The Real Cost of Delaying a Root Canal Treatment

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December 29, 2025

Ever felt a sharp, lingering pain while sipping coffee or a dull throb in your jaw that just won’t go away? Attention, your body is likely sending you a warning. For many, the phrase “root canal” triggers anxiety, leading to the decision to delay a root canal in hopes the pain will subside.

However, at Radiant Smiles Dentistry in Prosper, we see firsthand how a manageable issue can transform into a dental emergency. According to the CDC’s 2024 Oral Health Surveillance Report, nearly 21% of adults aged 20–64 have at least one untreated cavity. When these cavities are ignored, they often progress into deep infections that require immediate endodontic treatment.

Knowing the expenses of a root canal, in terms of both cost and physical impact, is crucial for safeguarding your smile and finances.

Why Root Canal Treatment is Needed

A root canal treatment becomes necessary when the soft inner tissue of your tooth, known as the pulp, becomes inflamed or infected. This can happen due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures, or a crack in the tooth.

The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels; once bacteria penetrate this area, the body cannot heal it on its own. Without intervention from a professional dentist in Prosper, TX, the infection will continue to eat away at the tooth structure and eventually spread to the surrounding bone.

What Happens When You Delay a Root Canal

Many people think once the pain is gone, the infection is gone too. But the truth is, when people feel pain disappear, it is because the nerves within the mouth have died. Of course, people feel temporary pain relief, but the untreated tooth infection is definitely very much alive and eating away at the jawbone surrounding the tooth.

As the infection progresses, it can lead to the formation of a dental abscess,a painful pocket of pus. Recent industry data shows that approximately 200,000 Americans visit emergency rooms every year due to dental abscesses and severe oral infections (Source: Impressions Dental 2025 Trends).

The Financial Impact of Delaying Treatment

One of the biggest misconceptions is that delaying a root canal saves money. In truth, the cost of root canal delay grows exponentially over time.

Early Stage: A simple filling or a standard root canal.
Late Stage: If the tooth becomes unsalvageable, you face the root canal vs extraction cost dilemma. While an extraction is cheaper upfront, the long-term cost of a missing tooth is high. To prevent bone loss and shifting teeth, you will likely need dental implants, dental crowns, and bridges.

The Difference: A root canal and crown typically cost between $1,500 and $3,000. In contrast, a single dental implant and crown can range from $3,000 to $6,000

Health Risks of Avoiding a Root Canal

The tooth infection risks extend far beyond your mouth. Because your oral health is connected to your systemic health, a localized infection can enter the bloodstream.

Bone Loss: The infection can erode the jawbone, leading to facial sagging and the loss of adjacent healthy teeth.
Systemic Issues: Untreated infections have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, respiratory infections, and, in extreme cases, sepsis.
Emergency Complications: Severe dental abscesses have a surprisingly high mortality rate (up to 40%) if the infection spreads to the brain or chest (Mediastinitis). However, this is rare with modern medical access (Source: CDC/WHO).

Also Read: Warning Signs of Oral Teeth Infections You Should Never Ignore

Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore

Knowing the tooth abscess symptoms can help you seek help before the damage becomes irreversible. Contact a root canal near me if you experience:

Persistent, throbbing toothache that radiates to the jaw, neck, or ear.
Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold that lingers for minutes.
Swollen, tender, or discolored gums.
A “pimple” or bump on the gums (fistula) that may leak foul-tasting fluid.
Darkening or discoloration of the affected tooth.

Why Early Root Canal Treatment Saves Money

At Radiant Smiles, we focus on restorative dentistry that prioritizes your natural teeth. Choosing treatment early is the most cost-effective path for several reasons:

Preservation: You keep your natural tooth, which maintains your natural bite and jaw alignment.
Simplicity: A primary root canal has a success rate of 95% or higher.
Prevention: It stops the infection before it requires expensive bone grafting or emergency surgery.

For those without insurance, our Smile Club offers significant savings on procedures, ensuring that the cost of a root canal delay doesn’t prevent you from getting the care you need.

The real cost of delaying a root canal isn’t just a higher dental bill; it’s the risk of losing your tooth and compromising your overall health. Modern endodontic treatment at Radiant Smiles is designed to be gentle, efficient, and restorative. If you are experiencing discomfort, don’t wait for the symptoms to worsen. Contact Us, to save your smile today.

FAQs

Can a delayed root canal lead to tooth loss?

Yes. If the infection is left untreated, it will eventually destroy the supporting bone and the tooth structure itself. Once the damage is too extensive, the tooth must be extracted.

Why does a small cavity become a root canal case?

A cavity is a hole in the enamel. If not filled, bacteria travel through the dentin and reach the pulp (nerve). Once bacteria enter the pulp, a standard filling is no longer enough, and a root canal is required to clear the infection.

Can a tooth infection spread to other parts of the body?

Absolutely. Bacteria from an untreated tooth infection can enter the bloodstream (bacteremia) or spread through the tissues of the face and neck, potentially leading to serious conditions like cellulitis or sepsis.