The prices for a root canal are about ₹4,000 to ₹8,000 for a front tooth and ₹8,000 to ₹15,000 or higher for a molar with multiple canals, this depends on whether the tooth has only one canal or multiple canals, and how hard it is to clean and seal. This does not necessarily include the crown added at the rear (usually done separately).
Root Canal Cost by Tooth Type
Tooth Type | Price Range (₹) | Canal Complexity |
Front tooth (incisor/canine) | 4,000 – 8,000 | Usually 1 canal, straightforward |
Premolar | 6,000 – 10,000 | 1–2 canals |
Molar | 8,000 – 15,000+ | 2–4 canals, more intricate |
These are the standards of costs that you should be able to expect with a first root canal; if you need a retreatment or in cases where the canal is particularly complex, then the costs would be higher.
Factors Determining the Final Total Cost
Number of Canals
This is by far the most important. A single canal in a front tooth is easier and less time-consuming to treat than a molar with three or four; the number of canals accounts for the difference in time and precision needed, and therefore the price.
Retreatment vs First Time Treatment
When the initial root canal is unsuccessful, or it fails to work and the infection crops up again, the situation is more complicated: removing old filling material and reaching the root is a bit more time consuming — and costly — than the first time.
Crown Afterward
Once there are holes in the structure, most treated teeth require a crown for protection, particularly from molars. This is an extra charge on the root canal, and will be discussed more fully later.
Sedation or Comfort Measures
Your dental quote should generally include standard anaesthetic, but if you have special concerns and would like extra measures to help you feel comfortable then your quote might include that too — so it’s worth enquiring beforehand if that is an area of concern for you.
The Real Costs of Root Canal & Extraction!
Removals are a simple removal cost usually on the surface of things. When a tooth is lost you would probably need an implant or a bridge or a denture to replace the tooth because neighbouring teeth tend to move and bone would start to deteriorate — these replacement options tend to cost more than the root canal treatment. Saving the tooth through a root canal usually is the more cost-effective treatment when the tooth IS a viable tooth to save, considering the expense of subsequent procedures after an extraction.
What Is Included in the Price Is the Crown?
No, but it’s the one-of-the-most-plain misconception patients can have when comparing quotes. The root canal works to clean and seal the inner canal system of the tooth in the process. It is a separate process, which rounds and protects the tooth afterwards, and involves its own separate charges, ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹15,000 or higher, depending on the type of material used. When asking for the cost of the work done, always ensure that it is for the root canal only and not the crown as well.
Does it have Insurance/EMI?
Coverage will only be provided if it is covered by your health insurance policy ; there are some newer policies that cover partial dental care, but many do not cover root canals, or any dental care. Before an appointment, you should double-check with your insurance company. Patients usually have the option to choose EMI at the clinic if they wish to pay for the crown in installments over a period of, say, a few months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Explain why your quote has changed after an X-ray?
It is often possible to see through the ‘veils’ of initial impressions and determine both the actual number and the shape of canals from an x-ray. The price is adjusted if the canal anatomy is found to be more involved than anticipated.
Is it dangerous to do a cheap root canal?
While not invariably lower in price, it’s important to grasp what is perhaps the uncommon cause for you to be contacted with a treatment quotation that is notably lower than you have already encountered, such as not using the best imaging equipment, using low-grade filling materials, or hurriedly finishing up a cleaning of your canal teeth, all of which can impact the speed at which your treatment will be completed.
How many trips does that require?
You will visit the dentist for most root canals one to two times, depending on the complexity of the tooth and if there is active infection that requires it to heal first before sealing the root canal.
Is there pain in a Root canal?
The procedure is only as uncomfortable as a filling thanks to local anaesthetic. When dentists’ appointments can be painful, you can refer to our Is a Dental Implant Painful article, which addresses similar comfort techniques that we employ throughout our dental visits.
