Root Canal Costs in Korea: Insurance vs Out-of-Pocket

Introduction

Root canal treatment (endodontic therapy) is one of the most common dental procedures when infection or deep decay affects the nerve of a tooth. In South Korea, you can have this treatment with partial coverage under the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) or choose to pay fully out-of-pocket for a private (non-insured) procedure. Costs vary widely depending on insurance status, tooth complexity, clinic type, and whether you add a crown afterward.

Root Canal Costs With NHIS (Insurance Covered)

Under Korea’s National Health Insurance, root canal therapy is partially covered as a medically necessary treatment.

💰 Typical Insurance Costs

• NHIS coverage means you usually pay only the patient co-payment, not the full clinic price.
• Standard co-pay out-of-pocket for a single root canal appointment is often tens of thousands of KRW (≈ ₩30,000 ~ ₩60,000 per visit).
• Some statistics show basic endodontic procedures at around ₩11,000 to ₩25,000 per session before co-payment adjustments, depending on clinic type.
• Root canal therapy often requires multiple visits (commonly 3 visits), so your total insured cost will be your share × number of visits.

💡 Note: After the root canal, many patients also need a crown to protect the tooth; crowns are not covered by NHIS and will be charged separately (see below).

Root Canal Costs Without Insurance (Out-of-Pocket)

If you choose non-insured (private) treatment—common for foreign visitors, uninsured residents, or cosmetic options—the price will be higher but often still lower than in many Western countries.

💰 Typical Out-of-Pocket Price Ranges

👉 Clinic listed prices:

• Basic root canal: roughly ₩300,000 to ₩500,000 (~$210 – $350 USD) per tooth on average in many Seoul clinics.
• Some clinics list root canal costs (depending on complexity) as ₩50,000 ~ ₩120,000 if you pay privately but have some discounted insurance pricing.
• Private root canals at higher-end clinics or for molars with complex anatomy can reach ₩400,000 – ₩700,000 or more.

👉 Examples from dental sources:

• Many guides cite $130 – $350 USD as the general Korean root canal cost range.
• Other medical tourism listings show root canals around $199 USD.

Additional Costs to Expect

🦷 Crown After Root Canal

After the root canal, dentists usually recommend a crown to protect the tooth. Crowns are not covered by NHIS, so you pay fully out-of-pocket:

• Porcelain fused metal crown: typically ₩450,000 – ₩750,000+
• Zirconia/all-ceramic crown: often ₩500,000 – ₩900,000+
  These prices can vary by material and clinic.

🧪 X-Rays & Consultations

• Initial exam with X-ray: ~₩10,000 – ₩30,000 with NHIS; more if uninsured.

Factors That Affect Root Canal Costs in Korea

✅ Tooth type & complexity – Molars with multiple roots cost more.
✅ Clinic location & prestige – Gangnam/Seoul clinics may charge more.
✅ Insurance status – NHIS enrolled patients pay much less.
✅ Additional procedures – Crowns and post/core work add cost.

Summary

• With NHIS insurance: You pay a small co-payment per visit, usually tens of thousands of KRW rather than the full clinic price.
• Without insurance: Expect the full cost of a root canal to range from roughly ₩300,000 to ₩700,000+ per tooth.
• Crowns & extras: These are generally not covered and are paid out-of-pocket.

Practical Tips for Patients

✅ Always ask your dentist: “Is this NHIS-covered (보험) or non-insured (비급여)?” before starting treatment.
✅ If insured, bring your ARC & NHIS card to the clinic.
✅ Get a cost estimate in writing including predicted visits and crown needs.
✅ Consider second opinions—prices can vary significantly between clinics.