Root canal cost calculator
Estimate what a root canal will cost you after any insurance or rebate.
A root canal at a private practice in Australia typically costs $870–2,660, and most patients pay around $1,760 (research to 7 Sept 2026). Front teeth with one canal sit at the lower end and molars with three or four canals at the top, and a specialist endodontist charges more than a general dentist. A crown is usually needed afterwards on a back tooth, so this calculator adds it in; Medicare does not contribute for adults.
Root canal cost at a glance
Private-practice fees in local currency. The calculator below starts at the typical figure for the selected country. Select a row to switch country.
- Total before rebate
- $3,410
What affects the cost
- Which tooth it is: front teeth have one canal, molars three or four, so molars cost more.
- Whether a general dentist or a specialist endodontist does the treatment.
- Whether the tooth needs a crown afterwards, which is usual on molars.
- Whether it is a first treatment or a re-treatment of a failed root canal, which costs more.
- Whether a post and core is needed to rebuild the tooth before the crown.
- The number of visits, since infected teeth sometimes need two appointments.
How this is calculated
- Total = number of teeth × fee + crown afterwards (usually needed on molars).
- Out-of-pocket = total − insurance or rebate.
- Ranges come from fees published by private practices in each country (research to 7 Sept 2026). An examination and written treatment plan are needed for an exact fee.
Insurance and rebates in Australia
There is no Medicare rebate for root canal treatment in Australia. Extras policies list endodontics under major dental, usually with a twelve-month waiting period, and pay a set benefit per canal or per tooth up to the annual major dental limit, so a molar may attract a higher rebate than a front tooth. The crown afterwards is claimed separately and may share the same limit.
Frequently asked questions
Do I always need a crown after a root canal?
On molars and premolars, almost always, because the tooth becomes brittle and can split under chewing forces. A front tooth with plenty of structure left can sometimes be restored with a filling instead.
Is it cheaper to extract the tooth instead?
Extraction is cheaper on the day, but replacing the tooth with an implant or bridge costs far more than a root canal and crown. Leaving a gap can also let neighbouring teeth drift.
Why does an endodontist cost more?
Specialists use operating microscopes and take on complex or re-treatment cases, and their success rates on difficult molars are higher. For a straightforward front tooth a general dentist is usually fine.
How long does a root canal treated tooth last?
With a good seal and a crown, most last many years and often a lifetime. Failure is usually due to a leaking restoration or a missed canal, both of which are more likely if the crown is delayed.
What if the root canal fails?
Re-treatment or a small surgical procedure called an apicoectomy can often save the tooth, at additional cost. Ask whether the practice offers any guarantee period on its root canal work.
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Ranges researched to 7 Sept 2026. Last updated 18 Sept 2026. See our methodology.