Endodontics · Root Canal · National Cost

How much does a root canal on a molar cost?

Average Root Canal cost in the US: $685-$1,800

🏥 Based on ADA fee survey data
📊 Population-weighted national average
🔄 Updated May 2026
✓ Reviewed by Pearl clinical team
$685 – $1800

Typical Root Canal range across the United States

📍 All 50 states covered 🏥 PPO typically covers up to ortho max

National average

$1050

Root Canal · D3310-D3330

What is this procedure?

About this procedure

A root canal on a molar is the most complex of the three root canal types. Molars typically have three or four canals — narrow channels inside each root that contain the tooth's nerve and blood supply. The endodontist or general dentist accesses the inside of the tooth, removes the infected or inflamed pulp, cleans and shapes each canal, and seals them with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. A crown is almost always required afterward to protect the tooth from fracture.

Molar root canals are typically performed by an endodontist (a root canal specialist) because of the complexity and the difficulty of finding all the canals. Treatment is usually completed in one or two visits, with each visit lasting 60–90 minutes.

Price factors

What affects this cost?

  • Endodontist vs. general dentist: Endodontists charge more than general dentists, but their success rate on complex molar cases is significantly higher.
  • Number of canals: Molars usually have 3–4 canals. A fourth canal (common in upper first molars) adds time and cost.
  • Retreatment vs. first-time: A retreatment on a previously root-canaled tooth is more difficult and more expensive than a first-time root canal.
  • Calcified canals: Older patients or trauma cases can have hardened, narrowed canals that require microscope-assisted treatment.
  • Crown afterward: A crown is almost always required after a molar root canal — separately billed.

By state

Where does this cost the most and least?

Pearl tracks pricing across all 50 states. Below are the highest and lowest cost markets — click any state for a full state-level cost breakdown across covered cities.

Highest cost states

Lowest cost states

Quote checker

What should your quote include?

Different providers bundle costs differently. Here's what a complete quote typically covers — and what's often left out.

USUALLY INCLUDED IN THE QUOTED PRICE

  • Local anesthesia
  • Rubber dam isolation
  • Pulp removal and canal cleaning
  • Filling and sealing of canals
  • Temporary filling on top
  • Post-op x-ray to confirm seal

OFTEN BILLED SEPARATELY — ASK BEFORE YOU AGREE

  • Crown (always recommended for molars — separately billed)
  • Build-up (post and core) before the crown
  • Sedation beyond local anesthesia
  • Apicoectomy if non-surgical treatment fails
  • Replacement if the procedure must be redone

Health stakes

What happens if you delay treatment?

  • An infected pulp progresses to an abscess at the root tip
  • The infection can spread to surrounding bone and adjacent teeth
  • Severe pain and swelling typically force emergency treatment within days to weeks
  • A tooth that fractures from internal pressure may not be savable

Before you agree

Questions to ask your provider

  • Is this a first-time root canal or a retreatment?
  • Will an endodontist do this, or my general dentist?
  • How many canals does the tooth have?
  • What's the cost of the crown afterward?
  • What's the success rate, and what happens if it fails?

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Molars have 3–4 canals to clean and seal, versus a single canal on a front tooth. The procedure takes 60–90 minutes on a molar versus 30–45 on a front tooth, and the complexity often requires an endodontist instead of a general dentist.
Most PPO plans cover root canals at 50–80% after the deductible, up to the annual maximum. Specialist (endodontist) fees are often covered at the same rate as general dentist fees, though some plans have specialist-specific terms.
Most general dentists refer molar root canals to endodontists because of the complexity. The success rate at an endodontist is generally higher, especially for retreatments or calcified canals.
With modern local anesthesia, the procedure itself is usually no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. Some post-op tenderness is common for a few days afterward.
The main alternative is extraction, often followed by an implant or bridge. Saving the natural tooth via root canal is usually less expensive than extraction + implant, and preserves the natural tooth structure.

See local pricing

Compare what this costs in your city.

Pearl's cost data covers 485 U.S. cities. Search by procedure and zip — get a localized fee range and what to expect from your insurance.

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