Yes, AHCCCS covers root canals for children under the age of 21 when they are medically necessary.
The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is a federal Medicaid health care and dental coverage program that the state of Arizona administers. AHCCCS works through participating state Medicaid agencies and health plans to provide coverage for the costs of medical and dental treatment for low-income families who qualify for the program.
At The Kids Dental Office of Phoenix, we happily accept AHCCCS coverage (and other dental insurance) for medically necessary root canals. To set up an appointment with one of our pediatric dentists or to learn more about whether AHCCCS insurance is available for your child, call us at (602) 903-4894 or contact us online to request an appointment.
What is Root Canal Treatment?
A child’s teeth may become damaged to the point that the tooth’s dental pulp underneath the outer layers of tooth enamel and dentin becomes infected, inflamed, or both. This can result from:
- Cracked teeth
- Severe tooth decay
- Repeated dental procedures on the tooth
- Faulty crowns
In some situations, inflamed pulp can result even if no apparent damage to the tooth surface exists. In other cases, genetics can also play a role.
The dental pulp contains nerves that, when exposed, can cause intense pain during biting or chewing. It may also cause extreme sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks.
Root canal treatment often saves the injured tooth and removes the pain.
Root canal treatments repair damage to the affected teeth by thoroughly and carefully cleaning out and disinfecting the inside of the tooth, removing the affected pulp, and replacing it with sanitary filling material. The tooth is then resealed with a filling or a crown. The result is a fully repaired tooth that functions like other undamaged teeth.
Is Root Canal Treatment Cost Expensive?
Root canal treatment is more involved and expensive than filling a cavity but less costly than a tooth extraction. The cost depends partly on the extent of the underlying pulp damage and which tooth needs to be treated. For example, molars are more challenging to treat and cost more.
Dental insurance coverage can reduce or eliminate the need to pay for root canal treatment out of pocket. AHCCCS insurance coverage can be helpful for families whose incomes might otherwise make it hard to pay for root canals.
Does AHCCCS Medicaid Cover Root Canals?
The AHCCCS children’s health insurance program pays for all dental checkups, preventive care, cleanings, teeth maintenance, treatments, and restorative services, including root canals, for children under 21.
Other comprehensive care dental services that AHCCCS Medicaid coverage pays for include:
- Dental exams
- Dental cleanings
- Fillings for cavities
- X-rays to screen for dental problems
- Infections restoration
- Application of fluoride
- Dental sealants
- Emergency dental services
You do not need a referral from a doctor to use AHCCCS dental coverage.
For adults 21 or older, AHCCCS pays for some adult dental coverage at practices that accept Medicaid. Services are limited to emergency services to relieve pain and infection. This includes root canals and vital pulpotomies when necessary to treat acute infection or eliminate pain.
Unlike AHCCCS, which provides free dental care for children, adults enrolled under the AHCCCS Medicaid program are generally eligible for up to $1,000 per year to pay for emergency dental work. Other services for adult Medicaid recipients are also covered, like medical necessity coverage for AHCCCS adult members who need a transplant or treatment for some cancers.
Trust The Kids Dental Office of Phoenix for Your Child’s Root Canal Procedure
The best dentist in Scottsdale for your children’s dental care is one you can trust to handle any oral health issue, including dental emergencies.
We offer child dental services in Phoenix through all stages of your child’s growth, all the way to adulthood, including checkups, dental fillings, braces and aligners, and oral surgery services. We can help you with practical advice on encouraging good oral hygiene habits for your children and answer any questions you have about their dental health.
To schedule an appointment with one of our pediatric dentists, call us in Phoenix at (602) 903-4894. If you prefer to contact us online to ask a question or to schedule an appointment, you can reach us here.
