Root canal treatment is necessary when teeth have large cavity fillings; there is a severe gum infection, deep tooth decay, periodontal disease (severe gum disease), tooth cracks (or significant chips), or dental trauma. Root canal cost depends on a couple of factors. Additionally, you will need to choose treatment from a general dentist or an endodontist (a dentist specializing in saving teeth). For the ideal root canal treatment in Los Angeles, here’s how to understand the average cost of root canal treatment. To learn more about root canal prices near me call Southland Dental care for your free consultation and free CT-Scan.
Understanding a Root Canal
The inflammatory or sick pulp is removed when a root canal is performed and the inside tooth is thoroughly cleansed, sanitized and filled before dressing. Pulp is the soft tissue that exists inside the tooth. It lies underneath a hard layer called dentin and the white enamel. This tissue is made up of connective tissue, blood arteries, and nerves that aid in the formation of your tooth’s root. Root canal treatment is meant to protect the normal tooth while preventing bacteria from infecting the damaged root canal.
A fully grown tooth may survive without the pulp because it’s nourished by the tissues surrounding it. Please visit your dentist if the discomfort takes longer than three days. If the infection from the tooth is not treated, it may spread to other regions of your body like the jaw, blood, or brain, including your important organs, which could make the situation fatal.
For a few days after a successful root canal, you may have minor pain. This is only transitory and should disappear on its own if you practice excellent dental hygiene. If it doesn’t, visit your dentist.
How Much Does a Root Canal Cost?
The standard cost of root canal treatment varies significantly based on specific factors, such as:
- The tooth location – is it a front tooth, bicuspid (premolar), or a molar?
- The tooth condition – If your tooth has acquired an abscess, it may cause harm to the surrounding tissues, gums, and bones. All of this requires a long and intensive procedure to repair all of this harm.
- Individual dentistry competence – a regular dentist or an endodontis (root canal specialist).
- The location of the dental practice.
Furthermore, having insurance will alter your root canal cost considerably.
if you don’t have any dental plan or dental insurance, you might be qualified for 0% financing and payment plans.
Root Canal Cost for One Tooth
It will be less expensive if the cavity is on one of the front teeth because these have one root only. Molars can have a maximum of three roots. The more roots a tooth has, the harder the treatment process will be for your dentist to perform. In this way, a greater fee is charged.
The average cost of root canal treatment ranges between $700 and $1,200 for a front tooth, $750 and $1,200 for a bicuspid, and $1,000 and $1,800 for a molar. While you may be tempted to engage the services of the cheapest dentist in your area, it is important to remember that this is a procedure that requires special expertise.
Root Canal and Crown Cost
Once your tooth has undergone a root canal, it may be extra sensitive for some days. To provide protection and ensure longevity, your cosmetic dentist may suggest getting a crown. This comes with additional costs, and the average cost of root canal and crown may range between $800 and $1,500 for each tooth.
Root canal cost with crown varies according on the methods for making a crown and what tooth. Typically, crowns strengthen the entire tooth and last longer than fillings – about 10-15 years and sometimes longer, depending on your oral health and hygiene practices. Crowns do not discolor since they are made of porcelain material.
The application process of a crown may vary, with most requiring two visits. The first visit is for preparing the tooth, taking impressions, and fabricating a temporary crown to preserve it. The second visit facilitates the cementing of the permanent crown. This occurs after the removal of the temporary one. The fitting and adjustments are also checked then. Nevertheless, your cosmetic dentist or endodontist will advise you on the root canal and crown cost and the procedure for your individual situation.
Molar Root Canal Cost
Of all the teeth, a molar root canal is the most expensive due to the intensity of the procedure. It is more detailed due to the multiple canals that a molar has in comparison to a front tooth. Aside from the actual operation, there are additional fees associated with undergoing a root canal. These are typically a tiny fraction of the total root canal cost and mostly include drugs that must be taken pre and post the procedure.
Also, it is worth noting that certain regions of the United States cost more than others. For instance, in the West, the average molar root canal cost ranges between $900 and $1,100, and in the Midwest, it ranges between $1,000 and $1,200. In contrast, in the South, the average molar root canal cost ranges between $1,200 and $1,400, and in the Northeast, it ranges between $1,500 and $2,000.
Emergency Root Canal Cost
Because emergency dental care is costly, it is suggested that you get routine oral check-ups at least twice a year to avoid possible complications. However, sometimes, an emergency root canal is your only option. In most cases, discomfort from infection is the first indication that a root canal is required. Reliant on the symptoms severity, it may be considered an emergency that necessitates rapid medical attention. It is vital to comprehend what an emergency root canal cost will entail.
While the final root canal cost will vary depending on your region and the clinic you attend, the national average root canal cost for an uninsured individual range as follows:
- For a front tooth – $700 to $900
- For a bicuspid (an intermediate tooth) – $800 to $950
- For a molar – $1,000 to $1,200
What’s The Average Root Canal Cost with Insurance?
A root canal cost with insurance may vary between $200 to $500 on average for out-of-pocket expenses with an average insurance policy in many parts of the United States. The most comprehensive dental insurance will lower your out-of-pocket root canal cost, often by more than half. However, these plans have a higher monthly premium, which ranges between $100 and $150 per month, depending on the organization.
In comparison, lower monthly payments will get you a basic plan. In some cases, some employers provide coverage at no cost. However, these plans do not cover much more than preventative maintenance, like frequent cleanings and examinations. With dental coverage that’s less comprehensive, you may have to cater for the entire root canal cost, but you may be reimbursed in part.
What’s The Average Root Canal Cost Without Insurance?
Without insurance, you will be responsible for the full root canal cost operation and any extra charges. In this case, the root canal cost without insurance is closer to $1,000, on average, in many parts of the United States. However, suppose you are unable to raise the entire amount at the time. In that case, some dental offices may be willing to consider payment arrangements or agreements in order to prevent the infection from worsening. If the situation worsens, you may need to consider having the tooth extracted, which is more expensive than a root canal overall.
Root Canal Retreatment Cost
For the most part, teeth that have received endodontic treatment will have similar longevity to your natural teeth. Once in a while, root canal retreatment is necessary if the treated tooth did not heal fully. As a result, it may become diseased or painful several months after a successful procedure.
Dental insurance can help to partially cover the expense of retreatment. However, some policies impose limitations on coverage, catering only for a single tooth root canal cost procedure in a specific time period. You may want to confirm with your insurance company regarding the retreatment coverage before the treatment.
Because each operation is unique, the root canal retreatment cost will vary based on how difficult the process is. Retreatment usually costs more than the first root canal cost for one tooth. Retreatments are typically more difficult than initial treatments since restoration and the filling material used in the initial procedure may need to be removed in order to perform the subsequent operation. Furthermore, the endodontis may need to spend more time looking for unique canal architecture.
What Would Necessitate Root Canal Retreatment?
Causes of a treated tooth not healing fully may include:
- Failed restriction of salivary contamination of the tooth’s interior despite the restoration.
- Too curved or too thin canals that were untreatable in the first surgery.
- Delay in the crown or restoration installation following therapy.
- In the initial surgery, complicated canals went unnoticed.
Other circumstances that may necessitate a root canal retreatment are a cracked or loose crown, which might jeopardize the tooth, exposing it to an infection, or a new fracture forms in the treated tooth. Endodontically treated teeth are susceptible to new decay, exposing microorganisms to the filling material used during the root canal. This can result in a new tooth infection.
Things To Know Before Getting a Root Canal
The idea of having a root canal procedure may be scary, and you may even be tempted to postpone it for long. When the tooth pulp is infected, it can be quite painful. However, sometimes the pain subsides. If it does, do not assume that your tooth is okay and the infection has disappeared. Instead, understand that the pulp slowly dies as the infection advances, causing the pain to fade frequently.
Once the infection spreads to the roots of your tooth, you may begin to notice puffiness on the face, especially on the side with the affected tooth. In other instances, you may notice leaking pus from the affected tooth. In either case, pay your dentist a visit to get the appropriate solution. If the infection has spread and the procedure required for corrective measures may be complicated, your dentist will possibly refer you to a root canal specialist.
Usually, you will undergo x-rays and thorough examination before the procedure to identify the extent of the damage and whether there are other teeth that may be infected or have cavities. If there are, your dentist will plan to fix them on the same day to minimize your visits and cause little discomfort.
Summing It Up
Take a thorough check at your dental coverage, if any, to better understand the average cost of root canal and crown before scheduling the procedure. Dental insurance policies vary greatly by the provider in terms of monthly rates and degree of coverage, but for the most part, most plans will affect your overall root canal cost.
Natural tooth restoration and endodontic therapy are often less costly than having the tooth removed. This is because a removed tooth should always be replaced with a bridge or an implant to restore the tooth’s chewing function. Additionally, filling the gap of extraction will help to keep neighboring teeth from shifting.
Therefore, no matter how pricey you may feel the root canal costs, it is ultimately more effective than an extraction, even if you consider a root canal cost with crown. However, it is best to seek professional advice from Southland Dental Careto determine the best solution for your individual issue. We specialize in root canal treatment in Los Angeles. You can contact us on 818.788.8787 or visit our practice at 4312 Woodman Ave, #100, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423.
