A root canal costs $600 to $1,600 per tooth without insurance in 2026
A root canal costs $600 to $1,600 per tooth without insurance in 2026. NewMouth lists an average of $1,109. Humana lists $900 to $1,175 by tooth. ThePricer lists $1,200 for a front tooth and $1,500 for a molar. A crown is a separate bill, and Humana lists crowns at $1,091 to $1,440. The tooth you need treated sets the price.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| NewMouth | NewMouth lists a root canal at $1,109 and a crown at $1,416 on average without insurance. |
| Humana | Humana lists a root canal at $900 to $1,175 depending on tooth location and a crown at $1,091 to $1,440. |
| Spirit Dental | Spirit Dental lists root canals at $600 to $1,600 and crowns at $1,000 to $3,000. |
| ThePricer | ThePricer lists $1,200 for a front tooth, $1,300 for a premolar, and $1,500 for a molar, and about $2,600 to $3,500 for a molar root canal plus a crown. |
Root canal prices by tooth and source
| Item | Cost without insurance | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Root canal, average | $1,109 | NewMouth |
| Root canal, by tooth location | $900 to $1,175 | Humana |
| Root canal, wide range | $600 to $1,600 | Spirit Dental |
| Front tooth | $1,200 | ThePricer |
| Premolar | $1,300 | ThePricer |
| Molar | $1,500 | ThePricer |
| Crown after a root canal | $1,091 to $1,440 | Humana |
| Molar root canal plus a crown | $2,600 to $3,500 | ThePricer |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Which tooth | Back teeth have more canals, so they cost more. ThePricer lists $1,200 for a front tooth, $1,300 for a premolar, and $1,500 for a molar. |
| The crown | The root canal price does not include the final crown. ThePricer says a molar root canal plus a crown comes to about $2,600 to $3,500. |
| Your office | Prices differ from one dentist to another. Humana lists $900 to $1,175, while Spirit Dental lists a wider $600 to $1,600. |
| Where you live | Humana says costs can vary from one state to another, and its own numbers come from Orlando, Florida. |
| Source of the number | A national average, an out of network charge, and a local quote can all differ. ThePricer cites Delta Dental 2026 benchmarks for out of network charges. |
What the price includes
A root canal price covers the work to clean the inside of the tooth and seal it. It does not include the final restoration. ThePricer says the crown is a separate charge that adds a lot to the total. X-rays and follow up visits may be billed on their own, so ask the office what its quote covers. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Does insurance cover it
Dental insurance is a separate plan from health insurance. Spirit Dental says most dental plans cover two cleanings a year in full. A root canal and a crown are often covered in part, but plans differ. Check your yearly limit, any wait time, and which dentists are in your network. If you have no plan, ask the office for its cash price and whether it gives a lower rate for paying the same day. Ask for a written plan that prices the root canal and the crown apart, before you agree to start.
When a doctor orders it
A dentist may suggest a root canal when the inside of a tooth is hurt or infected. Signs can be deep pain, a bump on the gum, or a tooth that hurts with heat or cold. X-rays help the dentist decide. Waiting can let the problem grow. Ask your dentist what other choices you have and what each one costs.
How to judge your quote
- Is the price for one tooth, and which tooth is it?
- Does the quote include the crown, or only the root canal?
- Are X-rays and follow up visits listed?
- Did you get the cash price in writing before the work?
- Compare the total with the range above: $600 to $1,600 per tooth for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Ask the office for a cash price and a written plan that lists the root canal and the crown as separate prices.
- Call two or three dentists and compare the same tooth. Humana and Spirit Dental differ by hundreds of dollars in their ranges alone.
- Ask about a payment plan for the root canal and the crown. Spreading the cost can help you finish the work in time.
- Ask your dentist what the crown could be made of, and get a price for each choice. Humana lists crowns at $1,091 to $1,440.
- Ask whether your dental plan covers part of the work. Check the yearly limit and any wait time before you start.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from NewMouth, Humana, Spirit Dental and ThePricer. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much is a root canal without insurance?
NewMouth lists an average of $1,109. Spirit Dental lists $600 to $1,600, and Humana lists $900 to $1,175.
Does the root canal price include a crown?
No. ThePricer says the root canal fee does not include the final restoration. Humana lists crowns at $1,091 to $1,440.
How much is a root canal plus a crown?
ThePricer says a molar root canal plus a crown of $1,100 to $2,000 comes to about $2,600 to $3,500.
Why do back teeth cost more?
ThePricer lists $1,200 for a front tooth and $1,500 for a molar. Back teeth have more canals to clean.
Does dental insurance help?
Spirit Dental says most dental insurance covers two cleanings a year in full. A root canal depends on your plan, so check what it pays.