If you've been told you need a root canal, the first question on your mind is probably the cost. Root canal cost in Australia depends mostly on which tooth needs treatment, with front teeth costing the least and back molars the most. As a rough guide, you might expect anywhere from around $900 for a simple front tooth to $3,400 for a complex molar, before any crown. Below, the team at ArtSmiles walks you through what drives the price, what the crown adds, what your health fund might cover, and how to get an accurate quote.
What affects the cost of a root canal?
A root canal treatment removes the infected or damaged pulp (the soft tissue inside your tooth) and seals the space to stop the problem coming back. The price isn't one fixed number, because no two teeth are the same.
The biggest factor is which tooth needs work. Each tooth has a different number of canals (the thin channels inside the root), and more canals means more time in the chair.
A few other things move the price:
How many canals the tooth has, and whether they're straight or curved and tricky to reach.
Whether this is a first-time treatment or a re-treatment of a tooth that was done before.
Whether you see a general dentist or an endodontist, a dentist who focuses on root canal treatment. An endodontist often charges a higher fee for more complex cases.
If you'd like a plain-language explainer first, here's what a root canal actually involves.
Root canal cost by tooth (a general guide)
Because the tooth matters so much, it helps to break the cost down that way. Front teeth (your incisors and canines) usually have a single canal, so they take the least time. Premolars sit in the middle. Molars at the back can have three or more canals, which is why they cost the most.
The ranges below are general AU guidance for the root canal itself, not a quote. Complexity, re-treatment, and the dentist you see all shift these figures.
Tooth | Typical canals | General guide (per tooth) |
|---|---|---|
Front tooth (incisor/canine) | 1 | About $900 to $1,500 |
Premolar | 1 to 2 | About $1,200 to $1,800 |
Molar (back tooth) | 3 or more | About $2,000 to $3,400 |
These figures cover the root canal procedure only. For most back teeth, there's one more cost to plan for.
Don't forget the crown
After a root canal, the tooth is more brittle than it was, because the pulp that once nourished it has been removed. To protect it from cracking, your dentist will often recommend a crown (a custom cap that fits over the whole tooth). This is especially common on molars, which do the heavy lifting when you chew.
The crown is a separate cost, and it's commonly a four-figure amount on top of the root canal. We mention it early so the total doesn't catch you off guard. You can read about the crown that usually follows and what's involved in fitting one.
Not every tooth needs a crown, and your dentist will talk you through whether yours does at your assessment.
Does health insurance cover root canal treatment?
It is a fair question once the numbers add up. If you have private health insurance with extras cover that includes major dental, your fund may rebate part of the cost of a root canal. How much depends on your policy, your annual limits, and any waiting periods that apply, so it's worth checking the details before you book.
Medicare generally does not cover root canal treatment for adults. There are limited exceptions, such as the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) for eligible children, which you can confirm through healthdirect.
The simplest approach is to ring your fund with the item numbers from your treatment plan and ask what they'll pay. Your dentist's reception team can help you find those numbers.
Is a root canal worth the cost?
It isn't a small amount of money, so it's worth weighing against the alternative. Here's the honest comparison. A root canal saves your natural tooth. The usual alternative is taking the tooth out, then replacing it, often with an implant or a bridge.
Replacing a missing tooth frequently costs more overall than saving the one you have. An implant, for example, involves the implant, the post, and the crown on top. You can see how those figures stack up in our guide to the cost of dental implants.
Keeping your own tooth also avoids the gap that can let neighbouring teeth drift. For many people, a root canal turns out to be the more cost-effective way to hold onto the tooth, though your dentist will help you weigh up what's right for your situation.
Getting an accurate quote
The ranges on this page are a starting point, not a price. The only way to know what your treatment will cost is an assessment, usually with an X-ray, so your dentist can see how many canals the tooth has and how complex they are.
After that, you'll be given a written quote that lists the root canal, any crown, and the item numbers you can take to your health fund. If you'd like to plan ahead, ask reception about payment options when you book. A clear quote means no surprises, and you can make your decision with the full picture in front of you.
References
Healthdirect Australia. (n.d.). Dental care. healthdirect.gov.au
Australian Dental Association. (n.d.). Oral health resources. teeth.org.au
A note on this article
This article is general information, not personal dental advice. Costs vary from person to person, and the only way to know what your treatment will cost is an assessment and a written quote from your dentist. If you have tooth pain or an infection, please book in to be seen.
The cover image on this article was generated by AI and is for illustration only. It is not a clinical photograph of a patient or a real case.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a root canal cost in Australia?
As a general guide, a root canal in Australia costs around $900 to $1,500 for a front tooth, $1,200 to $1,800 for a premolar, and $2,000 to $3,400 for a back molar. The tooth being treated is the main reason for the difference, since molars have more canals and take longer. These ranges cover the root canal itself and don't include a crown, which is often recommended afterwards. Your exact cost depends on the tooth and the complexity, so an assessment and written quote will give you the real figure.
Why does a molar root canal cost more?
Molars sit at the back of your mouth and usually have three or more canals (the thin channels inside the root), while a front tooth has just one. More canals means more time cleaning, shaping, and sealing each one, and the back of the mouth is harder to reach. Molar canals can also be curved or narrow, which adds to the complexity. All of that extra work is why a molar root canal generally costs more than the same treatment on a front tooth or premolar.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Often, yes, especially on back teeth. A root canal leaves the tooth more brittle, because the pulp inside has been removed, so it's more prone to cracking under chewing pressure. A crown (a custom cap that covers the whole tooth) protects it and helps it last. The crown is a separate cost on top of the root canal, commonly a four-figure amount. Not every tooth needs one, particularly some front teeth, and your dentist will tell you whether yours does at your assessment.
Does private health insurance cover root canal treatment?
If you have extras cover that includes major dental, your fund may rebate part of the cost. How much you get back depends on your policy, your annual limits, and any waiting periods, so it's worth checking before you book. Medicare generally doesn't cover root canal treatment for adults, though there are limited exceptions like the Child Dental Benefits Schedule for eligible children. The easiest way to find out is to call your fund with the item numbers from your treatment plan and ask what they'll pay.
Written by Dr. Cristian Dunker, BDSc, MBA.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Cristian Dunker.
