge usually costs more than a root canal and crown, and an implant involves surgery and a longer healing time.
• Limited alternatives. In very early cases, a dentist may be able to treat the pulp without a full root canal, but this only works in narrow situations.

A dental professional can explain the options for your tooth and build a treatment plan after a dental exam and X-rays.

Signs of an Infected Tooth That May Need a Root Canal

Spotting warning signs early can help you get care before treatment becomes more complex and expensive. Watch for:

• Severe tooth pain or a throbbing toothache
• Pain when biting or chewing
• Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
• Swollen or tender gums near a tooth
• A small bump on the gum near the tooth
• A darkened or discolored tooth

An untreated infected tooth can lead to an abscess, bone loss, and eventually tooth loss if a tooth that could have been saved has to be removed. Regular dental checkups help catch problems early, when treatment is simpler. If you have tooth pain with fever, facial swelling, or trouble swallowing, get urgent dental or medical care the same day.

Paying for a Root Canal

Root canals are often time-sensitive, but many dental practices offer ways to spread out payments.

• In-office payment plans. Many offices split the root canal and crown into monthly payments.
• Third-party financing. Health care credit cards and installment loans are available. Read the interest rate and terms carefully.
• Membership plans. Some offices offer annual membership plans that include cleanings and exams plus discounts on other procedures.
• Ask for an all-in quote. Request a single estimate that covers everything through the final crown, so you can budget for the total cost. Many offices can then split that amount into manageable monthly payments.