How Much Does a Root Canal Cost?

Root canals are an effective way to remove a damaged nerve while still saving the tooth. At Parkwood Dental in Bradenton, FL, we receive a lot of questions about root canals, such as how much does a root canal cost? We’ll answer this and provide additional information to some commonly asked questions about root canals.

If you’ve been told that you need a root canal, this may be one of the first questions you think of, and the answer, of course, depends upon the tooth in question.

Following are some general estimates on the average price of root canal therapy:

Front tooth: From $762 to $929
Bicuspid: From $879 to $1,054
Molar: From $1,111 to $1,300

Obviously, root canals can be expensive, but going without one when you need it can create an additional risk to the tooth that will involve more extensive treatment later if not corrected now.

Why a Root Canal

Sometimes, decay penetrates the tooth so deeply that it affects and damages the nerve. It’s then necessary to remove the nerve while, at the same time, saving the tooth.

Saving the Tooth

Any time you have a missing tooth, it can cause your bite to be misaligned. As a result, it becomes more difficult to care for your teeth and you’re more prone to conditions such as gum disease.

If you hesitate when you wonder how much does a root canal cost, just remember that root canals save teeth and can help safeguard your oral health, which can save you many thousands in remedial dental work in years to come.

How It Works

During this procedure, the infected pulp inside your tooth is removed. The tooth is then cleaned and sterilized. Afterward, it’s filled with a rubber-like material and a crown is placed on it to provide additional protection and support.

The crown is sometimes an additional cost, so that is something to consider when you are asking how much does a root canal cost.

Dental Anatomy

To really understand the importance of a root canal, it’s good to get an overview of how your teeth are constructed. The enamel is the part of the tooth that you can see. While it has hard enamel on the outside, on the inside, it has a soft layer of pulp in addition to roots and nerves. When these become irritated or infected, it causes pain and discomfort.

Does a Root Canal Hurt?

Root canals have a bad reputation that they don’t deserve. You are numb during the procedure and everything is done to make you as comfortable as possible.

Most people say that getting a root canal is, in many ways, similar to having a cavity filled. In fact, often a root canal alleviates the pain that the infection was causing. This is something to keep in mind when you are asking yourself how much does a root canal cost.