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A root canal is a dental procedure that saves a severely infected or decayed tooth by removing the damaged pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth), cleaning and disinfecting the root canals, and sealing them to prevent future infection. Without a root canal, the infection can spread, leading to abscesses, bone loss, and ultimately tooth loss.
Typical range: $500–$1,600 per tooth
Modern root canals are no more uncomfortable than getting a routine filling. Your dentist or endodontist will numb the area with local anesthesia, create a small opening in the tooth, remove the infected pulp, clean and shape the canals, fill them with a biocompatible material, and seal the tooth. A crown is usually placed within a few weeks to protect and restore the tooth. Most patients can return to normal activities the same day, with any mild soreness managed by over-the-counter pain relievers.
National range: $500–$1,600 per tooth. Front teeth are less expensive. Molars cost more due to additional canals. Crown: $800–$2,500 extra.
See the full root canal therapycost guide →With modern techniques and anesthesia, a root canal is no more painful than getting a regular filling. In fact, the procedure relieves the pain caused by the infected tooth. Any post-procedure soreness is typically mild and managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen.
Most root canals take 60 to 90 minutes for a front tooth and 90 minutes to 2 hours for a molar (which has more canals). Complex cases or retreatments may require multiple visits. Your dentist will give you a specific timeline after evaluating your tooth.
Costs vary by tooth type: front teeth (incisors) $500–$1,100, premolars $600–$1,300, and molars $800–$1,600. Seeing an endodontist (root canal specialist) may cost slightly more but offers higher success rates for complex cases. Most dental insurance covers 50–80% of the procedure. A crown is usually needed afterward ($800–$2,500 additional).
If the infected pulp isn't removed, the infection can spread to the jawbone, causing an abscess (a painful pocket of pus), bone loss around the tooth root, and potentially systemic infection. The only alternative to a root canal is tooth extraction, which then requires a bridge or implant to prevent adjacent teeth from shifting.
With proper care — good oral hygiene, regular dental checkups, and a well-fitted crown — a root-canaled tooth can last a lifetime. Success rates are approximately 90–95% when performed by a specialist. The crown may need replacement after 10–15 years due to normal wear.
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