How much does a root canal cost in Cape Town?

There is no fixed national price for root canal treatment in South Africa, and the cost varies widely depending mainly on the tooth and its number of roots. A molar generally costs more to treat than a front tooth. A written quotation from the practice, after an examination, is the only reliable way to know what your own treatment will cost.

In short

• Each dental practice sets its own fees for root canal treatment, and there is no government price list for private dental care.
• The cost varies widely, driven mainly by which tooth is treated and how many roots it has.
• A molar generally costs more to treat than a front tooth, since it has more roots and takes longer, and a specialist (endodontist) fee is usually higher again.
• Medical aid schemes generally cover root canal treatment on permanent teeth as part of everyday dentistry, but commonly exclude it on wisdom teeth and baby teeth.
• A written quotation from the practice, after an examination, is the only reliable way to know the cost of your own treatment.

This article is part of the root canal treatment information on this site for patients in Cape Town.

What does root canal treatment involve?

Inside each tooth is a soft tissue called the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. Decay, a crack, or an injury can let bacteria reach the pulp and infect it, which can cause pain, and, left untreated, can let the infection spread and the bone around the tooth degenerate. Root canal treatment removes the infected or dead pulp, cleans and reshapes the space inside the tooth, and seals it with a rubber-like filling material to stop the infection coming back. It is usually carried out under local anaesthetic over one to three appointments, and the tooth is often protected afterward with a crown, particularly on a back tooth. How much does a dental crown cost in Cape Town? covers that separate cost. The main alternative is removing the tooth, which SADA’s patient guidance notes can eventually let neighbouring teeth shift out of position.

What drives the cost of root canal treatment?

The cost usually reflects which tooth is being treated. A front tooth generally has a single root canal and is quicker to treat, while a molar can have three or four root canals and takes longer in the chair. The complexity of the case matters too, since a curved canal, or a tooth being retreated after an earlier root canal, takes more time and skill. Some cases are referred to a specialist in root canal treatment, called an endodontist, whose fee is usually higher than a general dentist’s. Where the tooth is weakened afterward, a crown is often recommended to protect it, which is a separate cost again. The practice’s running costs and location also play a part.

How do South African medical aids treat root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment on a permanent (adult) tooth is generally treated as part of everyday, conservative dentistry, paid from a member’s savings or day-to-day benefit, at the scheme’s own tariff. This scheme tariff is not what an individual dentist charges, and many dentists charge more than it, so the gap is usually a co-payment the patient pays themselves. How many root canal treatments a year are covered on this basis depends on the plan. A recurring exclusion across South African schemes is root canal treatment on third molars (wisdom teeth) and on primary (baby) teeth, which is generally not covered at all. What dental work does medical aid usually not cover? sets out more of these exclusions. Where a crown is needed afterward, that is usually paid from a separate, more limited specialised-dentistry benefit, so it is worth checking both parts of your cover. Can I use my medical savings account for a check-up or a filling? explains how the savings account itself works.

How do I reach Dr Davies?

For a figure for your own treatment, call the practice’s reception, where fees are discussed, and ask for a written quotation after an examination. BRS Dental is not registered with medical aids, so it does not claim from them directly, but reception can help you submit your claim to your medical aid. For anything clinical, contact Dr Davies. If you are in pain now, see the dental emergency guidance on this site rather than researching the cost first.