How Much Does Root Canal Cost?

There are many contributing factors that affect root canal cost. Root canal treatment is not the same for each patient or each tooth. No two teeth are alike and all situations are different. But primarily, root canal cost is determined by the amount of time necessary to complete the surgery. The labor of the dentist and the staff as well as the technology that is available are all factored into the price.

The following are several factors that contribute to the amount of time it takes to perform root canal treatment:

• The position of the tooth in the mouth
• The number of roots and the number of canals within these roots
• Root curvatures and the length of the roots
• The presence or absence of calcifications within the root canal space
• Special circumstances: For example, an existing crown or bridge makes the root canal procedure more difficult. Teeth that have been affected by disease and broken down would have to be "built up" before root canal procedure can even begin.

Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the offending tooth with dental x-rays and pulp testing procedures before an root canal cost estimate can be given. This can only be done in the dental office. Besides the time involved in performing the surgery, other factors contribute to root canal cost including...

• The cost of technology. Most dentists who use the latest technology for certain procedures have invested in computer digital radiography, ultrasonic, and specialized training courses for themselves and for their staff. Patients obviously benefit from them and so therefore technology contributes to root canal cost as well.
• The costs of operating a dental office which includes staff wages, rent, and supplies in addition to many other expenses. These costs vary significantly depending on location.
• Root canal cost also varies among dentists due to differences in their endodontic treatment philosophies, which in turn determines surgery time, the materials selected, and the technologies utilized.

In conclusion, root canal cost depends on many different things. Ultimately, the best value for treatment is that which is done once and lasts for many years. On the other hand, root canal cost is usually much higher when the procedure has to be redone a second or third time. Therefore, root canal cost should not be the only factor considered when looking for a dentist for treatment.

Go to Root Canal Procedure to see how a root canal is performed.

Go to Root Canal Symptoms for the symptoms of a root canal problem.