Key takeaways
- Without health insurance, a root canal can cost between $900 - $3,400.
- With an extras health insurance policy, root canals will be covered under major dental.
- The procedure can be done by a general dentist or an endodontist.
How much does a root canal cost?
In Australia, the average cost of a root canal is between $900 - $3,400 without a dental crown. This is the cost if you do not have private health insurance. It's important to remember that multiple factors will affect the cost of this procedure — location of the infected tooth and complexity of the procedure, just to start.
Typically, this cost can be reduced if a general dentist rather than an endodontist performs the procedure.
Is a root canal covered by health insurance?
A root canal is only covered by extras health insurance, not hospital insurance. Under your extras policy, you'll find this procedure covered under 'major dental'. Typically there will be an annual limit and a sub-limit that applies so it's worth checking how much your insurer will cover ahead of time.

"If you want to keep out of pocket expenses to a minimum, it's wise to look for a more comprehensive extras policy with a generous annual limit and sub-limit for major dental. Plenty of cheaper extras policies will cover root canal procedures but they may only cover you for a few hundred dollars. It's worth comparing a few options to find one that gives you enough coverage and gives you bang for your buck."
How much does health insurance cost?
We ask hundreds of Australians what they're paying for health insurance every month. Here's what their bill looked like in January 2025.- Extras only: $54
- Basic: $108
- Bronze: $150
- Silver: $200
- Gold: $247
What does getting a root canal involve?
A root canal involves the removal of infected soft tissue inside a tooth. From there, the tooth is cleaned, disinfected, filled and sealed. Its aim is to save a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted.
This procedure can be performed by a general dentist or an endodontist.
FAQs
More guides on Finder
-
Bite me! How much do dentures cost?
Find out how much dentures cost in Australia and how you can get cover with mid-level health insurance.
-
No gap dental
Did you know many Australian health funds can provide you with discounts on preventative oral treatments through no gap dental programs?
-
How much is a tooth extraction?
Have you been putting off that niggling tooth pain? See how much it costs to have your tooth extraction on public vs private.
-
How much is Invisalign?
See how much the popular treatment costs with and without insurance in Australia.
-
What’s the cost a scale and clean in Australia?
Overdue on that dentist visit? See how you can lock in that check-up and clean without breaking the bank.
-
How much does wisdom teeth removal cost?
Need to have your wisdom teeth removed? Find out how much it will cost in this handy guide.
-
Does Medicare cover dental treatment?
Most general dental treatments are not covered by Medicare unless you are an eligible patient, usually with a concession card.
-
Health insurance for endodontic services
We’ve got all the info on what endodontics services are, how Australian health insurance providers handle them and what policies will cover you.
-
Health insurance for orthodontics
If you want that perfect smile, you need to be aware of what your private health fund offers you.