verified_userIndependent data • Reviewed June 2026

Root Canal Cost in Canada (2026)

Name: Root canal cost by province in Canada (2026, molar)
Creator: Real Dental Costs
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

A molar root canal in Canada costs $1,101–$1,579 CAD depending on the province (national average $1,194 from our dataset). Anterior teeth and premolars are cheaper — typically $700–$1,100. Standard root canals are covered by the CDCP without pre-authorization. Ontario is the most expensive province; Prince Edward Island is the cheapest.

Estimate your CDCP out-of-pocket cost

Standard root canals — anterior, premolar, and first and second molar — are covered under the CDCP endodontic section without pre-authorization. Select your province and income tier to see your estimated out-of-pocket cost under the 2026 CDCP Dental Benefit Grids.

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Root Canal CDCP Out-of-Pocket Calculator

Province × income tier — 2026 figures in CAD

Tooth Type

Provider Type

Crown Included

paymentsEstimated Cost

$2,851

Low Estimate

$3,783

Average Cost

$5,002

High Estimate

* Estimates based on 2025–2026 provincial suggested-fee guides (CAD). Actual costs vary by province and provider; figures flagged as estimates are modelled.

The CDCP reimburses on its own established fee grid, which is often lower than the provincial suggested-fee guide. Even at the under-$70,000 tier (100% coverage) you may owe a balance if your dentist bills above the CDCP rate. Ask upfront whether your dentist accepts CDCP assignment.

Root canal cost by province (2026, molar)

The chart below uses molar endodontic treatment fees from 2026 provincial suggested-fee guides, compiled in our open dataset (DOI 10.5281/zenodo.20744781). Manitoba, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland are flagged as estimates because their fee guides are members-only or not publicly released.

Root Canal Cost by Province (Canada 2026)

Molar root canal (endodontic treatment). Source: Real Dental Costs analysis of 2025–2026 provincial suggested-fee guides (ODA, DAPEI, NSDA, NBDS, MDA, CDSS, BCDA, Alberta DA, ACDQ, NLDHA + Atlantic modelling). Manitoba, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland marked as estimates.

Prince Edward Island$1,101 – $1,101

$1,101

Manitoba (est.)$1,120 – $1,180

$1,150

Nova Scotia$1,180 – $1,180

$1,180

New Brunswick$1,200 – $1,200

$1,200

Alberta$1,230 – $1,230

$1,230

Quebec (est.)$1,150 – $1,210

$1,180

British Columbia$1,250 – $1,250

$1,250

Newfoundland (est.)$1,100 – $1,200

$1,150

Saskatchewan (est.)$1,120 – $1,230

$1,175

Ontario$1,417 – $1,579

$1,498

Low–HighAverage

Province	Molar Root Canal (CAD)	Source	Official?
Prince Edward Island	$1,101	DAPEI 2026	Yes
Manitoba (est.)	~$1,150	MDA 2026 (non-public)	Estimate
Nova Scotia	$1,180	NSDA 2026	Yes
New Brunswick	$1,200	NBDS 2026	Yes
Alberta	$1,230	Alberta DA 2026	Yes
Quebec (est.)	~$1,180	ACDQ 2026 (members-only)	Estimate
National average	~$1,194	Real Dental Costs dataset	—
Saskatchewan (est.)	~$1,175	CDSS + modelling	Estimate
Newfoundland (est.)	~$1,150	NLDHA + Atlantic modelling	Estimate
British Columbia	$1,250	BCDA 2026	Yes
Ontario	$1,417–$1,579	ODA 2026	Yes

Molar vs anterior vs premolar: cost differences

Root canal cost varies significantly by tooth type because the number of canals determines procedure time and complexity.

Anterior teeth (incisors and canines) have a single canal. They are the simplest and least expensive root canals — typically $700–$950 CAD nationally. Most general dentists handle these without referral to an endodontist.

Premolars have one or two canals. They sit in the middle of the cost range at approximately $900–$1,150 CAD nationally. The second premolar occasionally has two canals with a split configuration, which adds time and cost.

Molars (first and second) have three to four canals and are the most common teeth requiring root canals due to their deep grooves trapping decay. Molar root canals are the most expensive — our dataset shows $1,101–$1,579 CAD by province. The ODA 2026 guide distinguishes first molar from second molar fees; the range above reflects both.

Third molars (wisdom teeth) are technically the most complex but are rarely root-canal-treated in Canada. Most dentists recommend extraction instead. CDCP coverage for wisdom-tooth root canals requires pre-authorization.

CDCP coverage for root canals

The CDCP covers root canal treatment in its endodontic section. Understanding the pre-authorization rules is critical to avoiding unexpected bills.

Covered without pre-authorization:

Anterior root canal (incisor, canine)
Premolar root canal
First molar root canal
Second molar root canal

Requires pre-authorization:

Root canal retreatment (a second root canal on a tooth that was previously treated)
Third molar (wisdom tooth) root canal

Income tier	CDCP pays	Your co-pay
Under $70,000	100% of the CDCP fee	0%
$70,000–$79,999	60% of the CDCP fee	40%
$80,000–$89,999	40% of the CDCP fee	60%
$90,000 and above	Not eligible	100%

Balance billing applies: if your dentist charges $1,579 (ODA Ontario rate) but the CDCP grid fee is $1,194, even the 100% tier covers only $1,194. Confirming your dentist accepts CDCP assignment before treatment prevents surprise charges.

What happens during a root canal

A root canal (endodontic treatment) removes infected or inflamed pulp from inside the tooth to relieve pain and save the natural tooth. The procedure involves:

Diagnosis and X-ray — your dentist confirms pulp infection or necrosis via periapical X-ray or CBCT scan.
Local anaesthetic — the tooth and surrounding tissue are fully numbed; modern techniques make the procedure no more uncomfortable than a filling for most patients.
Rubber dam isolation — a small sheet is placed to keep the area sterile and prevent debris from entering the throat.
Access opening — a small hole is drilled through the crown to reach the pulp chamber.
Canal cleaning and shaping — rotary nickel-titanium files remove pulp tissue and shape each canal to a uniform taper. The canals are irrigated with sodium hypochlorite to eliminate bacteria.
Temporary or permanent fill — the canals are filled with gutta-percha (a rubber-like biocompatible material) and sealed with cement. In a two-appointment protocol, a temporary filling is placed at the first visit.
Crown preparation — a root-canal-treated tooth is significantly weakened and almost always requires a dental crown ($1,000–$1,300 CAD in Canada) to prevent fracture.

The procedure itself typically takes 60–90 minutes for a single-canal tooth and up to 2 hours for a complex molar.

Root canal vs extraction: which makes financial sense?

The upfront cost comparison favours extraction: $174 average vs $1,194 for a root canal. But the full financial picture includes tooth replacement and long-term bone health.

Option	Upfront cost (avg CAD)	Replacement cost	Total estimate
Root canal + crown	~$2,344	N/A (tooth retained)	~$2,344
Extraction + implant	~$174	~$3,000–$6,100	~$3,174–$6,274
Extraction + bridge	~$174	~$2,500	~$2,674
Extraction only	~$174	Bone loss risk	~$174 upfront

Retaining a natural tooth through a root canal preserves the jawbone, avoids the surgical recovery of an implant, and is often cheaper overall than extraction plus implant. See our full root canal vs extraction comparison for the complete analysis.

Open dataset

Root canal fee data on this page comes from our publicly licensed dataset:

CSV: canada-dental-cost-index-by-province-2026.csv
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20744781

Manitoba, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland figures are estimates based on Atlantic modelling and neighbouring province fee guides; they are flagged throughout this page.

Root Canal vs Extraction in Canada — total cost comparison including replacement options
Root Canal Cost by Province — full province-by-province fee guide table
CDCP Coverage Guide — full coverage matrix, income tiers, pre-authorization rules
Tooth Extraction Cost in Canada — simple and surgical extraction costs by province
Dental Costs in Canada — all procedures, recall exam to implants

Frequently asked questions

How much does a root canal cost in Canada?

A molar root canal in Canada costs from $1,101 CAD in Prince Edward Island to $1,579 in Ontario based on 2026 provincial fee guides, with a national dataset average of approximately $1,194 CAD. Anterior (front) teeth and premolars are cheaper — typically $700–$1,100 — because they have fewer canals to clean and seal.

Does the CDCP cover root canals?

Yes. Standard root canals on anterior teeth, premolars, and first and second molars are covered under the CDCP endodontic section without requiring pre-authorization. The CDCP reimburses at its own established grid fee, which may be lower than your dentist's fee. Two exceptions do require pre-authorization: root canal retreatment (redoing a prior root canal) and treatment on third molars (wisdom teeth).

Is it cheaper to pull the tooth than get a root canal in Canada?

Upfront, yes: a simple extraction averages $174 CAD nationwide vs a root canal average of $1,194. However, the total cost comparison changes significantly once you factor in tooth replacement. A dental implant to replace the extracted tooth runs $3,000–$6,100 CAD, and a dental bridge runs approximately $2,500. A root canal plus crown totals around $2,344 on average — comparable to or less than extraction plus replacement.

How many appointments does a root canal take in Canada?

Most root canals require two appointments: the first to remove infected pulp, clean and shape the canals, and place a temporary filling; the second (usually 1–2 weeks later) to seal the tooth permanently and prepare it for a crown. Some general dentists and endodontists complete straightforward cases in a single appointment using rotary instruments and digital X-rays. Complex or infected teeth typically need two visits.

Why is a root canal so expensive in Ontario?

Ontario's root canal fees are the highest in Canada because the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) 2026 suggested-fee guide lists molar endodontic treatment at $1,417–$1,579 CAD — the highest provincial benchmark. Ontario also has the highest overall dental cost of living in Canada, driven by real estate, staffing, and lab costs. Seeing an endodontist (specialist) in Ontario can add a further 20–40% premium above the general-dentist guide rate.

Researched & verified by the Real Dental Costs Data & Research Team

Independent dental pricing research — figures verified against provincial suggested-fee guides (ODA, ACDQ, BCDA, etc.) and the CDCP coverage rules published on canada.ca. Pricing/market research, not medical or dental advice.

Reviewed: June 18, 2026How we verify our data

This page provides pricing and market research information, NOT medical or dental advice. Real Dental Costs is an independent data publisher and is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or Sun Life Financial. Manitoba, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland figures are 2026 estimates based on provincial fee modelling and have not been sourced from publicly released official fee guides.

Data Methodology & Sources

The Real Dental Costs Data & Research Team compiles pricing data from provincial suggested-fee guides (ODA, ACDQ, BCDA, Alberta DA, NSDA, NBDS, DAPEI and others, 2025–2026) and the official CDCP coverage and guide pages on canada.ca. The full per-province dataset is published openly (DOI 10.5281/zenodo.20744781). Figures marked as estimates are modelled from neighbouring-province guides where a guide is members-only.

Pricing & Research Disclaimer: Real Dental Costs publishes independent dental pricing and market-research data for informational purposes only. It is not medical or dental advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation, and it is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or the CDCP. Costs vary by provider and province — always confirm coverage with Sun Life and get an exact quote from a licensed dentist.