How Much Does a Root Canal Cost Without Insurance – Overview
The mere mention of a dental root canal may make some people imagine a painful ordeal. If your dentist recommends one, then the chances are your tooth is already painful from the cavity, crack or infection.
A root canal treatment can help to soothe this intense toothache. You won’t have to pay much out of pocket if you’re lucky.
Let’s look closely at root canal treatment and its cost without insurance in 2022.
What is a Root Canal Treatment?
How Much Does a Root Canal Cost Without Insurance – What is a Root Canal Treatment
A root canal is a non-surgical dental treatment to repair an infected or cracked tooth. An endodontist performs this procedure.
The main aim of this treatment is to remove bacteria and dead/dying tissue from within the tooth. The overall goal is to preserve the original tooth so it does not need to be extracted.
Initially, the endodontist examines your tooth’s condition and discusses the options to preserve it with you. Once a decision has been made, the procedure is usually performed in two steps:
- Removal – The endodontist injects a local anesthetic to numb your They then drill into your infected tooth till the pulp is reached. The pulp is the soft tissue at the center of your teeth. The endodontist will remove the infected pulp using small dental files and then clean the canals made into the tooth’s root. They may often add temporary filler over the tooth roots to guard the exposed pulp.
- Restoration – In a few weeks, the endodontist will call you for the next step in a root canal procedure. This step is usually performed at the dentist’s office. In this step, the dentist will fix a permanent crown (artificial tooth) or filling to protect the cleaned root and the remaining tooth.
In addition, if you have undergone previous root canal procedures for other teeth, the dentist will likely remove any restoration work and do a deeper investigation and cleaning of the canals. Some more advanced methods include ultrasonic energy and dental water laser to clean the canals.
What Is the Typical Cost of Root Canal Treatment?
The overall cost of a root canal treatment depends on several different factors, such as:
- The location of the tooth
- If you are seeing a regular dentist or specialist (endodontist)
- If it is a first-time root canal or a repeat procedure on a previously-treated tooth
- If it is an emergency procedure or a scheduled treatment
- If you need a crown or filler
- Your location
- If your insurance covers part or the whole cost of root canal treatment
Performing a root canal procedure on the front teeth is easier; hence it is less expensive. Performing a root canal procedure on premolar or bicuspid is slightly more expensive.
The average cost of a front tooth root canal treatment is around US$ 1,000, while a root canal on a bicuspid is around US$ 1,100. On the other hand, a root canal treatment on molars is even higher and costs around US$ 1,300 to US$ 1,600 for a single molar.
Having a tooth re-treated is a complicated and time-consuming process. In this, the dentist needs to remove existing filler materials and investigate new problems. As a result, you should expect to pay around 18% to 20% extra over the conventional root canal treatment cost.
Considering the different factors influencing the total cost. A root canal procedure can cost anywhere between US$ 700 to US$ 2,100.
If you don’t have insurance coverage for a root canal, then you can seek alternate, affordable methods to receive the treatment. It is highly advised to check low-cost options, such as getting the procedure at a dental school or a community care clinic with dental healthcare facilities.
In addition, you can request your dentist to refer you to the nearest dental school for an affordable root canal treatment.
Actual Cost of a Root Canal Treatment
The total cost of a root canal treatment usually covers the following:
- Anesthetic fees
- X-ray or other imaging test costs
- Treatment or procedure cost
Remember, the cost of a consultation with the dentist is not included in this. Apart from this, the total cost of root canal treatment usually does not include the cost of final tooth restoration, such as a crown or a new filling.
A dental crown is usually recommended if the root canal is done on a molar.
The average cost of a dental crown is around US$ 1,300 but varies depending on the material of the crown. You can choose metal crowns, ceramic crowns, porcelain-metal crowns, and even zirconia crowns.
How Successful Is Root Canal Treatment?
If you are suffering from severe toothache, a root canal is one of two feasible options for relief. The option includes removing the entire tooth, which often leads to requiring a more expensive dental implant treatment.
Let’s check out the express benefits and potential drawbacks of a root canal procedure so you can decide if it is worth it:
Pros of Root Canal
- Preserves natural tooth
- Relieves swelling, toothache and intense sensitivity to heat or cold
- It involves less time, expense and risk as compared to tooth removal/replacement
- Less painless than a tooth extraction
Cons of Root Canal
- It may require 2-3 sessions of 90 minutes each
- This may involve taking antibiotics to prevent the spread of infection
- Could cause infection, nerve damage, fracture or loss of tooth
- This may cause the tooth to get discolored
Does Insurance cover Root Canal Treatment?
A dental insurance policy normally covers between 50% and 80% of the total cost of a root canal treatment after meeting the deductible. You may need to pay part of the cost of a dental crown if recommended by the dentist.
There are several other limitations too. In some cases, you may need to meet certain clinical criteria to avail of this facility.
Conclusion
Usually, the cost of a root canal is between US$ 700 to US$ 1,300, depending on several factors, such as your location, the dentist’s expertise, and the extent of treatment required to restore your original tooth. Make sure to consult with the dentist so they can suggest an alternative, affordable root canal treatments.
References
https://www.byte.com/community/resources/article/root-canal-costs/
https://www.forbes.com/health/body/root-canal-cost/
See Also
Does Medicaid Cover Dental Implants?
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