A dental treatment done on decayed teeth is the RCT, otherwise referred to as Root Canal Treatment. Due to growing awareness of dental health and the rising number of people interested in aesthetic treatments, endodontic therapy has become a routine yet essential service in both urban and rural dental settings. Even though this treatment is important for saving teeth from extraction, it is dreaded by patients, mostly because of the presumed pain and costs related to the treatment. Hence, this article talks about what RCT entails, why an RCT becomes imperative, how much an RCT of Teeth Price usually costs in India, and the elements that cause variation in these costs.
Root Canal Treatment (RCT) has become one of the most commonly executed endodontic procedures to save infected or abscessed teeth. Growing awareness of oral health and the impact of aesthetics on health care-reliant society are making significant contributions to RCT as a routine yet vital service, particularly in urban and rural facilities. However, even though the treatment is very important in restoring the life of teeth that can otherwise be lost, patients shy away from RCT due to the pain they expect it will cause, as well as the cost implications. In this article, one will learn about what RCT is, why it is important to avail of it, how much one would pay on average in different regions of India, and the components affecting prices.
What Is Root Canal Treatment (RCT)?
Root Canal Treatment is one of the most important procedures we do in our dental practice to eliminate infection from a tooth. After cleaning and disinfecting the tooth’s inner soft pulp, we’ll finally seal and restore it with a filling or crown.
Soft tissue, whose nerves provide the blood supply of your tooth, is found in each and every one of your teeth as pulp. When infiltration of the pulp occurs due to either deep decay or trauma, or from cracking the tooth, it can become a very painful situation, one fraught with sensitivity, even the development of abscesses. The lower part of the tooth structure can be salvaged through RCT despite the infection.
Steps Involved in RCT
- Diagnosis and X-ray: A radiograph identifies infected root canals and assists in administering an infection verdict.
- Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is given to numb the area for a painless procedure.
- Pulpectomy: The infected pulp tissue is removed from the canals.
- Cleaning and Shaping: Canals are disinfected using rotary or hand files with irrigation solutions.
- Filling: Inert material called gutta-percha fills the cleaned canals.
Why Is RCT Required?
RCT is advised under these conditions:
- Acute tooth pain that relieves under chewing or pressure.
- Persistent sensitivity to heat or cold food.
- The entire tooth is becoming darker, dark brown, or black blue.
- There is swelling or tenderness of the gums, which is adjacent to its site.
- The abscess or pus can form right next to the tooth root tip.
Root Canal Treatment Cost in India
Average Price Range
| City/Region | Single Sitting RCT (INR) | Multi-Sitting RCT (INR) |
| Tier-1 Cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore) | ₹4,000 – ₹8,000 | ₹5,000 – ₹12,000 |
| Tier-2 Cities (Indore, Vadodara, Nagpur) | ₹2,500 – ₹6,000 | ₹3,500 – ₹7,500 |
| Rural/Small Towns | ₹1,500 – ₹4,000 | ₹2,000 – ₹5,000 |
| Government Hospitals | ₹500 – ₹1,000 | ₹1,000 – ₹2,000 |
| Dental Colleges (Training Setup) | ₹500 – ₹2,000 | ₹1,000 – ₹2,500 |
Factors Affecting the Price of RCT
Several variables contribute to the final cost of a root canal procedure:
Tooth Location
- Anterior (front) teeth typically have one root canal and are easier to treat, hence cheaper.
- Premolars have one or two canals, costing slightly more.
- Molars have 3–4 canals and are the most complex and expensive to treat.
Type of Clinic
- Such healthcare establishments tend to charge between Rs 1,000 to Rs1,200 for a restorative procedure created in a private lab.
- Standalone local clinics are more economical but may vary in quality.
Dentist’s Experience
- A specialist endodontist usually charges more than a general dentist due to expertise in complicated cases.
Number of Sittings
- Single-sitting RCT (possible for uncomplicated cases) may be priced higher due to the use of rotary instruments and digital tools.
- Multi-sitting RCT might spread the cost across visits, but can incur more over time.
Technology Used
- Rotary endodontics, apex locators, digital X-ray machines, or dental microscopes increase the cost of endodontics; however, with the introduction of these technologies, greater accuracy can be obtained.
Crown Charges
- After RCT, a crown is usually advised for strength and protection. Crowns have their own price range based on the material:
- Metal crowns: ₹1,000 – ₹2,000
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM): ₹2,500 – ₹6,000
- Zirconia or all-ceramic crowns: ₹6,000 – ₹15,000
Cost Comparison With Other Countries
| Country | Average RCT Cost |
| United States | $700 – $1,500 |
| United Kingdom | £300 – £800 |
| Australia | AUD 1,000 – 2,500 |
| UAE | AED 1,000 – 2,000 |
| India | $40 – $150 |
With regard to quality, there are no compromises in hospitals or clinics in India accredited by the NABH or with international standards, despite low costs.
Insurance and RCT: Are They Covered?
In India, most dental treatments are usually not included under conventional health insurance plans unless they arise from accidents or trauma. However, a few newer policies and corporate insurance schemes have started covering preventive dental treatment and restorative work, such as root canal treatment, under outpatient (OPD) benefits. Inquire with your insurer about cashless facilities available through chain clinics, such as Clove Dental or Sabka Dentist, or through setups linked with corporate hospitals.
RCT Costs Without Compromising Quality
- Select Dental Colleges: Dental colleges accredited by MCI or DCI often provide cheaper root canal treatment (RCTs) supervised by experienced faculty.
- Ask for Treatment Plan: Ask to get a breakdown before commencing the treatment.
- Go for Government Schemes: Some states subsidize dental care through public health schemes.
- Get Treated Early: Treatment at a delayed stage can become more complicated and expensive.
- Price Compare: The patient is going through some online research or calling nearby clinics to compare costs before finalizing.
Is RCT Worth the Cost?
Separation of the tooth is really not the same at all in comparison to root canal treatment, which preserves that tooth inside the oral cavity and prevents resorption of the bone with mal-alignment of the bites. By a bridge or implant, replacing this tooth with a missing one becomes very costly and invasive.
RCT also comes in with a very high percentage of success, especially when done in a sterile environment and followed up with restorations.
Conclusion
It is indeed root canal therapy that best helps to relieve pain, eliminate an active infection, and save the tooth. Root canal treatment costs vary by a wide margin from state-run low-cost establishments to one of the matchless private dental setups. Understanding the factors influencing RCT costs and exploration of treatments allows a person to make informed decisions regarding his dental needs and budget.
Also read:- Teeth Cleaning Charges: Latest Rates & Cost Factors