How Much Does A Root Canal Procedure Cost?

Like any dental procedure, root canal cost varies from one provider to another. But it can still be helpful to get an idea of the average cost nationwide. According to Nerd Wallet, root canals cost an average of $700 per tooth for a front tooth root canal, and $900 per tooth for a molar root canal.

The average price varies by area, though. For example, a molar root canal in Washington, DC averages $1,369. By comparison, how much do root canals cost in Seattle, WA? Just $619 for the same procedure.

If you’re wondering why there’s such a wide variation for one city to another, it’s because providers are free to set their own prices, and those prices are affected by the cost of living in each area. A big city like New York will usually come with higher dental fees than a smaller town like Pittsburgh because dentists have to pay more money for their rent and utilities.

Payment Plans for Root Canals to Reduce Your Cost

If your goal is to reduce the amount of money you have to pay out-of-pocket and get a cheaper root canal, you basically have 2 options: dental insurance and a dental discount card (like Carefree Dental).

Dental insurance will usually cover root canals because they are a medically necessary procedure. Many people get dental insurance through their employer; but if you don’t, then expect to pay $20-$50 or more per month.

A dental discount card like Carefree Dental is an easier, simpler way to save money on dental expenses. Unlike dental insurance, Carefree Dental has a low monthly fee, no annual savings cap, and no contracts or commitments.

For all these reasons, Carefree Dental is a great discount dental plan that lets you save money at the dentist without wasting your time jumping through hoops like filling out paperwork and filing claims. We make it easy to get root canals without insurance.

The Benefits of Carefree Dental for Your Upcoming Root Canal Procedure

If you need a root canal, the last thing you want to do is spend time trying to figure out how to pay for it. You just want to get the procedure over so you can start feeling good again!

That’s why the Carefree Dental Card is such a great discount dental plan for root canals. It gets rid of all the paperwork and makes the process of saving money as simple and easy as possible.

Just select a participating provider, reference the network when making an appointment, remember to bring your card to your appointment--and that’s it! It really couldn’t get any simpler.

As a Carefree cardholder, you’ll also enjoy these great member benefits:

• Free vision & prescription medication savings. Along with saving big on dental expenses, you’ll also save 10% - 60% on vision expenses and 10% - 85% on prescription medications--for no extra charge.
• Savings for your entire household with just 1 card. That's right: with the family membership, just one card is all you need to save 15-50% per visit*, in most instances, on your entire household’s dental expenses. That includes oral exams, cleanings, fillings, braces, crowns, root canals.
• No contracts or commitments. Feel free to cancel your Carefree Dental Card at any time. You’re even protected by not one, but two money-back guarantees: a 30-day money-back guarantee and a year-long savings guarantee. You really can’t lose!
• No annual savings cap. One of the big downsides to dental insurance is that your benefits often max out at $1,000-$1,500 per year. Not with Carefree Dental, though. Carefree has no annual cap, so there’s no limit to how much you can save with your card.
• Savings on procedures that insurance doesn’t cover. Most dental insurance policies don’t give you coverage for cosmetic procedures, which means you have to pay the entire cost out-of-pocket. Not with Carefree Dental! Carefree works for many procedures that dental insurance doesn’t cover, so you can get the dental work you need for less money.
• Access to the Aetna Dental Access® Network. Carefree Dental is powered by the Aetna Dental Access® Network, so there are many affordable participating dentists around the country to choose from.

How Will I Know If I Need A Root Canal?

According to the AAE, a root canal is a procedure that helps to repair damage that happens when the inside of your tooth (called the pulp) becomes infected or inflamed. This can be caused by a variety of things, including damage to your tooth, gum disease, and even a poorly filled cavity.

You can often tell if you have this kind of damage because you will experience pain and sensitivity to heat or cold. The tooth may also become discolored, swollen, and sensitive to the touch. Sometimes, however, you will not experience any of these symptoms.

It’s important to realize that if this condition is left untreated, it can worsen over time and the infection can spread--so it’s important to get this taken care of as quickly as possible.

What Happens During A Root Canal Procedure

After examining and x-raying the affected tooth, your endodontist will administer local anesthesia so you won’t feel any pain during the procedure.

He or she will make an opening in the crown of your tooth and clear out the center of your tooth from all the infected material (the pulp).

Once this is complete, your endodontist will fill the root canals with a biocompatible material and seal it with dental cement. Typically, you will receive a temporary filling to protect the tooth.

At this point, you will need to schedule an appointment with your dentist so they can remove the temporary filling and cover the tooth with a crown for more permanent protection.

Want Vision & Prescription Benefits, Too?

Then we have good news: they’re free.

That’s right, in addition to saving big on dental costs, you’ll also save 10% - 60% on vision expenses and 10% - 85% on prescription medications. And it won’t cost you a penny more than your normal low monthly rate.

Sign Up Today For Your Discount Root Canal Procedure

Paying for a root canal is no fun...but when you can save an average of 40% with Carefree Dental, the price tag gets a lot less intimidating.

You’ll be eligible for your savings as soon as you make your first payment, which means you could save 15-50% per visit*, in most instances, with the help of your Carefree Dental Card.

You’ll be under no obligation, you can cancel at any time, and you have the added protection of not one but two guarantees: our 30-day money-back guarantee, and our year-long savings guarantee.

What’s not to like?

If you like the idea of paying less for great dental care, then you owe it to yourself to give Carefree a try. You’ll be glad you did.

"I had 4 teeth extracted and received a full set of dentures. I saved around $5,000. I am recommending Carefree to others and very happy with the plan!" –  Barbara S., TX

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

If you're not 100% happy with your plan, cancel within the first 30 days after the effective date and we'll refund you in full—no questions asked, no hassle.

Money Back Savings Guarantee

If the savings on your dental care for the year add up to less than your plan’s annual cost, the difference will be paid directly to you.

* Actual costs and savings vary by provider, service and geographical area.

**As of September 2021

If you’ve been suffering from an agonizing toothache for a prolonged period of time, there could be a more serious issue developing below the surface. A root canal is a long-term dental solution that immediately relieves the pain associated with damaged nerves at the center of a tooth.

What Causes Tooth Nerve Damage?

Damage to a tooth’s nerves results in intolerable pain. This damage can be caused by a chip or crack, advanced gum disease, and even a filling that was installed too close to the nerves. Damaged nerve endings can also lead to more advanced issues like pus build-up in the gum and serious infection.

If left untreated, an infected tooth can cause the gum to swell and the infection can spread out from the nerve area into the bone. The worst tooth infections can even spread beyond the mouth to affect the face, head, or neck. A tooth infection is an agonizing issue to deal with, and root canals provide relief from these intense toothaches.

What is a Root Canal Treatment?

A root canal is the process by which an infection is removed from the interior of the tooth. The interior is then lined with a filling to seal and protect it. This dental procedure takes place under a local anesthetic and is often done over the course of two or three stages, each one typically lasting an hour.

During the first stage, an opening is created in the tooth to allow for the removal of the infected nerve and any fluid build-up in the gum. The dentist then applies a protective cover over the tooth. This initial procedure immediately relieves pressure on the nerve endings caused by infected swelling, so pain relief is practically instant.

The dentist then prepares the nerve endings, so they are ready to receive the root filling. The final stage of the root canal involves inserting the root filling and rebuilding the tooth. Since the tooth has been hollowed out to remove decay and place fillings, it’s more susceptible to fracture. Teeth treated with a root canal do have a tendency to become brittle over time, which could require additional dental procedures down the road, such as dental crowns.

Is a Root Canal Necessary?

Nerve damage in teeth can be hard to spot, especially if it’s happening to teeth located in the back of the mouth. Pain is often the first signal that something’s wrong, but unfortunately this means that the nerve damage is already advanced. Failure to seek treatment for this issue can lead to much more serious cases of nerve damage, tooth decay, and infection that spreads beyond the tooth.

As the decay progresses beyond the tooth into the gums, the pain intensifies. While the human body has amazing regenerative qualities, it cannot heal itself of this type of issue, so it’s important to seek dental treatment as soon as possible.

What Happens if I Don’t Receive Treatment?

If infections are left untreated, the underlying bacteria may develop a resistance to a root canal treatment. The gums and surrounding teeth will start to become infected and, more alarmingly, the infection can spread into the bones. This is much harder and more expensive to treat, and the pain alone is unbearable.

This is why regular 6-month dental checkups are recommended to maintain good oral health. This allows your dentist to spot early signs of nerve damage and tooth decay that’s often not noticeable to the untrained eye. In today’s busy world, however, many patients put off seeing their dentist every 6 months, which allows potentially serious conditions to manifest and spread.

Save on Root Canals With Carefree Dental

If you have put off having a dental checkup because of cost and are experiencing toothaches, it’s important to schedule an appointment with a local provider. With Carefree Dental, you can ensure that you and your household will save money on dental procedures, including root canals. There’s no reason to live with intense pain. Buy Carefree Dental today and save on your dental procedures as soon as tomorrow!

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