Root canal treatment in Pakistan costs PKR 25,000 to PKR 30,000 at The Dental Clinic, depending on how many roots the tooth has and how severe the infection is. A root canal is the most common way to save a tooth when the nerve has become infected or inflamed, making it a critical treatment that prevents extraction and bone loss.
The cost of a root canal is separate from the cost of the crown or restoration placed afterward to protect the treated tooth. Patients often need a crown or temporary filling after root canal treatment, which adds to the total treatment cost. Understanding what a root canal costs and what affects the price helps you plan treatment and budget accurately.
What Is the Root Canal Treatment Price in Pakistan?
Root canal treatment at The Dental Clinic costs PKR 25,000 to PKR 30,000 for a single tooth. The price range reflects the number and complexity of the tooth’s roots. A tooth with a single root costs less than one with two or three roots, because treating additional roots requires more time and material.
Additional procedures often needed alongside root canal treatment, such as a post and core build-up, temporary filling, or crown, are billed separately.
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is an endodontic procedure that removes the infected or inflamed nerve tissue (pulp) from inside a tooth. The canal is then cleaned, disinfected, and filled with a biocompatible material to seal it off. This stops pain, eliminates the infection, and allows the tooth to be restored and kept for many more years rather than extracted.
A tooth’s nerve can become infected for several reasons: deep decay that has reached the pulp, trauma or cracking that exposed the nerve, repeated dental procedures on the same tooth, or advanced gum disease affecting the root. Once the nerve is infected, a root canal is usually the only way to save the tooth.
How Much Does Root Canal Treatment Cost?
The standard cost of root canal treatment in Pakistan is PKR 25,000 to PKR 30,000 per tooth. This is the cost for the procedure itself and covers everything involved in cleaning and filling the canal.
| Procedure | Cost (PKR) |
|---|---|
| Root canal treatment (per tooth) | 25,000 to 30,000 |
| Post and core build-up | 10,000 |
| Temporary filling | Included |
| Temporary crown or cap | 5,000 to 10,000 (additional) |
| Permanent crown (after root canal) | 15,000 to 50,000 (separate cost) |
| X-ray or imaging | 500 |
A root canal procedure itself does not include the permanent crown, which is placed afterward once the tooth has fully healed. Plan to budget for both the root canal and the crown if your tooth needs protection.
What Factors Affect Root Canal Cost in Pakistan?
How Many Roots Does the Tooth Have?
A front tooth usually has one root. A premolar may have one or two roots. A molar typically has two to three roots. Treating more roots means more time, more medication, and more filling material, so the procedure costs toward the higher end of the range. Your dentist can see how many roots a tooth has on an X-ray before treatment begins.
How Severe Is the Infection?
A simple case where the nerve is dying but the tooth has no swelling or abscess costs less than a complex case with a large abscess around the root or pus formation. Complex infections may require multiple visits or additional appointments to ensure the infection is fully cleared before sealing the tooth.
Does the Tooth Need a Post and Core?
After a root canal, if the tooth is weak or has lost a lot of structure from decay, a post and core build-up (PKR 10,000) is needed to give the crown something solid to attach to. This is a separate charge from the root canal itself.
Will the Tooth Need a Crown After?
Nearly all root canal-treated teeth need a crown to protect them from cracking under normal chewing force. A permanent crown costs PKR 15,000 to PKR 50,000 depending on the material (metal, porcelain, or zirconia) and is a separate charge from the root canal.
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Root Canal Treatment Price Breakdown
A realistic cost estimate for root canal treatment on a molar with a severe infection, plus the restoration afterward, looks like this:
| Item | Price (PKR) |
|---|---|
| Root canal treatment (multi-root tooth) | 30,000 |
| Post and core build-up | 10,000 |
| Temporary crown | 7,500 |
| Permanent zirconia crown | 45,000 |
| Total | 92,500 |
If the tooth is a single-rooted front tooth and the case is straightforward, the cost is lower. A more conservative estimate for a simple front-tooth root canal with a porcelain crown would be:
| Item | Price (PKR) |
|---|---|
| Root canal treatment (single root) | 25,000 |
| Permanent porcelain crown | 25,000 |
| Total | 50,000 |
These are typical scenarios. Your exact cost depends on the tooth treated and what your dentist finds during the initial exam.
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What Is the Cost of Root Canal Treatment for Different Tooth Types?
Front Tooth Root Canal Cost
A root canal on a front tooth (incisor or canine) usually costs toward the lower end of the range because front teeth typically have one root. The treatment itself costs PKR 25,000 to PKR 27,000. However, front teeth usually need a more aesthetic crown afterward (zirconia or porcelain), which adds PKR 25,000 to PKR 50,000, making the total significant.
Premolar Root Canal Cost
A premolar may have one or two roots. Root canal treatment on a premolar costs PKR 25,000 to PKR 30,000, depending on whether one or both roots need treatment. Premolars are not fully visible when smiling, so a less expensive metal or porcelain crown is often acceptable.
Molar Root Canal Cost
A molar typically has two to three roots, making the procedure more complex. Root canal treatment on a molar costs PKR 28,000 to PKR 30,000. Molars bear significant chewing force, so a strong crown is important; a zirconia or porcelain crown (PKR 25,000 to PKR 50,000) is a good investment.
How Long Does a Root Canal Take?
A straightforward root canal on a front tooth with a single root may be completed in one visit, though this depends on how inflamed or infected the nerve is. If the tooth has multiple roots or the infection is severe, treatment may take two or three visits:
First Visit: Initial root canal. The tooth is numbed, the infected pulp is removed, and the canal is cleaned and shaped. A temporary filling is placed, and the tooth is sealed.
Follow-up Visits: If needed, the dentist checks for signs the infection has cleared and completes the final fill. Some cases require an additional appointment between visits to allow medication to work.
Once root canal treatment is complete, a permanent crown is usually placed within one to two weeks. Avoid biting hard on the tooth while waiting for the crown, as the temporary filling is not as strong as a permanent restoration.
Is Root Canal Treatment Necessary?
Yes, when the nerve is infected or dead. The alternatives to root canal treatment are:
Extraction: The tooth is removed entirely. While less expensive initially, extraction leads to bone loss around the empty space and makes it harder to chew. Replacing an extracted tooth later with an implant or bridge costs significantly more than a root canal and crown combined.
Waiting or Ignoring the Pain: Infected nerves do not heal on their own. Without treatment, the infection worsens, spreads to the bone, and becomes dangerous. An untreated infected tooth can lead to a life-threatening abscess.
Root canal treatment is the most effective way to save your natural tooth and is less costly in the long term than extraction and replacement.
Does Root Canal Treatment Hurt?
Modern root canal treatment is not painful. The tooth is thoroughly numbed with local anesthesia before any procedure, so you should feel pressure and vibration but not sharp pain. If you feel pain during treatment, tell your dentist immediately so they can give more anesthesia.
After treatment, mild tenderness or sensitivity for a few days is normal and manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. If pain is severe or lasts more than a week, contact your dentist.
How Long Will a Root Canal-Treated Tooth Last?
A tooth that has had successful root canal treatment can last a lifetime with proper care. The tooth is no longer alive—the nerve has been removed—so it cannot develop new cavities inside the canal. However, the crown placed on top protects it and determines how long the restoration lasts.
A properly made and well-maintained crown can last 10 to 20 years. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups help protect both the crown and the treated tooth underneath.
Root Canal vs. Extraction: Which Is Cheaper?
At first glance, extraction seems cheaper—a simple extraction costs PKR 10,000 to PKR 15,000, far less than a root canal and crown. However, an extracted tooth leaves a gap in your mouth that needs filling. Replacing a lost tooth with an implant costs PKR 90,000 to PKR 320,000 plus PKR 30,000 to PKR 50,000 for a crown. A bridge costs PKR 25,000 to PKR 30,000 per tooth but weakens adjacent teeth.
Root canal treatment plus a crown (PKR 50,000 to PKR 80,000 total) saves money in the long run and preserves your natural tooth and jawbone.
Root Canal Treatment Cost Comparison by Tooth Type
| Tooth Type | Root Canal Cost | Crown Cost | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front tooth (single root) | 25,000 to 27,000 | 25,000 to 50,000 | 50,000 to 77,000 |
| Premolar (one to two roots) | 25,000 to 30,000 | 15,000 to 30,000 | 40,000 to 60,000 |
| Molar (two to three roots) | 28,000 to 30,000 | 25,000 to 50,000 | 53,000 to 80,000 |
These estimates assume no complications and a single treatment visit. Cases with severe infection, calcified canals, or previous failed treatment may take multiple visits and cost more.
Is Root Canal Treatment Covered by Insurance?
Insurance coverage for root canal treatment varies by plan. Some plans cover 50% of the cost of endodontic treatment; others cover less or exclude it. Check your policy or call your insurance provider to confirm coverage before scheduling treatment.
If you do not have insurance, ask The Dental Clinic about payment options or flexible financing plans that can help manage the cost.
When Is Root Canal Treatment Recommended?
Your dentist recommends root canal treatment when:
You have an infected or dying nerve, usually shown by severe pain, swelling of the gum or face, sensitivity to temperature, or an abscess. An X-ray confirms whether the nerve is infected.
The tooth is important to keep. Front teeth and premolars usually warrant treatment to avoid gaps in your smile. Molars are also worth saving if they are still structurally sound.
The tooth can support a crown. If the tooth is too damaged to support a restoration after treatment, extraction may be the better choice.
Your general health allows it. Patients with uncontrolled diabetes or immune system disorders may not be good candidates and should discuss treatment with their dentist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Root canal treatment in Pakistan costs PKR 25,000 to PKR 30,000 per tooth at The Dental Clinic. The price varies based on the number of root canals in the tooth and the severity of the infection.
Yes, root canal treatment for molars costs PKR 28,000 to PKR 30,000 because back teeth have two to three root canals. Front teeth have a single root canal and cost PKR 25,000 to PKR 27,000.
No, the crown is not included in root canal treatment cost. Root canal treatment (PKR 25,000 to PKR 30,000) covers only nerve removal and canal sealing. The permanent crown, priced separately at PKR 15,000 to PKR 50,000, is placed after the tooth heals.
A temporary filling after root canal treatment is included in the base treatment cost at no extra charge. A temporary crown, used to protect the tooth while the permanent crown is made, costs an additional PKR 5,000 to PKR 10,000.
Root canal treatment is generally better than extraction because it preserves the natural tooth and jawbone. Extraction costs less upfront but requires a replacement, such as a dental implant (PKR 90,000 to PKR 320,000) or bridge, to restore chewing function.
Root canal treatment is completed in one visit in most cases. Severe infections or calcified canals may require a second visit, which the dentist will confirm at the initial appointment.
The Dental Clinic in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, has provided root canal treatment since 2009 under Dr. Saqib Minhas. Treatment starts with a clinical exam and X-ray to confirm the diagnosis and cost before scheduling. Book a consultation at thedentalclinic.com.pk or call 0316-0200011.
Services We offer:
Titanium Implants | Swiss Implants | German Implants | Korean Implants
Composite Bonding | Fluoride Treatment | Teeth Gap Closure | Invisible Aligners