The cost of a root canal in Singapore starts from $400 at Caring Dental, and CHAS subsidies of $217.50 to $594.50 per claim can significantly reduce what you pay. From mid-2026, the Ministry of Health has also announced Flexi-MediSave support of up to $400 a year for seniors aged 60 and above having root canal treatment at CHAS dental clinics.
A root canal is the treatment nobody wants to need, and the first two questions are almost always the same: how much, and will it hurt. This guide answers the money question properly, including the subsidies most patients do not know they can use, and explains what the root canal treatment itself involves.
What Affects the Cost of a Root Canal
Our root canal fees start from $400. Three things move the price:
- Which tooth. Front teeth (incisors and canines) have a single canal and are the most straightforward. Premolars usually have one or two. Molars have three or more canals, take longer, and cost the most.
- How complex the infection is. Curved or narrow canals, retreatment of an old root canal, or an infection that has spread all take more time.
- The crown afterwards. Most root canal treated back teeth need a crown to protect them, which is priced separately. Your dentist will tell you upfront whether yours will.
You will get the full breakdown, including the crown if needed, before treatment starts. Since 1 October 2025, CHAS dental clinics are also required by the Ministry of Health (2025) to display MOH fee benchmarks next to their price lists, so you can see how a quote compares with typical fees.
Subsidies That Apply to Root Canal Treatment
CHAS, Merdeka Generation and Pioneer Generation
Root canal treatment is one of the seven restorative dental procedures whose CHAS subsidies were increased from 1 October 2025. According to the Ministry of Health (2025), the per-claim subsidies now range from:
| Tooth type | Subsidy range (by card) |
|---|---|
| Front tooth (anterior) | $217.50 to $336 |
| Molar | $389.50 to $594.50 |
The lower figure applies to CHAS Orange and the higher to Pioneer Generation cardholders, with CHAS Blue and Merdeka Generation in between. The subsidy is deducted from your bill at the counter at any of our four CHAS-registered clinics. For how the card tiers work, see our CHAS dental subsidies guide.
Flexi-MediSave for Seniors From Mid-2026
The Ministry of Health (2025) has announced that from mid-2026, seniors aged 60 and above can tap Flexi-MediSave to offset up to $400 per year for root canal treatments and permanent crowns at CHAS dental clinics. This stacks with the CHAS or Pioneer/Merdeka Generation subsidy, which is applied first.
If you are 60 or above and have been told you need a root canal, mention it when you book and our front desk will walk you through what your card and Medisave can cover.
What a Root Canal Actually Involves
A root canal removes infected or inflamed pulp tissue from inside the tooth, cleans and disinfects the canals, and seals them. The point is to save a tooth that would otherwise need extraction.
The tooth is numbed throughout with local anaesthesia, so you should feel pressure and vibration rather than pain. Most patients find the experience closer to a long filling than to the horror stories. Treatment typically takes one to two visits, depending on the tooth and the infection.
Afterwards, the tooth may feel tender for a few days, which settles with ordinary painkillers. Once any crown is fitted, the tooth works like any other.
Signs a Tooth May Need a Root Canal
- Toothache that wakes you at night or throbs on its own
- Lingering pain after hot or cold food, long after the trigger is gone
- A pimple-like bump on the gum near a tooth
- A tooth that has darkened after a knock
- Pain when biting down on one particular tooth
Only an examination and X-ray can confirm it. Some of these symptoms have other causes, and sometimes a badly decayed tooth needs a different treatment entirely. If a tooth cannot be saved, your dentist will discuss the alternatives with you honestly, including extraction and replacement options.
Root Canal at Caring Dental
Root canal treatment is available at all four of our clinics, in Punggol, Sengkang, Anchorvale and Woodlands, open 7 days a week (closed on public holidays). Bring your CHAS, Merdeka Generation or Pioneer Generation card and the subsidy is applied on the spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a root canal cost in Singapore?
From $400 at Caring Dental, depending mainly on the tooth: front teeth cost less, molars more. A protective crown, if needed, is priced separately.
Does CHAS cover root canal treatment?
Yes. Per the Ministry of Health (2025), subsidies from 1 October 2025 range from $217.50 to $336 per claim for front teeth and $389.50 to $594.50 for molars, depending on card type.
Can seniors use Medisave for a root canal?
From mid-2026, MOH has announced that seniors 60 and above can use Flexi-MediSave for up to $400 a year towards root canal treatments and permanent crowns at CHAS dental clinics.
Is root canal treatment painful?
The tooth is numbed throughout, so expect pressure rather than pain. For most patients the treatment relieves the toothache rather than adding to it.
Why do I need a crown afterwards?
Root canal treated teeth become more brittle. A crown protects the tooth from cracking, particularly for molars that take heavy chewing forces.
What happens if I delay?
The infection will not clear by itself and can spread to the surrounding bone. A dentist can tell you how urgent your case actually is after an examination.
Book an Assessment
If a tooth has been aching, book an appointment at whichever of our clinics suits you, and bring your subsidy card.
Need Dental Care?
Book an appointment at any of our 4 clinics. Open 7 days a week.
Request Call Back