Root Canal Cost in 2026: Front Tooth, Premolar, Molar and the Crown After

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Prices checked October 22, 2026. By Lorenzo Beux.

Short answer: A molar root canal costs $685 to $1,800 in the US, with a national average of $1,050. Front teeth and premolars usually cost less. Most molars also need a build-up and a crown afterward, so the full bill is often about $2,600 to $3,400 before insurance. A dental savings plan can cut that total by half or more at participating dentists.

Dental savings plans are not insurance. A plan gives you discounts only at participating dentists. It does not pay the dentist for you, and you pay for all services at the discounted rate. Prices, discounts and dentists vary by plan and ZIP code.

Compare dental savings plans and what you would pay

Root canal prices by tooth

The tooth matters most. A molar has more canals than a front tooth, so it takes longer and costs more. These prices cover the root canal only. The filling or crown that seals the tooth is a separate bill.

ToothCodeNational (Pearl)Typical out-of-network (Delta Dental)Orlando, FL (Humana)Houston sample fee
Front tooth (incisor or canine)D3310Not publishedAbout $1,200$900$1,148
Premolar (bicuspid)D3320Not publishedAbout $1,300$1,017$1,284
MolarD3330$685–$1,800, average $1,050About $1,500$1,175$1,567
Sources: Pearl national average from ADA fee survey data (May 2026); Delta Dental, based on 2025 internal data (page dated July 2026); Humana pricing tool, Orlando (page updated June 2026); DentalPlans.com sample usual fees, ZIP 77002 (October 2026). None include the final filling or crown.

Root canal and crown cost: the full bill

Pearl notes that a molar almost always needs a crown after a root canal. Delta Dental says the treated tooth will need a new filling, and a crown is frequently the preferred choice.

So the real question is the total. A molar is often billed as three items: the root canal, a core build-up (D2950) that rebuilds the tooth, and the crown. The table below adds them up with the same sample fees, so the numbers compare fairly.

ToothUsual fee: root canal + build-up + crownWith Aetna Dental AccessWith Careington Care 500
Front tooth$1,148 + $375 + $1,468 = $2,991$402 + $147 + $852 = $1,401$327 + $126 + $524 = $977
Premolar$1,284 + $375 + $1,468 = $3,127$452 + $147 + $852 = $1,451$391 + $126 + $524 = $1,041
Molar$1,567 + $375 + $1,468 = $3,410$694 + $147 + $852 = $1,693$481 + $126 + $524 = $1,131
Source: DentalPlans.com published sample fees for a general dentist, ZIP 77002, checked October 22, 2026. Crown is D2750 (porcelain on high noble metal). Totals are our math and exclude plan membership fees.

Using national averages instead, a molar root canal ($1,050) plus a crown ($1,560) comes to about $2,610 before any build-up. Not every front tooth needs a crown. Ask your dentist whether a filling alone is enough for yours. See our dental crown cost guide for prices by material.

What raises or lowers the price

  • Which tooth. Molars have more canals and take longer. Delta Dental also notes they carry a higher degree of difficulty.
  • Who treats it. An endodontist (a root canal specialist) often charges more than a general dentist.
  • Retreatment. Redoing an old root canal costs more than a first one, according to Pearl.
  • Extras billed separately. Pearl lists the crown and the build-up (post and core) as separate charges.
  • Where you live. The same molar root canal is $1,175 in the Orlando sample and $1,567 in the Houston sample.
  • Crown material. Ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal and gold crowns are priced differently.

Root canal cost with dental insurance

Humana says most dental plans follow a 100/80/50 model after the deductible. Preventive care is paid at 100%, basic work at 80%, and major work like crowns at 50%. Pearl says most PPO plans pay 50% to 80% of a root canal after the deductible.

Three limits shape what you actually pay:

  • Yearly maximum. ADA News reports that 32.8% of plans cap benefits at $1,000 to $1,500 a year. Another 48.2% cap them at $1,500 to $2,500.
  • Waiting periods. Humana says most insurers make you wait 6 or 12 months before covering major care such as root canals and crowns.
  • Premiums. The average dental premium in 2026 is $49.60 a month, or about $595 a year, per Becker’s Dental Review.

A root canal plus crown can use up most of a $1,500 maximum by itself. If you also need other work that year, plan the timing with your dentist. Our guide to dental insurance explains these terms in plain English.

Root canal cost with a dental savings plan

A dental savings plan is a yearly membership. You pay a reduced fee at dentists who join the plan. There is no yearly maximum and no deductible. Coverage usually starts within one to two business days.

  • Aetna Dental Access: $154.95 a year plus a $20 processing fee. Sample molar root canal $1,567 → $694.
  • Careington Care 500: $184.95 a year plus a $20 processing fee. Sample molar root canal $1,567 → $481.
  • Humana Dental Savings (Sam’s Club): $49.92 a year for one person. Humana says members typically save 20% to 40%.

Discounts depend on the dentist and ZIP code. Always confirm your dentist participates before you join. Compare options in our list of the best dental savings plans.

Worked example: molar root canal and crown

Say you need a molar root canal, a build-up and a crown. We use the Houston sample fees: $1,567 + $375 + $1,468 = $3,410.

With insurance (an example plan, not a quote). Assume a $50 deductible and a $1,500 yearly maximum. The root canal is paid at 80%, the build-up and crown at 50%.

  1. Root canal: ($1,567 − $50) × 80% = $1,213.60 from the plan.
  2. Build-up: $375 × 50% = $187.50 from the plan.
  3. Crown: $1,468 × 50% = $734 from the plan.
  4. That adds up to $2,135.10, but the plan stops at $1,500.
  5. You pay $3,410 − $1,500 = $1,910, plus about $595 in yearly premiums.

In-network fees may be lower than usual fees, so your share may be smaller. But if you just enrolled, a 6- or 12-month waiting period could mean the plan pays nothing yet.

With a savings plan. On Aetna Dental Access, the three items cost $1,693. Add $174.95 for the first year’s fee, and you pay $1,867.95. On Careington Care 500, the items cost $1,131, or $1,335.95 with the first-year fee. No waiting period applies once the plan is active.

Your numbers will differ. The point is to compare your total, not just the root canal line. Our savings plan vs. insurance comparison walks through more cases.

Ways to pay less for a root canal

  • Ask for a written estimate with codes. Look for D3310, D3320 or D3330, plus D2950 and the crown code. Compare two offices if the total is high.
  • Ask for the cash price. Some offices offer a lower fee if you pay in full at the visit.
  • Use a dental savings plan at a participating dentist if you have no insurance or a waiting period.
  • Try a dental school. NIDCR says students treat patients at reduced cost under licensed dentists’ supervision.
  • Check a community health center. Federally funded centers charge based on income. Find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
  • Ask about payment options. Many offices offer in-house payment plans. Medical credit cards and loans also exist, so read the interest terms carefully.

More ideas are in our guide to dental care without insurance and our list of free and low-cost dental care.

When to see a dentist

See a dentist soon if you have tooth pain, swelling, or a tooth that hurts with hot or cold. Only a dentist can tell if you need a root canal. If a tooth cannot be saved, the options are an extraction and then often an implant or a bridge. Ask for prices on both paths before you decide.

Root canal cost FAQ

How much is a root canal and crown on a molar?

Using national averages, about $2,610 for the root canal and crown. Using the Houston sample fees with a build-up, about $3,410. With a savings plan, the same sample drops to $1,131 to $1,693 before the membership fee.

Do I always need a crown after a root canal?

Not always. Molars almost always need one, according to Pearl. A front tooth may only need a filling. Your dentist decides based on how much tooth is left.

Why is a molar root canal more expensive?

Molars have more canals, so the work takes longer. Delta Dental’s typical charges run about $1,200 for a front tooth and $1,500 for a molar.

Is an endodontist more expensive than a general dentist?

Often, yes. Endodontists are root canal specialists and often charge more. Ask for the fee before you book.

Does insurance cover a root canal right away?

Often not. Humana says most insurers apply a 6- or 12-month waiting period to major care. Some plans have none, so check your policy. See our page on dental insurance with no waiting period.

Does Medicare pay for a root canal?

NIDCR says Medicare generally does not cover routine dental care such as checkups, cleanings, fillings or dentures. Read our Medicare dental guide for how it works.

Dental savings plans are not insurance. They provide discounts at participating providers. You pay the provider directly at the time of service. Prices vary by provider and ZIP code. This page is for information only and is not dental or financial advice.

Sources

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