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Root canal treatment is often essential – and expensive. With typical costs ranging from $800 to over $2,000, many adults face a financial burden even if they have dental insurance. This guide explains how both dental savings plans and dental insurance reduces the cost of a root canal treatment. It further offers real-world cost examples and helps you decide which option – or combination – makes the most sense for your health and budget requirements.
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a dental procedure designed to treat infection at the center of a tooth. This procedure becomes necessary when the pulp, a soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue, becomes inflamed or infected. Inflammation or infection can occur due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, large fillings, or cracks and chips in the tooth. Sometimes, even trauma to the face can result in damage to the pulp, necessitating a root canal.
Root Canal Costs
The cost of a root canal procedure can vary depending on several factors, including the location of the affected tooth, the complexity of the procedure, and the region where you’re receiving care. As noted above, on average, the price for a root canal ranges between $800 and $2,000 without insurance coverage. This cost includes the dental procedure itself, which involves removing the infected pulp inside the tooth, cleaning the root canal, and sealing it to prevent further infection.
The type of tooth requiring treatment significantly affects the overall cost. For example:
Front Teeth (Incisors and Canines): These teeth are typically easier to access and have a simpler root structure, making the cost lower – typically around $700 to $1,000.
Premolars and Molars: Root canals for these teeth can be more complex due to their multiple roots and canals. The price can range from $900 to $1,500.
It’s important to note that additional costs may arise if a dental crown or other restorative procedures are needed after the root canal treatment.
How Dental Insurance Plans Handle Root Canals
Several dental insurance plans available through DentalPlans.com include root canal treatment in their coverage. Please note that discounts may vary based on your location and oral health needs.
The Humana Complete Dental plan covers major services like root canals at 50% after the deductible, with a 12-month waiting period and annual spending cap of $1,500. Similarly, Delta Dental’s PPO Premium Plan includes major services after the deductible, with 50% for root canals with a 12-month waiting period and an annual cap of $2,000. The Aetna Dental Direct PPO Plan reimburses 50-60% for root canals, with a 12 month waiting period for major services that is waived if you had prior dental insurance and an annual spending limit of $1,250.
Bottom line: Insurance can reduce costs—but waiting periods and annual limits may impede urgent savings if you experience a dental emergency.
How Dental Savings Plans Handle Root Canals
Unlike insurance, DSPs offer immediate discounts with no waiting periods, no deductibles, and no annual caps. Below are sample discounts on crowns from several dental savings plans offered on DentalPlans.com. Please note that discounts may vary based on your location and oral health needs.
- Careington 500 Series: Root canal discount 65% (front tooth, check plan details for additional information)
- CignaPlus Savings: Root canal discount 62%-65% (depending on tooth)
- Aetna Vital Savings: Root canal discount: 44%-64% (depending on tooth)
Bottom line: Dental savings plans eliminate the need to worry about waiting periods and annual spending limits – a root canal may just be part of the treatment needed to save a tooth.
Will I Need a Dental Crown After a Root Canal?
Possibly. Crowns are often recommended after root canals on molars or premolars. They are sometimes recommended for other teeth if the treated tooth is fragile or there is a cosmetic reason for a crown. Dental insurance limits may not stretch to cover the cost of root canal therapy and a dental crown in the same year. It’s also important to know that dental insurance covers medically necessary treatment, not cosmetic care.
Research indicates that getting a filling and crown helps extend the life of a tooth after root canal treatment. For example, according to the Regenstrief-IU School of Dentistry, the median survival time of a tooth after a root canal is 11.1 years. However, several factors can impact that, including follow-up treatments.
- Teeth that receive a root canal, and a subsequent filling and crown last about 20 years.
- Teeth that receive either a filling or a crown after a root canal last around 11 years.
- Teeth that receive no restorative work after a root canal only last about 6.5 years.
Choosing the Right Option
When to Choose Dental Insurance:
- You’re already insured and past the waiting period.
- You expect to stay under your annual maximum.
When to Choose a Dental Savings Plan:
- You need a root canal urgently.
- You’re uninsured and want savings without delay.
- You’ve already reached your insurance maximum.
- You need a crown as well as root canal treatment.
- You need cosmetic treatment.
Root Canals: Dental Savings Plans vs. Dental Insurance
Root canals are expensive, fortunately, both dental savings plans and dental insurance provide ways to ease the financial burden. The information provided in this guide should help you make the decision that is right for you.
You can also use a dental savings plan as a supplement to your dental insurance, to reduce the costs of procedures not covered by your insurance and to pay for procedures that exceed your annual spending limit. Ask your dentist for help to figure out how to coordinate treatments. Note that you cannot combine dental savings plans and insurance to reduce costs for the same procedure, and some insurance companies may have restrictions on supplemental insurance use. Check with your plan provider.
For a quick look at how much you can save on crowns and other dental treatments with a dental savings plan, use the calculator below.
Disclaimer: Savings may vary by provider, location, and plan. All cost averages obtained from DentalPlans.com procedure search tool, and independent research.
