Two people can both be told they need a root canal and get very different quotes, and the main reason is usually which tooth is involved. As a general market guide, root canal treatment ranges from about $1,000 for a front tooth to about $3,000 for a molar, before any crown. For a back tooth, the crown that usually follows is a second cost worth planning for from the start.
Canal count drives most of the fee
Root canal treatment means finding every canal inside the root, cleaning and shaping it, then sealing it. Front teeth usually have a single canal. Molars at the back usually have three or more, often narrow or curved, and each one takes time to locate and treat. Premolars generally sit between the two.
Other things can move the price within that range:
- how curved, narrow or calcified the canals are
- whether the tooth has been treated before, since retreatment usually takes longer
- whether an infection means an extra visit is needed
- whether the treatment is done by a general dentist or by a registered specialist endodontist, who usually sees more complex cases
A back tooth usually needs a crown as well
Once a back tooth has had root canal treatment, it is usually more heavily filled and more prone to cracking under chewing forces. A study of 203 root-filled teeth (Aquilino and Caplan, Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 2002) found that teeth not crowned after treatment were lost at about six times the rate of crowned teeth. For that reason, most dentists recommend a crown, or sometimes an onlay that covers the biting cusps, on a root-filled molar or premolar.
A crown typically costs $1,500 to $2,500 as a general market range. Front teeth take lighter forces and may not always need one, depending on how much tooth remains. Our article on when a crown is needed after a root canal goes into the details.
Keeping the tooth compared with replacing it
Taking a tooth out costs less on the day, but a gap often leads to a decision about replacing it. The table below uses typical Australian market ranges, not Lumi fees, to show how the totals can compare.
| Option | Typical market range | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Root canal treatment | About $1,000 (front) to $3,000 (molar) | Keeps your own tooth; one or more visits |
| Crown after root canal | $1,500 to $2,500 | Usually recommended for back teeth |
| Simple extraction | $200 to $350 | Removes the tooth; leaves a gap |
| Surgical extraction | $400 to $900 | For teeth that cannot be lifted out simply |
| Single implant with crown | $4,000 to $7,000 | Replaces the tooth after healing; several months |
| Three-unit bridge | $3,500 to $6,500 | Uses the teeth either side as supports |
For many people, a root canal and crown on a molar ends up in a similar range to, or lower than, an extraction followed by an implant, and it keeps the natural tooth. Extraction can still be the right choice when a tooth is cracked below the gum, too broken down to restore, or when cost is the deciding factor and a gap is acceptable. Our guides to root canal versus extraction and tooth extraction costs cover those trade-offs.
Health funds and payment
Private health insurance with dental extras usually pays part of the cost of root canal treatment and crowns. How much depends on your fund, your level of cover and your annual limits. Some funds treat these as major dental, and major dental waiting periods are commonly 12 months, so check with your fund before booking. Ask the practice for the item numbers on your written treatment plan with fees so the fund can tell you your rebate in advance.
If you need to spread the cost, ask about payment plans. Lumi Dental claims health fund rebates on the spot through HICAPS, and current payment options are listed on our current deals page.
Why delay can cost more
A tooth that needs root canal treatment does not heal on its own. Infection can spread, and a tooth that could have been saved may break down to the point where extraction is the only option. Acting while the tooth is still restorable keeps both options open.
Questions about root canal costs
Does the root canal price include the crown?
Usually not. The root canal and the crown are separate items with separate fees. For a back tooth, it is worth budgeting for both.
Can the quote change after treatment starts?
Sometimes. An extra canal, a blocked canal or an infection that needs more time can add a visit. Your dentist should explain this possibility before starting and tell you if anything changes.
Is treatment by an endodontist more expensive?
Specialist fees are often higher, and specialists commonly manage the more complex cases. Many straightforward root canals are completed by general dentists, and complex cases may be referred.
At Lumi Dental, we can examine the tooth, take the X-rays needed to plan treatment and explain your options, and you will usually receive a written treatment plan, often by email, before anything begins. See our current offers or book with a general dentist in Melrose Park. This article is general information and not a substitute for personal dental advice.
