Does supplementary dental insurance in Germany pay for a root canal?
In short
Yes, supplementary dental insurance in Germany pays for a root canal if the policy includes dental treatment. It then pays in full or in part, especially microscope and other private extras. Public health insurance pays the basic treatment if the tooth is worth saving. Privately a root canal costs about EUR 200 to 1,000. Policies covering only dentures and crowns do not pay for it.
Costs of a root canal in Germany without public cover and for private extras.
Example
Typical range
Basic root canal as public service
EUR 0 own share
Private root canal
about EUR 200 to 500
Root canal with operating microscope
about EUR 300 to 1,000
Redoing an old root filling
about EUR 400 to 1,200
Price ranges from a published cost overview, as of October 2026.
The bill depends on the number of canals, fee factor and practice.
Worked example
Lower molar, public insurance pays the basic treatment
The dentist recommends treatment with an operating microscope. The policy has a treatment module at 90 percent.
Basic treatment
public insurance
Private extras microscope and length measurement
about EUR 450
90 percent reimbursement
about EUR 405
Own share
about EUR 45
Without a treatment module you pay the EUR 450 yourself. A dentures only policy pays nothing here.
What public health insurance pays for a root canal
Statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) covers the basic root canal if, under the treatment guideline of the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), the tooth can and should be saved and the canal can be prepared and filled to near the tip.
For molars the guideline says treatment is usually indicated to keep a closed row of teeth, avoid a one sided free end or preserve working dentures. If none applies, public insurance only pays for extraction, and the root canal becomes a private service.
When supplementary dental insurance pays
A supplementary dental policy (Zahnzusatzversicherung) only pays for a root canal if it includes a dental treatment or tooth preservation module. Policies that only cover dentures, crowns, bridges and implants do not pay, even if a crown is needed afterwards.
With the module, depending on the policy, it reimburses private extras such as an operating microscope, electronic length measurement or laser, and the whole root canal where public insurance does not pay. The percentage is in your policy, as is whether it pays up to the maximum rate of the dental fee scale.
Case
Public insurance
Supplementary policy with treatment module
Front tooth worth saving
basic treatment
extras depending on policy
Molar in a closed row
basic treatment
extras depending on policy
Molar, guideline not met
extraction only
private root canal in full or part
Redoing an old root filling
only under conditions
depending on policy
Dentures only policy
as above
nothing
The limits: advised, started, waiting period
A root canal that was already advised or started when you took out the policy is excluded. Often the crown on the same tooth is too, as part of the ongoing treatment. If you sign up with toothache, that tooth will normally not be paid for.
Many policies have a waiting period of a few months for dental treatment and limit benefits in the first years. Check whether the starting limits apply only to dentures or also to treatment.
Is a policy worth it for root canals?
Public insurance pays the basic treatment in many cases anyway. A treatment module pays off mainly if you want microscope treatment or have molars with large fillings where a root canal may become necessary.
If your teeth are healthy and you have few fillings, a policy for dentures and prophylaxis is often enough. A single private root canal is then cheaper to pay from savings than years of premiums.
Step by step
Check whether your policy covers dental treatment or tooth preservation.
Ask the practice for a cost estimate with public and private shares.
Check waiting period and starting limits for treatment.
Send the estimate to the insurer before treatment starts.
Submit invoice and X ray findings afterwards.
Checklist
Dental treatment module in the policy
Reimbursement up to the maximum fee rate
Microscope and length measurement named
Waiting period for treatment over
Treatment not advised before the policy started
Common mistakes
Taking a dentures only policy and expecting root canal benefits
Signing up with acute pain and hoping for a refund
Assuming the crown after the root canal is newly covered
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Does public health insurance in Germany pay for a root canal?
The basic treatment yes, if the tooth is worth saving under the guideline.
Extra conditions apply to molars.
What does a private root canal cost?
About EUR 200 to 500, with microscope EUR 300 to 1,000, a retreatment EUR 400 to 1,200.
Does the policy pay the crown after a root canal?
If both were newly advised after the start, as dentures yes.
If the root canal was already under way, the crown is often excluded as follow up treatment.
Is there a waiting period?
Many policies have one, usually a few months for dental treatment.
