Is a Dental Crown Covered After a Root Canal?

If your dentist recommends a crown after a root canal, you may wonder how much the full treatment will cost. Since root canals and crowns are typically billed separately, it can be confusing to understand what your dental insurance will cover and how much you’ll owe out of pocket. Below, we explain how dental coverage works and what to know before scheduling treatment.

4 min. read

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Your dentist may recommend a dental crown after you receive a root canal to help protect your treated tooth.
Depending on the dental plan, root canals and crowns may be covered separately, even when they’re part of the same treatment plan.
Your out-of-pocket costs can depend on your dental plan’s coverage, coinsurance, deductible, annual maximum and provider network.

Why would you need a crown after a root canal?

A root canal removes infected or damaged tissue from inside your tooth. While this procedure can help preserve your natural tooth, it may also leave it weaker and more vulnerable to cracking.

For this reason, dentists may suggest that you get a dental crown after a root canal. Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that cover your treated tooth to restore its shape, strength and function. In turn, they can help protect the long-term results of your root canal.

Are crowns typically covered by insurance?

In the United States, the average root canal cost without insurance is $1,165.¹ Meanwhile, average dental crown costs range from $800 and $2,500 without insurance,² depending on the type of material used.

Coverage for dental crowns varies by plans. Depending on the plan, it may help cover a portion of the cost of a dental crown after a root canal if the crown is medically necessary. However, dental plans often treat the root canal and crown as two separate services with different coverage levels.

How insurance may classify root canals vs. dental crowns

Many dental insurance plans classify dental procedures into three coverage tiers:³

Preventive services like routine cleanings and exams are often covered up to 100%.
Basic services like fillings or certain types of root canals may be covered up to 80%.
Major services like crowns, bridges or dentures may be covered up to 50%.

These percentages generally reflect the portion of covered costs that the dental plan may pay after you meet your deductible, with the remaining portion typically paid by you as coinsurance, depending on your plan’s terms.

While a root canal and crown may be part of the same treatment plan, they can have different classifications and coinsurance amounts.

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What factors can affect your out-of-pocket root canal and crown cost?

Even with insurance, you may have out-of-pocket costs for root canal and crown treatment, depending on your plan’s coverage and cost-sharing requirements. The following factors can impact your final dental bill:

Treated tooth’s location: Molar crowns may cost more due to treatment complexity and tooth location.
Crown material: Crowns may be made from porcelain, ceramic, metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal. Some materials are typically more expensive than others.
Your dentist’s network status: In-network dentists typically offer lower rates than out-of-network providers.
Deductible: You may need to pay a certain amount toward your dental care before your insurance starts covering costs.
Coinsurance: Some procedures may have a higher coinsurance rate than others.
Annual maximum: Your plan may stop paying for covered services after you reach your annual maximum, depending on plan terms.
Waiting period: If you receive your dental crown and root canal treatments before your waiting period is over, you may not receive any coverage.
Additional care: Exams and follow-up visits can increase your final dental bill.

Since every treatment plan and insurance policy is different, the average cost of a root canal and crown can vary widely. Ask your dentist for an itemized estimate before treatment begins so you can see how each factor affects your expected out-of-pocket cost.

When your dental crown coverage may be limited

Coverage for a crown after a root canal can vary by dental plan and may be limited in certain situations. In some cases, coverage may not apply. Examples may include:

The procedure is done before your waiting period is over
Your crown is considered cosmetic
An out-of-network dentist performs your treatment
You’ve already reached your plan’s annual maximum
Your coverage excludes certain crown materials
You didn’t complete your required preauthorization

How to confirm your benefits before treatment

Before you schedule treatment, ask your dental office for a written estimate. Next, contact your insurance provider to confirm what your plan may cover and what you may owe out of pocket.

You can also ask your dentist to submit a pre-treatment estimate directly to your insurer. Your insurer can then prepare an estimate of benefits that shows how they will process each part of your treatment, giving you a clear sense of your expected out-of-pocket costs.

How Aflac's supplemental insurance can help

If you need a root canal and a dental crown, your primary dental insurance may not cover the full costs of treatment, depending on your plan. Fortunately, Aflac's supplemental dental insurance can help you pay for any remaining out-of-pocket costs.

Our supplemental dental insurance pays cash benefits directly to you, unless otherwise assigned, which you can use toward your deductible, coinsurance or other eligible expenses. By getting a supplemental dental plan in advance, you can enjoy an extra layer of financial support while you pursue the dental care you need.

Aflac also offers dental insurance, which may help cover a portion of preventive, basic and major services.

Chat with an Aflac agent today to explore your coverage options and get a quote.

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