The Shocking Truth About Root Canals

If you think root canals are painful, wait until you see the bill.

Root canals are one of the most common and expensive dental procedures in the US, costing an average of $1,067 without insurance¹. But what if you can’t afford it? What if you have Medicaid, which covers almost everything except root canals²? What if you have a serious infection that could kill you if left untreated³?

You may think this is a rare scenario, but it’s not. I know this because I used to work at a dental clinic, and I saw firsthand how corrupt and unjust the system is. I saw patients suffer from unbearable pain and life-threatening complications because they couldn’t afford a root canal. I saw dentists charge the same price for root canals, regardless of the tooth’s condition or the patient’s situation. I saw two patients die from untreated root canals, because the bacteria spread from their gums to their ears and then to their brains. It was horrible.

But why is this happening? Why are root canals so expensive and inaccessible in America? And what can we do to change it? In this blog post, I will reveal the shocking truth about root canals in America, and how you can protect yourself and your family from this dental nightmare.

What is a root canal and why do you need one?

A root canal is a nonsurgical procedure that saves and repairs a damaged tooth. It involves removing the infected pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth) and cleaning and sealing the canals (the passageways within the tooth’s root)⁴.

You may need a root canal if you have a crack, cavity, or injury that exposes the pulp to bacteria. This can cause inflammation, infection, and necrosis (death) of the pulp, which can lead to severe pain, swelling, and abscess (a pus-filled pocket around the tooth)⁴.

If left untreated, a root canal infection can spread to the surrounding tissues, such as the gums, jawbone, and sinuses. It can also enter the bloodstream and affect other parts of the body, such as the heart, brain, and lungs. This can result in serious and potentially fatal complications, such as sepsis (a life-threatening response to infection), meningitis (an inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord), and endocarditis (an infection of the heart valves)³⁵.

How much does a root canal cost and who pays for it?

The cost of a root canal depends on several factors, such as the tooth’s location, the dentist’s experience, and the amount of restoration needed. According to my web search, the average cost of a root canal without insurance is about $1,067, but it can vary from $620 to $1,500¹. With insurance, the cost can be between $213 and $640, but it still depends on the plan and the provider¹.

However, not everyone has insurance or can afford it. According to the American Dental Association, about 74 million Americans have no dental coverage, and about 47% of adults aged 19 to 64 have not visited a dentist in the past year. Even those who have insurance may face limitations, such as waiting periods, deductibles, copays, and annual maximums.

One of the most disadvantaged groups is the low-income population, who rely on Medicaid for their health care. Medicaid is a federal and state program that provides health coverage for people with limited income and resources. It covers almost everything, from preventive care to emergency services. But it does not cover root canals².

This means that if you have Medicaid and need a root canal, you have to pay out of pocket or find another way to get it done. But what if you don’t have $1,000 or more to spare? What if you have other expenses, such as rent, food, and utilities? What if you have other health problems, such as diabetes, hypertension, or asthma?

You may think that you can just ignore the problem and hope it goes away. But that’s not a good idea. As I mentioned before, a root canal infection can cause serious and life-threatening complications. It can also affect your quality of life, such as your ability to eat, speak, work, and socialize. It can also affect your self-esteem, as your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you.

Why are root canals so expensive and inaccessible in America?

There are many reasons why root canals are so expensive and inaccessible in America, but here are some of the main ones:

Lack of regulation: Unlike other medical services, dental services are not regulated by the government or subject to price transparency. This means that dentists can charge whatever they want for root canals, and patients have no way of knowing or comparing the prices before they get the treatment. This also means that there is no standard or consistent pricing for root canals, and the prices can vary widely depending on the dentist, the location, and the market.
Lack of competition: Another reason why root canals are so expensive is that there is a lack of competition in the dental market. According to a report by the American Dental Association, there are about 200,000 dentists in the US, but only about 15,000 are endodontists, who are specialists in root canals. This means that there is a shortage of supply and a high demand for root canal services, which drives up the prices. It also means that patients have fewer choices and less bargaining power when it comes to finding a dentist or an endodontist who can perform a root canal.
Lack of coverage: Perhaps the most obvious reason why root canals are so inaccessible is that they are not covered by most insurance plans, including Medicaid. As I explained before, this leaves millions of Americans without access to affordable and quality dental care, especially those who need it the most. It also creates a vicious cycle, where people avoid going to the dentist because they can’t afford it, and then end up needing more expensive and complex treatments, such as root canals, extractions, or implants.

What can we do to change it?

The situation of root canals in America is unacceptable and unsustainable. It is not only a dental problem, but also a social, economic, and public health problem. It affects millions of people, especially the poor, the elderly, the disabled, and the minorities. It costs billions of dollars, not only in direct expenses, but also in indirect costs, such as lost productivity, reduced quality of life, and increased morbidity and mortality.

We need to change it. We need to make root canals more affordable and accessible for everyone. We need to ensure that everyone has access to preventive and restorative dental care, regardless of their income, insurance, or location. We need to improve the regulation, competition, and transparency of the dental market, and ensure that dentists and endodontists charge fair and reasonable prices for root canals. We need to advocate for more funding and support for dental research, education, and innovation, and develop new and better ways to treat and prevent root canal infections.

We can do it. We can make a difference. We can start by raising awareness and educating ourselves and others about the importance and urgency of root canals. We can share our stories and experiences, and listen to those of others. We can contact our representatives and policymakers, and urge them to take action and support dental reform. We can join or support organizations and movements that fight for dental justice and equity, such as the American Dental Association, the American Association of Endodontists, and the Campaign for Dental Health .

We can do it. We can save our teeth, and our lives.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 2/3/2024
(1) How Much Should I Expect a Root Canal to Cost? – GoodRx. https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/oral/root-canal-cost.
(2) Root canal cost | Delta Dental. https://www.deltadental.com/us/en/protect-my-smile/procedures/root-canal/treatment-cost.html.
(3) Average Cost of a Root Canal & How to Save – ValuePenguin. https://www.valuepenguin.com/average-cost-root-canal.
(4) Does Medicare Cover Dental Root Canals? | MedicareFAQ. https://www.medicarefaq.com/faqs/does-medicare-cover-root-canals/.
(5) How Much Is a Root Canal With Dental Insurance? – Benzinga. https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-much-is-a-root-canal-with-dental-insurance.