A root canal is not the worst thing in the world! In fact, it's not even the worst dental procedure you may require. Sometimes you can't save the natural tooth and need an extraction, in which case you also need a bridge to ensure your teeth don't shift and that your chewing is not impaired. THIS would be significantly worse than a root canal (both in terms of the procedure and the damage done to your pocket book).

The cost of a root canal can vary, but be sure to keep the following in mind: "You can always find someone willing to do it for less, but at what cost?"

The first thing to note is that root canals cost more from endodontists (dentists who among other things specialize in root canals) than from general dentists. Endodontists undergo an additional 2-3 years of training.

On average, anterior (front) teeth will cost around $740 per tooth while posterior (back) teeth will cost around $1000 per tooth. Prices on the west cost are around $200 more expensive on average than on the east coast. The cost that you'll pay if you have dental insurance will vary, but usually ranges from 40-60% of the costs listed above.

The good news is that root canals usually last a lifetime. Even root canals that eventually need more treatment can be detected early by routine x-rays, which greatly facilitates treatment.