Current as of October 2026. Government programs, tax rules and prices change. Check the official sources listed at the end of this page before making a decision, and confirm details with a licensed advisor.
What a root canal actually involves
A root canal treats the soft tissue inside a tooth, called the pulp, when it becomes inflamed or infected. According to the American Association of Endodontists, the dentist removes the damaged pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, then fills and seals it. The goal is simple: save the natural tooth rather than pull it.
Root canals are done by general dentists and by endodontists, who are dental specialists focused on the pulp and the roots. A general dentist may handle a straightforward case and refer a tricky one, such as a curved root or a previously treated tooth, to an endodontist.
For most people the procedure is one part of a longer story. After the canal is sealed, the tooth usually needs a filling or a crown to protect it, and that second step is often where the total cost grows.
What affects root canal cost in Ontario
There is no single price for a root canal in Ontario. Fees are set by each dental office. The Ontario Dental Association publishes a Suggested Fee Guide, which it describes as a reference to help dentists set fees that are fair and reasonable, but it is not a fixed price list and the detailed guide is available only to ODA members. Because fees vary from office to office, this page explains the cost drivers instead of quoting numbers. Your dentist can give you a written estimate before treatment.
The factors that most often move the price up or down include:
- Which tooth: molars at the back of the mouth have more roots and canals and are harder to reach, and the AAE notes the fee is usually higher than for front teeth.
- Complexity: curved, narrow or calcified canals, or an infection that has spread, take more time and skill.
- Who does it: a referral to an endodontist can cost more than treatment by a general dentist, although specialists handle these cases every day.
- First treatment or retreatment: redoing an earlier root canal is usually more involved than the original procedure.
- The restoration afterward: a filling or a crown is a separate charge. See our guide to dental crown cost in Ontario.
- Extras: x-rays, an emergency visit, or medication for pain and infection can be billed on their own.
Root canal versus pulling the tooth
When a tooth hurts and money is tight, extraction can look like the cheaper choice. The AAE points out that a root canal with a proper restoration is generally less expensive than extracting the tooth and then replacing it with an implant or bridge to restore chewing and keep neighbouring teeth from shifting.
Every mouth is different, so ask your dentist to walk through both options, including what replacing the tooth would involve. Our page on dental implant cost in Ontario covers the replacement side of that decision.
How group dental plans usually handle endodontics
Most employer dental plans sort procedures into categories such as preventive, basic and major. Where endodontics lands depends on the specific contract. Some plans treat root canals as basic services, while others place them with major services, which can mean a lower reimbursement percentage, a waiting period for new members, or a separate annual maximum. The crown that often follows is commonly treated as a major service, so the two parts of the same treatment can be reimbursed differently.
When you read your plan booklet, look for these details:
- Whether endodontics is listed under basic or major services, and the coinsurance percentage for each.
- The annual dental maximum, and how much of it you have already used this year.
- Any deductible that applies before the plan starts paying.
- Which dental fee guide the plan reimburses against, since the plan may pay a percentage of the guide amount rather than the dentist's actual fee.
- Whether the plan accepts a predetermination (an estimate submitted before treatment) so you know your share in advance.
Ways employees can reduce out-of-pocket costs
Ask your dental office to send a predetermination to your insurer before a non-emergency root canal and crown. It takes a little time but shows what the plan will pay, so there are no surprises at the front desk.
If you and a spouse both have workplace plans, coordination of benefits can help cover the gap left by the first plan. Employers can also add a health spending account, which can reimburse eligible dental costs that the insured plan does not fully cover, such as coinsurance or amounts above the annual maximum.
Timing can matter too. If treatment can safely be spread across two plan years, a separate annual maximum may apply to each part. Your dentist will tell you whether waiting is safe; an infected tooth should not be delayed for the sake of benefits.
Where the Canadian Dental Care Plan fits (as of October 2026)
For people with no dental coverage, the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan may help. As of October 2026, Canada.ca lists root canal treatments, pulpectomies (the first step of a root canal) and procedures to reduce infection and relieve pain among covered endodontic services. Retreatment of a previously completed root canal requires preauthorization.
Eligibility rules matter for employers and staff. As of October 2026, applicants must not have access to private dental insurance or coverage, and Canada.ca specifies this includes employer plans, family members' plans and health spending accounts that cover dental costs. Adjusted family net income must be under $90,000, and co-payments apply to families with adjusted net income of $70,000 or more. Dentists may also charge more than the CDCP reimburses. Details are on our CDCP eligibility page; always check the current rules on Canada.ca before you apply.
In practice, this means an employee who is offered workplace dental coverage, even through a health spending account, is generally not eligible for the CDCP. That makes the design of your group plan the main safety net for your team.
For employers: building dental coverage people can use
A root canal is one of those moments when employees find out what their benefits are really worth. Plans that leave endodontics in a low-reimbursement category, or pair it with a small annual maximum, can leave someone paying most of the bill for a tooth that needed saving. Reviewing how your group dental coverage treats endodontics and crowns is a practical place to start.
GroupBenefitPlans.ca does not sell insurance or give advice. When you are ready, you can get matched with a licensed benefits advisor who can explain how different plan designs handle root canals, crowns and annual maximums for a business your size.
Common questions
How much does a root canal cost in Ontario?
It varies by dental office, the tooth involved, the complexity of the case and whether a specialist does the work. Molars generally cost more than front teeth. The crown or filling afterward is billed separately. Ask your dentist for a written estimate, and ask your insurer for a predetermination if you have coverage.
Is a root canal basic or major dental coverage?
It depends on the plan. Some group dental plans list endodontics as a basic service and others place it under major services, which may carry a lower reimbursement percentage or a waiting period. Check your plan booklet or ask your plan administrator.
Does the Canadian Dental Care Plan cover root canals?
As of October 2026, Canada.ca lists root canal treatments among covered CDCP services, with retreatments requiring preauthorization. You must meet the eligibility rules, including having no access to private dental coverage, and income-based co-payments or extra charges from the dentist may apply.
Can I get the CDCP if my employer offers dental benefits?
Generally no. As of October 2026, Canada.ca says applicants cannot have access to private dental insurance or coverage, including employer plans and health spending accounts that cover dental costs. Check Canada.ca for current rules and the limited exceptions.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
After a root canal, the AAE notes the tooth is restored with a crown or a filling to protect it. Your dentist will recommend what suits your tooth, and the restoration is a separate cost.
Sources and further reading
GroupBenefitPlans.ca is a referral and information service. Advice and coverage are provided by the licensed professional and relevant providers. An enquiry does not activate insurance.