Last updated October 2026. Fee figures come from the BC Dental Association’s 2026 Abbreviated Suggested Fee Guide, effective February 1, 2026.
Quick answer: In BC, the 2026 suggested fee for an uncomplicated root canal is $669 for a one-canal tooth, $853 for two canals, $1,196 for three canals and $1,346 for four or more, before the crown. Dentists set their own fees, so your exact price depends on the tooth, how complex the case is and the clinic.
If your dentist has just told you that you need a root canal, the price is probably your next question. Most published BC figures are loose ranges like “$600 to $1,500” with no source behind them. This guide uses the province’s fee guide instead, then covers what gets billed on top of the root canal, what a crown adds, what insurance and the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) typically cover, and how the cost compares with pulling the tooth. For a step-by-step look at the treatment itself, see our complete root canal guide.
How Much Does a Root Canal Cost in BC?
A root canal in BC costs roughly $669 to $1,346 at 2026 suggested-fee rates, depending on how many canals the tooth has. Front teeth usually have one canal, premolars one or two, and molars three or four.
| Tooth | Usual canals | 2026 BCDA suggested fee |
| Front teeth (incisors, canines) | 1 | $669 |
| Premolars | 1–2 | 669–853 |
| Molars | 3–4 | 1,196–1,346 |
The fee covers the clinical procedure, including the X-rays needed to do it, but not the final filling or crown. The guide is a suggestion rather than a price list. Each dentist sets their own fees, so a clinic may charge somewhat more or less. Teeth with curved or calcified canals, or a tooth that needs an earlier root canal redone, can be billed at a higher level of complexity.
To see how the procedure works from numbing to sealing, visit our root canal treatment page, which explains the process at our Abbotsford office.
What Else Gets Billed With a Root Canal?
A root canal is rarely a single line on your estimate. These are the other items that commonly appear, with their 2026 suggested fees:
- Emergency exam: $76.90 (a limited new-patient exam is $68.80)
- X-ray (single periapical image): $23.70
- Pulp vitality test: about $143 for one unit of time
- Emergency drainage (open and drain): $123
- Core build-up before a crown: $230
- Prefabricated post, if needed: $245
- Crown: $1,104, plus a separate lab fee
- Sedation: billed separately where it’s used. Our guide to sedation for root canals covers the options.
Ask for an itemized estimate so you can see which of these apply to your tooth. If you’re in pain and the infection needs attention first, drainage and an urgent visit may come before the root canal itself. Our emergency dentistry page explains how those visits work.
Root Canal and Crown Cost Without Insurance
Without insurance, a root canal and crown at guide rates comes to roughly $1,773 for a front tooth, $2,187 for a two-canal premolar and $2,530 for a three-canal molar, before the lab fee for the crown. Here is how those totals build up:
| Scenario | Root canal | Build-up | Crown | Approx. total |
| Front tooth, crown needed | $669 | not needed | $1,104 | $1,773 |
| Premolar, two canals | $853 | $230 | $1,104 | $2,187 |
| Molar, three canals | $1,196 | $230 | $1,104 | $2,530 |
Not every tooth needs every step. A front tooth with plenty of healthy structure left may only need a filling after its root canal, which costs less. Back teeth do the heavy chewing, and a root canal-treated tooth can become brittle, so a crown is more often recommended there. Our post on whether you need a crown after a root canal explains how that decision is made. Our guide to dental crown types and costs compares the materials, and you can read about the dental crowns we place in Abbotsford.
These totals are built from guide fees for illustration. They are not a personal quote, and your final figure is confirmed after an exam.
How Much Is a Root Canal With Insurance?
With private insurance, many Canadian plans cover root canals at 50% to 80% of the plan’s recognized fee, after any deductible and up to your annual maximum. Using the guide fee for a three-canal molar ($1,196):
- At 80% coverage, the plan pays $956.80 and you pay $239.20.
- At 50% coverage, the plan pays $598 and you pay $598.
The crown usually draws on the same annual maximum. If your plan covers 80% and your maximum is $1,500, a $2,530 root canal, build-up and crown would exceed it. The plan would pay $1,500 and you would pay about $1,030, before the lab fee.
Two things can widen the gap. Some plans reimburse against their own fee schedule rather than your dentist’s fee, and annual maximums reset on a fixed date. Ask your insurer for a pre-determination before treatment. Timing also matters: if your root canal falls late in the year, completing the crown after your benefits renew can let you use two annual maximums instead of one. Always ask your dentist how long the tooth can safely wait for its crown. Our post on using your dental benefits before year-end deadlines walks through the planning.
Does the CDCP Cover Root Canals?
Yes. The Canadian Dental Care Plan covers endodontic services, including root canals, for eligible residents. To qualify you need an adjusted family net income under $90,000, no access to private dental insurance and Canadian residency for tax purposes. Your share depends on income:
| Adjusted family net income | Your co-payment | CDCP pays |
| Under $70,000 | 0% | 100% |
| 70,000–79,999 | 40% | 60% |
| 80,000–89,999 | 60% | 40% |
| $90,000 or more | Not eligible | n/a |
CDCP pays at its own established fees, so if a provider charges more, you may owe the difference on top of your co-payment. Some cases, such as retreatment, may need pre-authorization. Check your eligibility on the Government of Canada CDCP page and ask any clinic whether it accepts CDCP before you book. If you have coverage questions about a specific tooth, contact our team.
Is It Cheaper to Pull the Tooth or Get a Root Canal?
Pulling the tooth is cheaper on the day. The 2026 suggested fee is $185 for a straightforward extraction, $312 for one that needs a flap or sectioning, and $467 for a particularly difficult one. But the cost doesn’t end there. A missing tooth usually needs replacing to protect your bite, and the replacement is where the bill climbs.
Here is the fuller comparison:
- Root canal, build-up and crown (molar): about $2,530 before the lab fee, and you keep your natural tooth and root.
- Extraction (185–467) plus a replacement: see our dental implant cost guide and dental bridge cost guide, then our comparison of implants vs. bridges.
Neither option is always right. A tooth that is badly cracked below the gumline or can’t be restored may be better removed, and our cracked tooth repair page explains when a tooth can be saved. For the full decision framework, read should I get a root canal or pull the tooth? If the tooth is already infected, our infected tooth extraction guide covers what removal involves, and the tooth extraction page covers the procedure itself.
How Does BC Compare With Other Provinces?
BC sits in the middle. Published 2026 provincial fee guides put a three-canal molar root canal between about $1,100 and $1,355 across the provinces with a readable guide. BC’s suggested fee is $1,196, while Alberta’s is $1,354.65. Fees also differ between clinics inside BC, so a written estimate is more useful than an average.
Why Root Canal Prices Vary Between Clinics
Several factors move the final number up or down:
- Number of canals and tooth position. More canals mean more time and more materials, which is why molars cost more than front teeth.
- Complexity. Curved, narrow or calcified canals, and teeth with long-standing infection, take longer to clean and seal.
- Retreatment. Redoing an earlier root canal is more involved than a first-time treatment.
- Who performs it. General dentists complete most root canals. Specialist (endodontist) fees are typically higher.
- Anesthesia and sedation. Local anesthesia is standard, while added sedation may be billed separately.
- The restoration. The crown or filling that protects the tooth afterward is its own fee.
Is a Root Canal Worth the Cost?
For most patients, yes. A root canal relieves the pain of an infected tooth and lets you keep your natural tooth, and modern root canals have high success rates. Our root canal treatment guide covers what the procedure feels like and how recovery goes.
Waiting rarely saves money, because an untreated infection can spread and turn a planned visit into an urgent one. If you’re in severe pain now, read what to do if tooth pain is unbearable and our guide to same-day emergency dental appointments.
6 Ways to Keep Your Root Canal Cost Down
- Treat cavities early. A small cavity caught in time needs a filling, which costs far less than a root canal. Our dental fillings page explains your options.
- Ask for an itemized estimate. Seeing the root canal, build-up, crown and any sedation as separate lines makes it easier to plan and compare.
- Request an insurance pre-determination. Your insurer can tell you what it will pay before treatment starts, so there are no surprises.
- Plan around your benefit year. Spreading the root canal and crown across two benefit periods can raise the amount your plan pays, if your dentist agrees the timing is safe.
- Check CDCP eligibility. If you have no private coverage and your family income is under $90,000, the plan may cover much of the cost.
- Ask about payment options. Many clinics can discuss how to spread out larger treatment costs, so it’s worth asking before you book.
Root Canal Cost FAQs
How much does a root canal cost in BC?
At 2026 suggested-fee rates, a root canal in BC costs $669 for a one-canal tooth, $853 for two canals, $1,196 for three canals and $1,346 for four or more. The crown is extra, and each clinic sets its own fees.
How much is a root canal with insurance?
Many Canadian plans cover root canals at 50% to 80%. On a $1,196 molar root canal, you would pay about $239 at 80% coverage or $598 at 50%, subject to your deductible and annual maximum.
How much does a root canal and crown cost without insurance?
At guide rates, a root canal and crown costs about $1,773 for a front tooth, $2,187 for a premolar and $2,530 for a molar, plus the crown’s lab fee.
Is it cheaper to pull a tooth or get a root canal?
Pulling a tooth costs less upfront, at $185 to $467 at guide rates. Replacing it with a bridge or implant adds to the total, so the long-term cost is often closer than it first appears.
Does the CDCP cover root canals?
Yes, for eligible residents with an adjusted family net income under $90,000 and no private dental insurance. Co-payments run from 0% to 60% depending on income.
Why is a root canal so expensive?
The treatment is detailed, takes time and often involves several canals, and the price includes the X-rays and anesthesia needed to complete it safely.
Will my dentist charge the BCDA suggested fee?
Not necessarily. The guide is a benchmark, and dentists set their own fees. Ask for a written estimate after your exam.
Book a Root Canal Assessment in Abbotsford
If you suspect you need a root canal, an exam and X-ray are the fastest way to get a clear plan and a real number for your tooth. Contact Medora Dental Care or call (604) 746-1295, and see our root canal treatment in Abbotsford page for what to expect.
Sources: BC Dental Association 2026 Abbreviated Suggested Fee Guide (effective February 1, 2026); Government of Canada, Canadian Dental Care Plan.