How long does it take for insurance to approve root canal?
Asked by: Mr. Benton Connelly Sr. | Last update: November 22, 2025Score: 5/5 (34 votes)
How long does insurance take to approve a root canal?
Oral surgery, root canals , dentures and inlays/onlays/crowns are typically considered major dental procedures. For major dental procedures, most dental insurers typically have a waiting period of either 6 or 12 months after you enroll.
How long is the wait for a root canal?
If you need a root canal, you may experience uncomfortable symptoms. However, you may not be able to see your dentist right away. It is best to wait no more than one to two weeks before you have a root canal.
Are root canals fully covered by insurance?
A lot of insurance plans cover 50-80% of the procedure after you've met your deductible. This means your out-of-pocket expenses might range from $200 to $1,000 depending on factors like which tooth is treated and the specifics of your insurance plan.
Why would my insurance deny a root canal?
Sometimes it's due to a contractual limitation (for example, a non-covered service, or if the benefit exceeds the yearly maximum), and sometimes it's because the insurer's dental consultant thinks the diagnostic information your dentist submitted does not support the proposed treatment.
Insurance Verification for Root Canal Procedures
What happens if you need a root canal but can't afford it?
Many communities have free dental clinics for people without insurance who cannot afford care at a dental practice. Look online for a local dental society or university dental school, call them, and ask about programs for free dental care.
Why would a dentist not accept insurance?
Financial Considerations: Dental insurance networks often negotiate discounted fees with dentists. Dentists may find that the fees offered by these networks are too low to cover their costs, provide a reasonable profit margin, and maintain the highest quality of care.
How much should root canal treatment cost?
Premolar Tooth: For a premolar tooth, the cost could be between ₹3,000 to ₹7,000 or more. Molar Tooth: Root canal treatment for a molar tooth can range from ₹4,000 to ₹10,000 or higher in these areas.
Is it cheaper to pull a tooth or root canal?
While both procedures aim to address dental health issues, they vary significantly in terms of treatment approach and financial impact. A root canal usually costs between $800 and $1,500 per tooth, whereas a tooth extraction ranges from $135 to $500 or more, depending on complexity.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover root canals?
Both our high-option and standard-option plans offer the comprehensive dental benefits you and your family need, including: in-network covered preventive care paid in full, including up to three cleanings a year. no deductible for in-network services, such as fillings and root canals.
What is the hardest tooth to get a root canal on?
The maxillary molars, especially the second molars, have the most complicated root canal system in permanent dentition. There are many variations in canal number and configuration in maxillary molars. Treatment may be unsuccessful because the dentist may fail to recognize the unusual canal configuration.
How do people afford root canals?
Many dental offices will allow you to finance your root canal or pay the cost in installments through a payment plan. Contact your dental practitioner's office to find out if they offer these options, or to see what other payment alternatives may be available.
How urgent is a root canal?
Typically, the first sign that one may be needed is pain from an infection. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, it may constitute an emergency that requires immediate treatment. The three main signs that it is an urgent situation are extreme pain, bleeding and damage to the tooth that exposes the pulp and nerve.
How long is it OK to wait for root canal?
If you put off a root canal for too long, the tooth may deteriorate to the point where it needs extraction. Plan to wait no longer than a week or two before scheduling a root canal.
Can I get dental insurance and use it right away?
Preventive: Most dental insurance plans do not require a waiting period for preventive care. That means you and your family may receive exams, cleanings, x-rays, and fluoride treatments as provided in your plan. Basic: Some basic procedures may have a three- to six-month waiting period.
How long does a dental preauthorization take?
Keep in mind, pre-authorization can take time – between 5 and 30 days depending on the procedure being proposed and the dental insurance provider.
Does insurance cover root canals?
Will dental insurance cover my root canal procedure? Whether or not your insurance will cover your root canal procedure will depend on your particular plan, but it is common for dental insurance plans to cover 50% - 80% of the cost of a root canal after the deductible has been met.
Is it better to pull infected tooth or root canal?
Extractions typically address an infected tooth if it is one of your wisdom teeth, but root canals are often recommended for the rest of your teeth.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Needing a crown after a root canal depends highly on the location of the tooth in the mouth—teeth towards the back of the mouth like molars and premolars are needed more for chewing, and generally require crowns, where incisors or canines which aren't needed for chewing don't always require crowns.
What is cap after root canal?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that restores a decayed, broken, weak or worn-down tooth. Dentists also use crowns to cover dental implants and root canal-treated teeth. Made from a variety of materials, including metal, resin and porcelain, crowns last between five and 15 years with proper care.
Can a root canal be done in one sitting?
Often, root canal treatment is a multi-visit process, but recent advancements in dentistry have made it possible to complete the entire procedure in a single visit. With the ability to save time and expense, this advanced procedure has become increasingly popular.
Do all dentists make you pay upfront?
Most dentists do require you to make a payment upfront on the day of your treatment, at least the estimated portion that you're responsible for. That is a very common financial policy for dental offices because payment is expected on the day of service. There is rarely an exception to that rule.
How do I get dental insurance if my job doesn't offer it?
There are multiple ways to get dental insurance. Your employer may already include dental insurance in your benefits package. If your employer doesn't offer dental benefits, you can buy a stand-alone plan or supplemental dental coverage through the health care marketplace or directly with a private insurance company.
How do you ask a dentist if they accept your insurance?
Contact Dentists in Your Area
Contact them directly and ask what insurance plans they accept. You'll learn the most updated information on their insurance policies and get a chance to ask them other questions, like what services they provide or if they can accommodate any specific needs.