verified_userIndependent data • Reviewed June 2026

Root Canal vs Extraction in Canada (2026)

A root canal plus crown costs approximately $2,344 CAD — cheaper than extraction plus an implant (~~$3,174–$6,274) and roughly comparable to extraction plus a bridge (~~$2,674). Upfront, extraction is far cheaper at $174 average. Which is the better financial decision depends heavily on whether you replace the tooth and which replacement you choose.

Upfront cost comparison

The table below compares the immediate procedure costs only, using national average figures from our 2026 Canadian dataset.

Procedure	National average (CAD)	Provincial range (CAD)	CDCP covered?
Simple extraction	$174	$145 (MB) – $218 (ON)	Yes, no preauth
Root canal — anterior	~$850	$700–$950	Yes, no preauth
Root canal — premolar	~$1,000	$850–$1,150	Yes, no preauth
Root canal — molar	~$1,194	$1,101 (PEI) – $1,579 (ON)	Yes, no preauth
Dental crown (post-RCT)	~$1,150	$900–$1,500	Yes, with preauth

The upfront cost advantage of extraction is clear. But most dental professionals recommend replacing a missing tooth to prevent bone loss and shifting — and replacement costs change the calculation significantly.

Total lifetime cost comparison

When you factor in the most common tooth replacement options, the financial picture reverses for many patients.

Treatment path	Upfront cost (avg CAD)	Replacement cost (avg CAD)	Total estimate (CAD)
Root canal + crown	~$1,194 + ~$1,150	None (tooth retained)	~$2,344
Extraction + dental implant	~$174	~$3,000–$6,100	~$3,174–$6,274
Extraction + dental bridge	~$174	~$2,500 (3-unit bridge)	~$2,674
Extraction + partial denture	~$174	~$1,200–$2,500	~$1,374–$2,674
Extraction only (no replacement)	~$174	Bone resorption risk	~$174 upfront

The root canal plus crown path is the most predictable total-cost option for most single-tooth scenarios. Implants cost more upfront but are the most durable long-term solution — typically lasting 15–25 years or longer with proper care. A bridge is faster and cheaper than an implant but requires grinding down the two adjacent healthy teeth to act as anchors.

A partial denture is the lowest-cost replacement option but is removable, less comfortable, and considered a compromise by most dentists. Leaving the gap entirely is the cheapest short-term decision but carries the highest long-term cost risk due to bone resorption and shifting.

CDCP coverage comparison

Both root canals and extractions are covered by the CDCP. The coverage rules are identical in terms of the income-tier co-pay structure.

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%

Key difference: dental implants are not covered by the CDCP. Dental crowns (post-root canal) and dental bridges are covered under the prosthodontics section, typically with pre-authorization required. Partial dentures are also covered with pre-authorization. This means that for CDCP-eligible patients, the root canal plus crown path can have lower out-of-pocket costs than extraction plus implant, since the implant receives no CDCP subsidy.

Procedure and recovery comparison

Understanding what each procedure involves helps set realistic expectations for downtime and discomfort.

Root canal procedure

A root canal removes the infected pulp from inside the tooth while preserving the outer structure. The procedure takes 60–90 minutes (anterior) to up to 2 hours (complex molar) and typically requires two appointments. Post-procedure sensitivity is usually mild — ibuprofen or acetaminophen for 1–3 days. The tooth remains in place and functional throughout.

Extraction procedure

A simple extraction takes 15–30 minutes under local anaesthetic. Recovery requires 2–7 days of soft diet and care to protect the blood clot. Dry socket — affecting roughly 2–5% of simple extractions — extends recovery significantly and requires a follow-up visit for medicated dressing.

Factor	Root canal	Extraction
Procedure time	60–120 min	15–30 min
Appointments	Typically 2	1
Recovery	1–3 days sensitivity	2–7 days
Complication risk	Low (root fracture rare)	2–5% dry socket
Tooth retained?	Yes	No
Crown required?	Yes (~1–2 weeks later)	No

Long-term bone preservation

This is the most underappreciated dimension of the root canal vs extraction decision. When a tooth is extracted and not replaced, the jawbone in that area has no mechanical stimulus and begins to resorb. Studies indicate:

Up to 25% of bone width is lost in the first year following extraction.
After three years without replacement, bone loss can be significant enough to require bone grafting ($600–$3,500 CAD) before an implant can be placed.
Adjacent teeth tilt into the gap over 6–18 months, sometimes requiring orthodontic correction.

A root canal preserves the natural tooth root, which continues to stimulate the surrounding bone through normal biting forces. No bone graft, no shifting teeth, no bite adjustment.

When extraction is the right choice

Root canal therapy is not always the correct answer. Extraction is typically recommended when:

Severe periodontal disease has destroyed the supporting bone to the point that the tooth cannot be stabilized after endodontic treatment.
Non-restorable fracture — the tooth is cracked below the bone level, making crown placement impossible.
Resorption — the root has been internally or externally resorbed to a degree that leaves insufficient tooth structure.
Strategic extraction — in orthodontic planning, a tooth may be deliberately extracted to create space.
Patient cost constraints — when the total root canal plus crown cost is not feasible and a removable partial denture is an acceptable replacement.

If your dentist recommends extraction and you are unsure, asking for an endodontic consultation before proceeding is reasonable — a second opinion costs relatively little and can prevent a decision you cannot undo.

Root Canal Cost in Canada — full hub with province-by-province molar costs and CDCP calculator
Root Canal Cost by Province — complete fee guide table for all 10 provinces
Tooth Extraction Cost in Canada — simple and surgical extraction costs by province
CDCP Coverage Guide — full coverage matrix, income tiers, pre-authorization rules
Dental Costs in Canada — all procedures, recall exam to implants

Frequently asked questions

Is a root canal cheaper than extraction in Canada?

Upfront, a root canal is significantly more expensive: $1,194 average vs $174 for a simple extraction. However, when you include tooth replacement — which is medically advisable in most cases — the total cost is often comparable or higher for extraction. Extraction plus a dental implant runs $3,174–$6,274 CAD total; extraction plus a bridge runs approximately $2,674. A root canal plus crown averages around $2,344. For most patients the root canal is the more cost-effective lifetime choice.

What happens if you extract a tooth and don't replace it?

Leaving an extraction gap causes measurable consequences over months to years. The adjacent teeth gradually tilt into the gap, and the opposing tooth over-erupts (super-erupts) into the space. The jawbone at the extraction site begins to resorb — losing up to 25% of its width in the first year alone. Over time this bone loss can complicate future implant placement (requiring costly bone grafting) and alter the patient's bite, potentially leading to jaw joint strain and further dental work.

Does the CDCP cover both root canal and extraction?

Yes, both procedures are covered under the CDCP without pre-authorization in standard cases. Simple and surgical extractions are covered under the oral-surgery section; anterior, premolar, and first and second molar root canals are covered under the endodontic section. Pre-authorization is required only for root canal retreatment and third molar (wisdom tooth) root canals. Both procedures are subject to the CDCP income-tier co-pay structure.

How long does it take to recover from each?

Extraction recovery for a simple tooth typically takes 2–7 days; surgical extractions may take 5–10 days. Dry socket — a painful delayed-healing complication — affects roughly 2–5% of simple extractions and up to 30% of lower wisdom-tooth removals. Root canal post-procedure sensitivity is usually mild and resolves within 1–3 days; the tooth remains functional throughout. Patients who receive a root canal can generally eat normally (with care) within a day or two, whereas extraction patients must restrict diet and activity more carefully.

When do dentists recommend extraction over root canal?

Dentists typically recommend extraction when: the tooth has severe bone loss from advanced periodontal disease (leaving insufficient support for crown placement); the tooth is fractured below the gum line in a way that prevents restoration; the infection has destroyed so much root structure that no viable canal anatomy remains; or the patient faces significant cost constraints and chooses not to invest in a crown post-treatment. Patient preference, age, overall oral health, and strategic orthodontic planning also factor into the decision.

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. Cost figures are national averages from our 2026 dataset; your actual costs will vary by province, dentist, and individual tooth complexity.

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.