Costs
If a nerve inside the tooth is inflamed, the last option is often to remove it and perform a root canal treatment. In general, it can be said that health insurance companies cover a large part of the root canal treatment. Nevertheless, many dentists charge additional costs if they use particularly modern mechanical procedures.
The modern methods of mechanical preparation are associated with higher chances of success of the therapy, but nevertheless an optimal root filling is also possible by the classical way of manual therapy. With the modern mechanical technique, the instruments used are much more expensive to use than the cost coverage provided by the health insurance companies. In general, however, there are also services that are not covered at all.
Not paid by the health insurance companies are the electrical length measurement of the root canals, the use of electrophysical and chemical methods and the insertion of more than 3 medical insoles. Also the revision, i.e. the revision and removal of a root canal filling that has not been optimally fabricated and its subsequent renewal is a private service for many dentists. The electrical length measurement, for example, is a treatment step that is only advantageous for the patient.
If the classical variant is used, an X-ray of the tooth must be taken to estimate the length. The modern length measurement is more accurate and protects the patient because it does not use harmful X-rays. The dentist can charge privately for services that are not covered by the insurance company.
Most dentists charge a co-payment per canal that is treated within one tooth. Patients have to expect a co-payment of 50-100 euros per canal. The respective co-payment must be clarified with the dentist in advance and can vary from practice to practice. It is advisable to contractually determine the costs prior to treatment, to obtain information and clarification in advance so that the co-payment is fully justified.
