Last updated: October 2026
In Ontario, a root canal typically costs $700 to $1,600 per tooth before insurance. Front teeth are at the low end and molars at the high end, because molars have more canals and take longer to treat. Most back teeth also need a crown afterwards, which adds roughly $1,000 to $2,000. Private insurance and the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) can cover a large part of the cost.
This guide breaks down what you can expect to pay, what changes the price, and how coverage works. It is written for patients in Bells Corners, Nepean and across Ottawa.
Root Canal Cost in Ontario by Tooth
| Tooth | Typical cost (root canal only) | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Front tooth (incisor or canine) | $700 – $1,000 | Usually one canal; quickest to treat |
| Premolar | $850 – $1,200 | One or two canals |
| Molar | $1,100 – $1,600 | Three or more canals, often curved; takes the longest |
Typical ranges reported by Ontario dental offices in 2026, before insurance. Your fee depends on your tooth and is confirmed after an exam and x-ray.
Other costs that are often part of the treatment:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Exam and x-rays to diagnose the tooth | $75 – $200 |
| Post and core (rebuilds the tooth before a crown) | $150 – $300 |
| Crown after a root canal | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| Nitrous oxide sedation (optional) | Ask for a quote |
Root canal plus crown on a molar commonly adds up to $2,100 to $3,600 in total before coverage.
Ontario dentists set their own fees. Many use the Ontario Dental Association’s suggested fee guide as a reference, but the guide is not public and fees vary between offices. Always ask for a written estimate before treatment.
What Changes the Price of a Root Canal?
- Which tooth it is. More canals means more time and more cost. A molar costs more than a front tooth.
- How complex the canals are. Curved, narrow or calcified canals take longer to clean and seal.
- Whether it’s a first treatment or a retreatment. Redoing an old root canal usually costs more than the original, because the old filling material has to be removed first.
- Who does it. A general dentist treats most straightforward cases. Complex cases may be referred to an endodontist (a root canal specialist), whose fees are usually higher.
- Whether you need a crown. Back teeth almost always need one; front teeth often don’t.
- Sedation. Local anaesthetic is included. Nitrous oxide is optional for patients who feel anxious.
Do You Need a Crown After a Root Canal?
For most back teeth, yes. A root canal removes the inflamed or infected nerve, which leaves the tooth more brittle. Premolars and molars take heavy chewing forces, so a crown protects them from cracking and helps prevent reinfection.
Front teeth often don’t need a crown, especially if most of the tooth structure is intact. A filling may be enough.
If you skip a recommended crown, the tooth can fracture below the gumline. At that point it often can’t be saved, and replacing it costs far more than the crown would have.
Does Insurance or CDCP Cover a Root Canal?
Private dental insurance
Most workplace dental plans cover root canals under basic services, usually at a set percentage. Crowns are typically under major services, which are often covered at a lower percentage and count toward a yearly maximum. Ask us to send a pre-treatment estimate to your insurer so you know your share before you start.
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
Yes, CDCP covers root canal treatment (endodontic services). What you pay depends on your adjusted family net income:
| Adjusted family net income | Your co-payment |
|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | 0% |
| $70,000 – $79,999 | 40% of the CDCP fee |
| $80,000 – $89,999 | 60% of the CDCP fee |
Some related services need preauthorization from the plan first, including crowns and re-treatment of a previous root canal. If our fee is higher than the amount the CDCP pays, we tell you the difference before treatment.
How CDCP works at our office →
OHIP
OHIP does not cover root canals done in a dental office.
How Long Does a Root Canal Take?
Most root canals take one or two appointments of about 60 to 90 minutes each. Front teeth are often done in a single visit. Molars, or teeth with a lot of infection, may need a second visit so the tooth can settle before it is sealed.
What happens during treatment:
- Numbing. We use local anaesthetic so the tooth is numb. Nitrous oxide is available if you’d like help relaxing.
- Cleaning the canals. We make a small opening, remove the inflamed or infected nerve tissue, and clean and shape the canals.
- Sealing. The canals are filled and sealed to keep bacteria out.
- Restoring the tooth. We place a filling, and a crown later if needed, usually within a few weeks.
Recovery: The tooth may feel tender for a few days, especially when biting. Most people manage with over-the-counter pain relief and go back to work or school the same or the next day.
Is a Root Canal Painful?
A root canal is usually no more uncomfortable than a large filling. The pain people associate with root canals is mostly the toothache before treatment, caused by an inflamed or infected nerve. Treatment removes the source of that pain.
Root Canal vs. Pulling the Tooth: Which Costs Less?
Pulling the tooth is cheaper today, but usually more expensive over time.
| Option | Upfront cost | What happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Root canal + crown | $1,700 – $3,600 | You keep your natural tooth, often for life |
| Simple extraction | $150 – $400 | The gap usually needs replacing |
| Replace the tooth with an implant | $3,000 – $5,000+ | Plus several months of treatment |
| Replace the tooth with a bridge | $2,000 – $3,500+ | Neighbouring teeth are prepared for crowns |
Leaving a gap can let nearby teeth drift and tilt, and the bone where the tooth was can shrink over time. That is why dentists usually recommend saving a natural tooth when it can be saved.
Dental implants at our office → · Dental bridges →
Signs You Might Need a Root Canal
- Tooth pain that lingers after hot or cold food and drink
- Pain when you bite or chew
- A pimple or swelling on the gum near a tooth
- A tooth that is darkening in colour
- A deep cavity, or a crack or chip that reaches deep into the tooth
Sometimes there are no symptoms at all. A problem may first show up on a routine x-ray, which is one reason regular check-ups matter.
If you have facial swelling, a fever, or pain that keeps you awake, call us the same day. Emergency dental care →
How to Keep Your Root Canal Cost Down
- Don’t wait. A tooth treated early is simpler and cheaper, and you may avoid needing a crown or an extraction.
- Get a pre-treatment estimate from your insurer.
- Check if you qualify for CDCP. Many families earning under $90,000 without workplace dental insurance do.
- Ask about timing. If you have insurance, you can sometimes spread the root canal and the crown across two benefit years.
- Keep up with check-ups. Catching a cavity early is the cheapest way to avoid a root canal altogether.
Root Canal Treatment in Bells Corners and Nepean
For root canal treatment at Bells Corners Dental Studio, we diagnose the tooth with an exam and x-rays, explain your options in plain language and give you a written estimate before treatment. We direct bill many insurance providers and accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Nitrous oxide sedation is available if dental visits make you nervous.
Toothache or think you may need a root canal?
Book an exam and we’ll tell you what’s going on and what it will cost before we start.
Call or Text (613) 421-2222 New Patients2150 Robertson Rd, Unit 9, Nepean, ON K2H 9S1 · CDCP accepted · Direct billing
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a root canal cost in Ontario?
Typically $700 to $1,600 per tooth before insurance. Front teeth cost the least and molars the most. A crown afterwards usually adds $1,000 to $2,000.
Why is a molar root canal more expensive?
Molars have three or more canals that are often curved and harder to reach, so treatment takes longer.
Does CDCP cover root canals?
Yes. Root canal treatment is covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan. You may pay a co-payment depending on your family income, and re-treatment of an old root canal needs preauthorization.
Does OHIP cover a root canal?
No. OHIP does not cover root canals done in a dental office.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Most back teeth need a crown to protect them from cracking. Front teeth often only need a filling.
How long does a root canal take?
Usually one or two visits of about 60 to 90 minutes each. Molars and infected teeth more often need two visits.
Is it cheaper to pull the tooth?
Extraction costs less upfront, but replacing the missing tooth with an implant or bridge usually costs more than a root canal and crown.
What happens if I delay a root canal?
The infection can spread, cause an abscess and pain, and the tooth may become impossible to save. Delaying usually makes treatment more complex and more expensive.
Sources
- Government of Canada, What services are covered by the Canadian Dental Care Plan
- Government of Canada, Do you qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan
- American Association of Endodontists, Root Canal Explained
- American Association of Endodontists, Root Canal Myths vs. Facts
Prices are typical Ontario ranges for general information and are not a quote. Your cost depends on your tooth and is confirmed after an exam. This article is not a substitute for professional dental advice.
