Is Root Canal Therapy Expensive?

If your dentist has recently recommended root canal therapy to address a compromised tooth, your mind might be racing with thoughts and concerns—and at the forefront of these, you might be wondering about what you’ll potentially pay for the treatment. But you should know that a root canal isn’t just an effective way of addressing a damaged tooth; it’s also a cost-effective solution! Keep reading to learn more about some of the factors that influence the cost of root canal therapy, along with how the procedure can actually save you money in the future.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Root Canal Therapy

To put it simply, every patient has different dental needs, meaning that the grand total of a root canal is going to vary from person to person. That said, a few factors that often affect the total cost of treatment include:

• Location – Root canal therapy is often cheaper when it’s performed on front teeth versus molars. This is because front teeth only have one root that needs to be disinfected and treated, whereas molars can have up to three roots. This equates to more work for your dentist and therefore, a higher cost.
• Severity – If the infection has progressed, what might’ve been a cheap, easy fix with a filling may now require a crown or bridge, which will add more to the total bill. If the tooth is beyond saving and ends up needing to be pulled, that’ll be even more expensive once you calculate the cost of replacing it.
• Retreatment – If the affected tooth has already undergone root canal therapy in the past, you might end up paying more for the procedure this time around, as you’ll likely require a crown even if a filling was used previously.

How a Root Canal Can Save You Money

When faced with a potentially steep dental bill, some patients simply opt to not receive the care they need—but this is never a wise idea! One of the worst things you can do if you need a root canal is prolong treatment, as it increases the likelihood of additional (and costly) problems developing. While something like a tooth extraction might seem like a cheaper alternative to root canal therapy, you’d be exposing yourself to all of the associated risks of having missing teeth. You’ll experience trouble eating and speaking, be at risk of jawbone deterioration, and are even more likely to lose additional teeth; these problems are simply not worth it and will hurt your smile and your wallet alike!

Knowing what influences the cost of root canal therapy and how it’ll save you money in the future can make it much easier to commit to the procedure if your dentist has suggested it for you.

About the Author

Dr. Steven Oshins received his dental doctorate from the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and has proudly served patients and families in the Schenectady, NY area for several years. His practice is thrilled to offer a wide range of services including root canal therapy. If you have any questions about root canals or would like to arrange a visit, you can contact his office online or over the phone for additional assistance: (518) 356-5635.