Our Financial Philosophy for Affordable Root Canal Treatment
At Trail Ridge Dental, serving patients across Johnstown, Longmont, Loveland, Greeley, and Berthoud, we recognize that financial clarity is essential for your dental health. When you are experiencing severe pain from an infected tooth, the last thing you need is uncertainty about the root canal cost. Dr. Visger and his staff are committed to providing affordable root canal treatment without ever compromising on exceptional care. We believe saving your natural tooth through root canal therapy is one of the best investments you can make in your oral health.
While the cost of root canals can vary depending on several factors, our team strives for transparency in discussing the overall cost of your root canal treatment. We aim to ensure you understand every component of the fee, from the root canal procedure itself to the final restoration. This dental procedure, performed by our experienced dental professional, eliminates infected pulp and prevents tooth loss and subsequent complications like bone loss. We are here to relieve pain and provide you with a durable solution.
If you are concerned about the root canal cost or want to verify your insurance coverage before scheduling, please contact us. We are here to help patients across all our surrounding towns navigate their out of pocket expenses.
Call our Johnstown dentist’s office at 970-593-1010 or our Longmont office at 303-772-6960.
Understanding the Factors that Determine Root Canal Cost
The amount of the root canal ranges due to several factors that influence the complexity and duration of the endodontic procedures. It is important to remember that the average cost you see online can vary significantly based on regional differences (geographic location) and the specific dental offices providing care.
Key variables that determine how much does a root canal cost:
- Tooth Location: The tooth location dictates the internal structure. Front teeth (incisors and canines) have a single tooth’s root and are less complex, making the cost of a root canal generally lower. Molars, which are located in the back, have multiple roots and require greater dentist’s expertise and time to clean thoroughly.
- Severity of Infection: A severely infected tooth with advanced deep decay or significant inflammation may require multiple appointments or additional preparatory work before the main root canal treatment can begin.
- Type of Provider: While many dental offices offer root canal treatment, the fee structure vary depending on whether the procedure is performed by a general dentist or a highly specialized root canal specialist (endodontist).
- Additional Costs: The initial root canal procedure only involves cleaning the pulp; the tooth must be protected afterward. This leads to additional costs for the final restoration (see section below).
Breaking Down the Cost of Root Canals: What You Pay For
When you invest in root canal therapy at Trail Ridge Dental, you are paying for the complete process of saving your affected tooth. The initial root canal treatment cost covers the specialized work done inside the tooth’s root to remove all infected tissue and blood vessels.
The cost of root canals typically includes several phases:
- Diagnosis: Initial consultation, examination, and dental x-rays to confirm the need for a root canal.
- The Procedure: Administration of local anesthetic (local anesthesia), placement of a dental dam, creation of the access hole, removal of the infected pulp, cleaning and shaping the canals, and sealing the tooth with gutta percha and a temporary filling.
- Final Restoration: This is a major component of the overall cost. Because the treated tooth needs reinforcement, the crown placement fee—for a dental crown or other restoration—is a necessary additional costs to ensure the long-term viability and protect the remaining tooth structure.
Navigating Dental Insurance and Out of Pocket Expenses
Understanding your dental insurance is essential for determining your final out of pocket expenses. While the root canal cost may seem substantial, many dental insurance plans and most dental insurance plans recognize the value of saving a natural tooth and provide substantial insurance coverage for endodontic procedures.
When you contact our office, our team will help you verify the specifics of your particular plan:
- Insurance Coverage: We will verify your remaining annual maximum and your specific percentage of insurance coverage for major dental procedures. Most plans cover 50% to 80% of the root canal cost, significantly reducing your final financial responsibility.
- Payment Plans: For remaining balances or patients without dental insurance plans, we offer flexible payment plans to make affordable root canal treatment accessible immediately. This allows you to relieve pain now without undue financial stress.
- Discounts/Programs: We can discuss other programs or special arrangements that may lower the overall cost of your root canal. Our goal is to ensure the tooth’s health is prioritized, regardless of immediate finances.
The Long Term Benefits vs. Tooth Extraction
While tooth extraction might appear to be a cheaper option than the root canal treatment cost, it leads to tooth loss and requires far more costly additional procedures down the road. When you consider the long term benefits of root canal therapy, the initial investment is clearly justified.
The long-term value of saving your tooth includes:
- Preservation of Function: The treated tooth maintains its alignment, allowing you to continue chewing comfortably and preventing the migration of other teeth.
- Reduced Future Costs: The alternative to root canal is replacement with a bridge or dental implants, which can be multiple times the cost of a root canal and its dental crown. Choosing to save the natural tooth prevents repeated dental procedures and additional treatment.
- Overall Health: Maintaining your natural dentition is always the best path for your oral health and overall health.
Frequently Asked Questions
The root canal cost without dental insurance can vary significantly based on the tooth location (e.g., molars with multiple roots are more expensive than front teeth), geographic location, and the need for additional procedures like sedation. Our office provides a detailed estimate during your consultation, ensuring full transparency in your out of pocket expenses.
Yes, generally the dental crown is considered a separate fee from the root canal procedure. The crown is the final restoration necessary to protect the weakened tooth structure after the infected tissue is removed. We will provide a combined overall cost estimate for both the root canal and the crown placement.
Yes. While the root canal treatment cost can feel high initially, it is almost always more affordable root canal treatment in the long term than a dental implants replacement. The long term benefits of preserving your natural tooth outweigh the cost of an additional treatment required after tooth extraction.
Your Partner in Exceptional Care and Financial Clarity
Dr. Jeffrey B. Kravitz and his staff are committed to restoring your tooth’s health and relieving your severe pain while ensuring you have complete clarity on the financial investment. We believe in providing exceptional care that is accessible. Whether you are from Wakefield or surrounding communities, we invite you to speak with our dental professional regarding your insurance plan and the root canal cost estimate.
Don’t let financial anxiety delay the essential treatment needed to save your tooth.
Call our Johnstown office at 970-593-1010 or our Longmont dental office at 303-772-6960.