How much does a root canal cost?
Because emergency dental care is often expensive, it’s strongly recommended that patients have regular dental checkups and cleanings, ideally at least twice per year. Preventative dental treatment is the best way to avoid painful problems that require costly solutions. If, however, you find yourself with a damaged tooth that requires repairing with a root canal eden prairie minnesota treatment, it will be helpful for you to understand the many factors that contribute to the cost of the procedure.
The first factor that contributes to the cost of a root canal procedure is the location of the tooth that needs to be repaired. The American Association of Endodontists explains that this is based on the number of roots each tooth has. Your front teeth have only one root, which simplifies the root canal procedure and leads to decreased cost. Molars, on the other hand, can have up to three roots, and this increased number of roots leads to an increased amount of work to complete the procedure. Naturally, this leads to a higher cost. Nationally, the average cost for a root canal procedure on a front tooth is $762. A root canal procedure on a molar reaches an average cost of $1,111, and the procedure on intermediate teeth averages a cost of $879. In addition to your tooth’s location, your geographical location may also play a role in cost; dentists on the coasts of the US generally charge higher rates than others nationwide.
The second factor that contributes to cost is the severity of the infection and the extent of the necessary repair. If you noticed sensitivity and promptly visited the dentist, there’s a good chance that you’ve caught the infection relatively early. In this case, where the infection hasn’t progressed significantly, it may be considerably easier for the dentist to access the infected areas and also easier for the dentist to drill and fill the cavity. If, however, you waited to see if the sensitivity would go away, and then, after a while, decided to make an appointment, the infection may have progressed and increased in severity. In this case, your dentist may recommend a crown, in addition to the root canal procedure, which will add to the total cost of the procedure. In some cases, patients wait so long to address tooth sensitivity that infection progresses to the point of no repair. In these cases, the tooth must be extracted, which leads to an even higher cost -- that of extraction, plus repair and an implant or bridge.
Finally, in some cases, patients find that teeth that have already undergone a root canal procedure may become reinfected. In these cases, the procedure is more involved, and therefore also more expensive. Your dentist will still drill into the affected area and remove infected tissue, but it is likely that your dentist will need to then install a crown on the affected tooth, instead of making do with a filling. With these additional procedures comes increased cost. The best way to avoid reinfection of a tooth that has already undergone a root canal procedure is to adhere to good oral hygiene habits, including brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once a day, as well as maintaining regular dental visits for periodic checkups and professional cleanings.
Some dentists may be able to offer you a payment plan or other arrangement if you don’t have dental insurance. Talk to your dentist. In every case, it is preferable to seek treatment as soon as you can, as root canal treatments invariably increase in cost the longer one waits to undergo one. If you talk openly with your dentist throughout your appointments, you’ll be more likely to be able to work out a payment arrangement and get the timely treatment you need.
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