In Alberta, the 2026 suggested fee for an uncomplicated root canal is $795.45 for a tooth with one canal, $1,158.35 for two canals and $1,354.65 for three. Those amounts cover the root canal itself. The exam, X-rays and the filling or crown that restores the tooth afterwards are billed separately.
Below we show how the fee is set, what a root canal plus crown adds up to, how it compares with pulling the tooth, and what insurance and the CDCP pay.
Root canal fees in Alberta for 2026
The Alberta Dental Association publishes a guide of suggested fees each year. The 2026 edition applies from January 1 to December 31, 2026, and lists root canals by the number of canals in the tooth:
| Root canal, permanent tooth, uncomplicated | Code | Suggested fee |
|---|---|---|
| One canal | 33111 | $795.45 |
| Two canals | 33121 | $1,158.35 |
| Three canals | 33131 | $1,354.65 |
Front teeth and molars are built differently, and your X-ray shows how many canals the tooth has. That number decides which line of the guide applies. The guide is voluntary and each dentist sets their own fees, so treat these figures as a reference point rather than a price list.
These are the figures for uncomplicated cases. If your case is more involved, for example a tooth that already had a root canal and needs it redone, the quote will be different. Your dentist may also refer a complex case to an endodontist, a dentist with specialty training in root canal treatment, who sets their own fees.
What do a root canal and a crown cost together?
A root canal cleans out the inside of the tooth, but the tooth still has to be restored afterwards with a filling or a crown. Which one depends on how much strong tooth is left. A back tooth will likely need a crown, because chewing puts a lot of force on back teeth.
Here is how a molar with three canals adds up on 2026 guide fees. This is an example, not a quote.
| Item | Code | Suggested fee |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency examination | 01205 | $81.05 |
| One periapical X-ray | 02111 | $37.60 |
| Root canal, three canals | 33131 | $1,354.65 |
| Crown, porcelain fused to metal | 27211 | $1,072.55 |
| Lab fee for the crown | [L] | Varies by case |
| Total before the lab fee | $2,545.85 |
If not enough of the tooth is left, a post may be needed to help support the crown, and that is a separate item. A tooth with one canal has a lower guide fee, and a front tooth does not always need a crown afterwards.
Signs a tooth may need a root canal
Root canal treatment removes pulp, the soft tissue inside the tooth, when it is infected, injured or has died. Bacteria can get in through deep cavities, cracks or faulty fillings. Signs that a tooth should be checked include:
- Severe or persistent tooth pain
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the food or drink is gone
- Swelling or tenderness around a tooth
- A tooth damaged by a deep cavity or an injury
An infected tooth may or may not hurt. Sometimes the infection is first noticed on a dental X-ray. Only an exam and X-rays can tell whether a root canal is the right treatment, so if a tooth is bothering you, book a visit rather than waiting it out.
If you have strong pain or swelling right now, see our emergency dentist page. We keep same-day appointments for emergencies and welcome walk-ins.
What happens during a root canal
- The area is frozen with a local anaesthetic.
- A thin rubber sheet called a dam goes around the tooth to keep saliva out.
- A small opening is made in the tooth, and the damaged pulp is removed with very fine instruments.
- The canals are cleaned, shaped, filled and sealed.
- The opening is closed with a temporary or permanent filling, and the tooth is later restored with a filling or a crown.
Most root canal treatments at our SW Calgary clinic take 60 to 90 minutes and may need one or two visits. With freezing, the treatment is typically no more uncomfortable than a regular filling.
The tooth may feel tender for the first week or two. Strong pain or swelling after treatment is not common, so call us if it happens. A treated tooth can still get a cavity or gum disease, so brushing, flossing and check-ups still matter. With that care, the tooth could last as long as your other teeth.
Root canal or extraction: comparing the costs
Pulling a tooth costs less on the day. The 2026 guide lists an uncomplicated extraction at $174.55 and a surgical extraction at $314.75. But a missing tooth leaves a second decision: leave the gap, or replace the tooth. A bridge is one way to replace it; an implant or a partial denture are others, each with its own cost.
| Option for one back tooth | 2026 suggested fees |
|---|---|
| Keep it: root canal (three canals) and crown | $2,427.20 plus lab fee |
| Remove it: uncomplicated extraction | $174.55 |
| Replace it with a bridge: two crowns on the neighbouring teeth ($1,172.65 each) and one false tooth ($570.30) | $2,915.60 plus lab fees, on top of the extraction |
Keeping your own tooth also helps stop the teeth next to it from drifting out of line. Which option makes sense for you depends on the tooth, so we go through the choices with you before you decide.
How insurance and the CDCP help with the cost
Private dental plans
Insurance plans pay according to their own fee lists. For example, the Alberta Blue Cross 2026 fee list for its individual health plans sets a root canal on a tooth with three roots at $1,296.32, compared with $1,354.65 in the Alberta suggested guide. When a dentist’s fee is higher than what a plan allows, you pay the difference. A predetermination, where the planned treatment is sent to your insurer before it starts, shows your share in advance. We bill most major insurance plans directly.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan
The CDCP covers root canal treatment. Some endodontic work needs preauthorization from Sun Life first, for example re-treating a tooth that already had a root canal, and a crown on the tooth needs preauthorization too. Your share of the CDCP fee depends on your adjusted family net income:
- Under $70,000: you pay 0% of the CDCP fee
- $70,000 to $79,999: you pay 40%
- $80,000 to $89,999: you pay 60%
CDCP fees are not always the same as what a clinic charges. We are a participating provider: we bill Sun Life directly, submit any preauthorization for you, and tell you your out-of-pocket amount in writing before treatment. More on how CDCP and insurance work at our clinic.
For the part that is not covered, monthly payment plans through Dental Card are available, with $0 down on select plans.
Get a quote for your tooth
The fees above give you a reference point. Your own cost depends on the tooth, the number of canals and how it will be restored. At Genesis Dental Centre, led by Dr. Milena Hobbs, we examine the tooth, take the X-rays we need and give you a written, itemized quote before treatment starts. We are accepting new patients at 7520 Elbow Dr SW and are open Monday to Wednesday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm and Thursday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Call 403-266-4920 or contact us to book an exam.