Root canal treatment at Trust Dental Surgery costs between $650 and $1,300 per tooth (before GST), depending on whether it is a front tooth, premolar, or molar. A crown is usually needed afterwards and costs $950–$1,300. The root canal fee covers the procedure itself; consultation, X-rays, any temporary filling and the crown are billed separately. Patients aged 60 and above can use Flexi-MediSave (up to $400/year), and CHAS subsidies may also apply for eligible cardholders.
How Much Does a Root Canal Cost in Singapore?
Root canal treatment in Singapore generally costs between $650 and $1,300 per tooth before GST. The exact price depends primarily on which tooth needs treatment, because different teeth have different numbers of root canals that need to be cleaned and sealed.
Root Canal Pricing at Trust Dental Surgery
| Tooth type | Number of canals | Cost (before GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Front tooth (incisor/canine) | 1 canal | From $650 |
| Premolar | 1–2 canals | From $750 |
| Molar | 3–4 canals | From $1,300 |
All prices are before GST (9%). A clear cost breakdown is provided before treatment begins, so there are no surprises.
What the Root Canal Fee Does and Doesn’t Include
The fees above are for the root canal procedure itself — cleaning, shaping and sealing the canals across the visits needed. The following are billed as separate items, and several of them carry their own CHAS subsidy:
| Item | Included in the root canal fee? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Root canal procedure (all visits) | Yes | $650 front tooth · $750 premolar · $1,300 molar |
| Consultation | No — billed separately | CHAS-subsidised (Orange $13.50 to Pioneer Generation $30.50) |
| X-rays | No — billed separately | CHAS-subsidised (Orange $7.50 to Pioneer Generation $21) |
| Temporary filling between visits | No — billed separately | Protects the tooth while treatment is in progress |
| Permanent crown | No — quoted separately | $950–$1,300 by material; CHAS-subsidised (Orange $410 to Pioneer Generation $625) |
Root Canal Plus Crown: Total Cost by Tooth
Because most root canal-treated teeth need a crown, the number patients actually plan around is the combined figure. Using Trust Dental Surgery’s prices (root canal fee plus a $950–$1,300 crown, before GST and before any CHAS or Flexi-MediSave subsidy):
| Tooth | Root canal | Crown | Combined total (before subsidies) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front tooth | From $650 | $950–$1,300 | $1,600–$1,950 |
| Premolar | From $750 | $950–$1,300 | $1,700–$2,050 |
| Molar | From $1,300 | $950–$1,300 | $2,250–$2,600 |
Consultation, X-rays and any temporary filling are added to these totals. Eligible CHAS cardholders receive subsidies on both the root canal and the crown (see the CHAS section below), so the amount paid can be considerably lower.
What Affects the Cost of a Root Canal?
Several factors influence the final price of your root canal treatment.
1. Tooth Location and Complexity
This is the single largest cost factor. Front teeth have one canal and straightforward anatomy, making them quicker to treat. Molars at the back of the mouth have three to four canals with curved, branching roots that require more time, skill, and materials. A molar root canal can take twice as long as a front-tooth root canal.
2. Severity of Infection
A tooth with a large abscess or complex infection may require additional visits, more extensive cleaning, or temporary medication placed inside the canals between appointments. This can add to the overall treatment time but not necessarily to the quoted fee — your dentist will discuss this upfront.
3. Whether a Crown Is Needed
In most cases, a dental crown is recommended after root canal to protect the treated tooth from fracture. Crown costs depend on the material chosen:
| Crown type | Cost (before GST) |
|---|---|
| Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) | $1,200 |
| Full ceramic / zirconia | $1,300 |
| Gold alloy | From $1,000 |
For a deeper look at crown options, see our dental crown cost guide.
4. Need for Retreatment
If a previous root canal has failed and the tooth has become re-infected, retreatment is more complex than a first-time procedure. The old filling material must be removed, the canals re-cleaned, and new sealing material placed. Retreatment fees may be higher than an initial root canal.
Medisave, Flexi-MediSave & Root Canal Treatment
Standard Medisave does not cover routine root canal treatment, because root canal is classified as an outpatient dental procedure rather than a surgical one. However, there are important exceptions.
Flexi-MediSave (Aged 60 and Above)
Patients aged 60 and above can use Flexi-MediSave of up to $400 per year for root canal treatment and permanent crowns at CHAS dental clinics from 1 June 2026. This includes root canal treatment. Trust Dental Surgery is a CHAS- and Medisave-accredited clinic, so eligible patients can tap into this benefit directly. For the full picture — who qualifies, what the $400 covers and how to claim — read Can I use Medisave for root canal treatment in Singapore?
Medisave for Surgical Cases
In certain situations where root canal treatment is performed as part of a surgical procedure (for example, an apicoectomy — surgical removal of the root tip), Medisave may be applicable. Your dentist will advise whether your case qualifies.
CHAS Subsidies for Root Canal
CHAS (Community Health Assist Scheme) subsidies reduce the out-of-pocket cost of root canal treatment for eligible Singapore citizens at CHAS dental clinics such as Trust Dental Surgery. The subsidy is fixed per tooth type and per card tier (schedule effective 1 October 2025):
| CHAS subsidy (per tooth) | CHAS Orange | CHAS Blue | Merdeka Generation | Pioneer Generation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Root canal — front tooth | $217.50 | $326.00 | $331.00 | $336.00 |
| Root canal — premolar | $308.50 | $462.50 | $467.50 | $472.50 |
| Root canal — molar | $389.50 | $584.50 | $589.50 | $594.50 |
| Permanent crown | $410.00 | $615.00 | $620.00 | $625.00 |
Root canal subsidies can be claimed for up to two teeth a year, and crowns for up to four. CHAS Green cards do not carry dental subsidies.
Worked Example: Molar Root Canal After CHAS
Applying the molar subsidy to Trust Dental Surgery’s $1,300 molar root canal fee (before GST; consultation, X-rays, temporary filling and crown separate):
| Card | Molar root canal fee | CHAS subsidy | You pay for the root canal |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHAS Orange | $1,300 | − $389.50 | $910.50 |
| CHAS Blue | $1,300 | − $584.50 | $715.50 |
| Merdeka Generation | $1,300 | − $589.50 | $710.50 |
| Pioneer Generation | $1,300 | − $594.50 | $705.50 |
The crown, consultation and X-rays attract their own subsidies on top of this. Patients aged 60 and above can apply Flexi-MediSave (up to $400 a year) to the remaining balance for root canal treatment and permanent crowns from 1 June 2026. Subsidies are applied at the point of payment — bring your CHAS card and NRIC. For a full guide to maximising your dental subsidies, see our CHAS dental benefits article.
Root Canal vs Extraction: A Cost Comparison
Some patients wonder whether it is cheaper to simply extract the tooth rather than save it with a root canal. While extraction has a lower upfront cost, replacing the missing tooth afterwards (with a dental implant, bridge, or denture) often costs significantly more in the long run.
| Option | Estimated total cost |
|---|---|
| Root canal + crown | $1,600 – $2,600 (see table above) |
| Extraction + dental implant | $2,449 – $3,449 (implant with crown, before Medisave) + $150 simple extraction |
| Extraction + dental bridge | $1,800 – $4,500 (3-unit bridge) |
| Extraction only (no replacement) | $150 – $350, but risks bone loss and teeth shifting |
Saving your natural tooth with a root canal is almost always the more cost-effective and clinically preferred option when the tooth can be preserved. Read our full comparison in Root Canal vs Extraction: Which Is Right for You?
How to Keep Root Canal Costs Down
While root canal treatment is an investment in your oral health, there are practical ways to manage the cost:
- Do not delay treatment. A tooth that needs a root canal today may need extraction tomorrow if the infection worsens — and replacing a missing tooth costs far more.
- Use your CHAS card. If you are eligible, CHAS subsidies reduce your out-of-pocket cost at the point of payment.
- Tap Flexi-MediSave if aged 60+. Up to $400 per year can be used for root canal treatment and permanent crowns at CHAS dental clinics (from 1 June 2026).
- Ask about payment plans. Some clinics offer instalment options for larger treatment bills.
- Prioritise prevention. Regular scaling and polishing and dental check-ups catch problems early, before they reach the pulp and require root canal treatment.
Sources
- Ministry of Health, Update on the review of the use of MediSave for root canal treatment (8 January 2025) — standard root canal not claimable under Medisave.
- Ministry of Health, Enhanced financing support for CHAS dental procedures (1 September 2025) — Flexi-MediSave $400 a year for root canal treatment and permanent crowns from mid-2026; enhanced CHAS dental subsidies from 1 October 2025.
- CHAS dental subsidy schedule, effective 1 October 2025 (chas.sg).
Related Reading
- Root Canal Treatment: What to Expect — step-by-step walkthrough of the procedure, recovery, and aftercare.
- 7 Signs You Need a Root Canal — symptoms to watch for and when to see a dentist.
- Root Canal vs Extraction: Which Is Right for You? — a full comparison to help you decide.
- Can I Use Medisave for Root Canal Treatment in Singapore? — standard Medisave, Flexi-MediSave and surgical cases explained.