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Best Root Canal Dentists in San Diego, CA (2026)

121 clinics offering root canals, rankedUpdated 24 endodontists0 paid placementsHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Best overall for root canals: Relieve Root Canal Specialists, ranked #1 of 121 by service score; an endodontist on staff, 5.0★ from 404 Google reviews, 8 of 20 collected reviews mention root canals.

  2. 2

    Best specialist (endodontist): Rancho Dental Care, an endodontist on staff, 4.3★ from 267 Google reviews, 3 of 20 collected reviews mention root canals.

  3. 46

    Best for same-day pain relief: Western Dental Center: Gonzalez Alberto DDS, emergency visits, 1.7★ from 24 Google reviews.

  4. 8

    Best value: insurance accepted: Brighton Dental, accepts dental insurance, 4.9★ from 565 Google reviews.

Rankings can't be bought. Booking through us earns you a $60 gift card and doesn’t affect order. How we rank

121 San Diego clinics list root canals and are ranked here by service score. 24 list an endodontist, 1 offers same-day or emergency visits and 19 open Saturdays. Google ratings are on file for 85 of them.

Top 10 root canal dentists in San Diego at a glance

Top 10 root canal dentists in San Diego at a glance
RankClinicService scoreSpecialist on staffRating (reviews)Reviews mentioning root canal
1Relieve Root Canal Specialists86Yes (endodontist)5.0★ (404)8
2Rancho Dental Care84Yes (endodontist)4.3★ (267)3
3Mission Valley Endodontics78Yes (endodontist)4.9★ (174)9
4Nimmi Shine Dental of San Diego76—4.9★ (321)—
5Mission Hills Endodontics75Yes (endodontist)4.9★ (46)14
61AmazingSmile74Yes (endodontist)4.9★ (86)1
7A. Jayson Tengonciang, DMD74Yes (endodontist)5.0★ (25)13
8Brighton Dental74—4.9★ (565)—
9Blue Wave Dental Care73———
10Chula Vista Dental Arts73———

The 121 best root canal dentists in San Diego, ranked

Ordered by service score: the DR Score plus bonuses for a specialist on staff, reviews that mention the service and same-day care where it applies.

  1. #4 Nimmi Shine Dental of San Diego

    9888 Carroll Centre Rd Suite #112, San Diego, CA 92126

    76/100

    Ranked #4 for root canals in San Diego: 4.9★ from 321 Google reviews; Saturday hours.

    • 4.9from 321 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sat 8 AM–5 PM · Sun closed

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    Our goal is to accomplish the smile that our patients desire. We work with our patients so they can achieve and maintain a beautiful smile and healthy gums! We specialize in general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry and use the latest technology and techniques to give our patients outstanding results. Our patients leave our office with life changing results. We believe in Life Changing Dentistry and will always provide the services you want for your optimal health, wellness…

    From Nimmi Shine Dental of San Diego's own description. Not part of the ranking.
  2. #8 Brighton Dental

    10450 Friars Rd. Suite G, San Diego, CA 92120

    74/100

    Ranked #8 for root canals in San Diego: 4.9★ from 565 Google reviews.

    • 4.9from 565 Google reviews
    • Speaks English
    • Accepting new patients
    Hours
    Mon–Wed 8 AM–4 PM · Thu 8 AM–3 PM · Fri–Sun closed

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    At Brighton Dental in San Diego, CA, your smile is in expert hands with Dr. Paige Woods. With a comprehensive skill set that includes Crowns & Bridges, Implants, Extractions, Safe Amalgam Removal, and Veneers, Dr. Woods is a dentist you can trust for exceptional results. Her dedication to staying at the forefront of dental technology and techniques guarantees that you will receive the most advanced and effective treatments available. Dr. Woods' warm and compassionate…

    From Brighton Dental's own description. Not part of the ranking.
  3. 73/10015% of factors measured

    Ranked #9 for root canals in San Diego on access and profile data; Google ratings are not yet collected.

    Based on services and profile completeness; Google ratings not yet collected.

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    Voted Best Dentist by San Diego Reader's Best of 2022! Welcome to Dr. S. Lee Fleming Dentistry, your trusted Ocean Beach dentists. We have been proudly providing our patients with beautiful smiles for over 30 years! Our patients can expect honest providers, exceptional service, superior results, and an outstanding quality of care when they visit our office. We look forward to helping you achieve your most confident smile! Call our office at (619) 224-3391 to schedule your…

    From Blue Wave Dental Care's own description. Not part of the ranking.
  4. 73/10015% of factors measured

    Ranked #10 for root canals in San Diego on access and profile data; Google ratings are not yet collected.

    Based on services and profile completeness; Google ratings not yet collected.

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    We are proud to provide a state-of-the-art facility for the highest quality dental care available. It is one of our top priorities to protect the well-being of our valued patients. We are always welcoming new patients and we would love to have you as part of our dental family.

    From Chula Vista Dental Arts's own description. Not part of the ranking.
  5. #12 Comprehensive Health Center: Evangelista Melanie DDS

    3177 Ocean View Blvd, San Diego, CA 92113

    73/10015% of factors measured

    Ranked #12 for root canals in San Diego on access and profile data; Google ratings are not yet collected.

    Based on services and profile completeness; Google ratings not yet collected.

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

  6. #13 Comprehensive Health Center: Mallempalli Manimanjari DDS

    3177 Ocean View Blvd, San Diego, CA 92113, United States

    73/10015% of factors measured

    Ranked #13 for root canals in San Diego on access and profile data; Google ratings are not yet collected.

    Based on services and profile completeness; Google ratings not yet collected.

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

  7. 73/10015% of factors measured

    Ranked #17 for root canals in San Diego on access and profile data; Google ratings are not yet collected.

    Based on services and profile completeness; Google ratings not yet collected.

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    As a Smile Generation Trusted office, we welcome you to East Village Dental Group! With state-of-the-art infection control procedures in place, our #1 goal is to keep you and your family safe. We provide comprehensive specialty services with advanced, proven technology and offer customized financial solutions for you. We are proud to be your complete San Diego dental provider with services including Teledentistry, Same-Day Dental Crowns, Boost Whitening, Oral Surgery, Wisdom…

    From East Village Dental Group's own description. Not part of the ranking.
  8. 73/10015% of factors measured

    Ranked #20 for root canals in San Diego on access and profile data; Google ratings are not yet collected.

    Based on services and profile completeness; Google ratings not yet collected.

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    At Odontomedik, we are proud to offer holistic and biological dentistry in Tijuana Mexico. Among the many benefits that our patients enjoy when getting dental treatments done with us, is being treated with the Huggins protocol, use of the latest holistic dental techniques, bio-compatible materials, top quality service and a the amazing care of our expert dental team who is always looking out for the well-being of our patients.

    From Holistic Biological Dentistry Odontomedik's own description. Not part of the ranking.
  9. #23 Carmel Valley Dentist Office

    5550 Carmel Mountain Rd Ste 101, San Diego, CA 92130

    73/100

    Ranked #23 for root canals in San Diego: 4.4★ from 253 Google reviews; evening hours and Saturday hours.

    • 4.4from 253 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon 8:30 AM–5:30 PM · Tue–Wed 10 AM–7 PM · Thu 8:30 AM–5:30 PM · Fri 7:30 AM–3:30 PM · Sat 8 AM–5 PM · Sun closed

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    As a Smile Generation Trusted office, we welcome you to Carmel Valley Dentist Office and Orthodontics! With state-of-the-art infection control procedures in place, our #1 goal is to keep you and your family safe. We provide comprehensive specialty services with advanced, proven technology and offer customized financial solutions for you. We are proud to be your complete San Diego dental provider with services including Teledentistry, Same-Day Dental Crowns, Boost Whitening,…

    From Carmel Valley Dentist Office's own description. Not part of the ranking.
  10. #25 The Dental Express Point Loma

    4110 W Point Loma Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110

    72/100

    Ranked #25 for root canals in San Diego: 4.4★ from 397 Google reviews; 2 of 20 collected reviews mention root canals.

    • 4.4from 397 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat 9 AM–1 PM · Sun closed

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    At Dental Express Point Loma in San Diego, CA, our skilled dentists, Dr. Casey Ashmore, Dr. Jamie Ferguson, and Dr. Danielle McCourt, can perform a variety of restorative, pediatric, cosmetic, and functional dental procedures. Each dentist has years of experience and expertise in the dental industry. At our Point Loma location in San Diego, CA, we have a beautiful, fun environment with Art Deco, train-themed decorations, a comfortable waiting area, and state-of-the-art…

    From The Dental Express Point Loma's own description. Not part of the ranking.

All 121 clinics

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #121, in DR Score order; each links to its full profile.

RankClinicDR ScoreRating (reviews)Evenings / weekends
26Dr. Bajars & Bajars - Cosmetic Dentistry San Diego724.8★ (180)Evenings
27Tarabishi Dental724.4★ (102)Sat
28Damon Westwood, DDS, Inc724.6★ (18)
29Downtown SD Modern Dentistry724.1★ (316)Evenings
30Coastal Dental Arts724.8★ (356)
31Mission Valley Dental724.9★ (497)
32Doris Fill, D.D.S.714.9★ (903)
33Mission Trails Dentistry714.9★ (293)
34Mission Valley Dentists714.4★ (470)
35C&P Endodontics715.0★ (13)
36Mesa Dental714.9★ (1,859)
37Rancho Penasquitos Dentistry704.6★ (279)
38The Dental Express Downtown704.4★ (209)Sat
39Carter Michael D DDS704.5★ (21)
40Mission Hills Dental Group704.1★ (324)
41Lake Murray Medical & Dental Centre703.7★ (3)
42Bernardo Dental Care - Dr Sandhya Ramanujam704.5★ (35)
43Balboa Dental Care705.0★ (188)
44Pearls of Dentistry695.0★ (239)
45Hurst Dental Care694.8★ (209)Evenings
46Western Dental Center: Gonzalez Alberto DDS691.7★ (24)Evenings · Sat · Sun
47Center Point Dental Group694.9★ (67)Sat
48Carmel Mountain Dental Care694.8★ (985)
49Dentist in Rancho Bernardo & 4S Ranch | Hekmat Dental Care685.0★ (166)
50The Dental Express Hillcrest - Dentist in Hillcrest, CA684.3★ (116)Sat
51Scripps West Dental685.0★ (440)
52La Mesa Dental Services685.0★ (9)Sat
53Serena Family and Cosmetic Dentistry684.8★ (40)
54Scripps Poway Dental Care - Sorrento Valley684.8★ (194)
55Cabrillo Dental684.9★ (376)
56Rancho Penasquitos Dental Center684.9★ (168)
57Bella Vita Dental Hillcrest674.7★ (452)
58Campus Dentistry674.6★ (72)
59Dr. Frederick Hammond675.0★ (3)
60Rancho Bernardo Cosmetic & Family Dental Care674.6★ (27)Sat
61Sorrento Dental Care, Dr Mojdeh Abbasian674.8★ (177)
62Chung K Peter DDS67
63David Warren DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry67
64Dr. Marey E. Stone, DDS67
65Dr. William E. Lin, DDS67
66Imperial Beach Community Clinic67
67MCRD Dental Clinic67
68National Dental Care, Barangaroo67
69Nova Emergency Dental67
70Seacoast Pet Clinic67
71SmileCare67
72Swrmc branch dentAl clinic67
73Joy Dental665.0★ (2)
74Rosecrans Dental Office665.0★ (2)
75Orange Family Dental664.6★ (134)
76Park Dental Arts664.8★ (129)
77Smile Mission Valley Dental Center664.8★ (277)
78Pacific Smilekrafters664.7★ (69)
79Rachelle T. Flores, D.M.D.664.9★ (107)
80Dental Care of Rancho Bernardo663.5★ (2)
81San City Dental Clinic654.2★ (5)Evenings · Sat
82Sunset Cliffs Dental654.9★ (97)
83Downtown Dental Speciality651.0★ (1)
84Center for Dental Health, La Jolla654.6★ (185)
85Sabre Springs Dentistry644.2★ (46)
86Walker William a DDS645.0★ (1)
87San Diego Family Care (Dental Clinic)644.2★ (29)
88American Dental Clinic: Emmanuel Aguilar, DMD644.8★ (99)
89Southland Plaza Dental Group, Office of Dr. Claudia Le DMD635.0★ (9)Sat
90Dental Arts of Coronado Avenue634.6★ (138)
91Blue Mountain Dentistry: Morteza Khatibzadeh, DDS635.0★ (10)Sat
92RB Dental Excellence634.7★ (91)
93North Park Dental Office634.6★ (19)Sat
94Logan Heights Dental633.3★ (12)Sat
95Sunshine Dental Office623.7★ (37)
96Boulevard Dental Center624.0★ (24)
97Uptown Dental Office624.6★ (10)
98Dr. Lilian Z. Dominguez, DDS623.0★ (4)Evenings
99Beautiful Smile Dentistry623.4★ (61)
100Town Center Dentistry602.6★ (181)
101Apple Dental603.1★ (34)
102Branch Dental Annex NMAWC593.3★ (7)
103Nestor Community Health Center583.0★ (61)Evenings
104La Maestra Dental - University Ave582.6★ (28)Sat
105San Ysidro Health - King Chavez Health Center573.0★ (109)Sat
106iSmile Dental573.1★ (25)
107Ordaz Dental57Evenings · Sat
108Dental Arts of Palm Avenue - Dr. Jaime Acuna, San Diego Dentist57Evenings · Sat
109Terri T. Nguyen, DDS565.0★ (1)
110NAB Dental & Medical Clinic555.0★ (1)
111North Air Station North Island - Branch Dental Clinic542.1★ (22)
112James P. Tasto, DDS47
113Dental Clinic37
114Nina Mojaver, DMD37
115Mira Mesa Dental & Orthodontic Office37
116City Heights Dental Clinic33
117North Park Dental Clinic33
118Bernardo Center Dentistry33
119Dental Group San Diego33
120Elm Street Family Health Center33
121Abeer Hafez D.D.S.21

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Emergency and weekend dentists in San Diego

Clinics that list same-day or emergency care, or post Saturday, Sunday or after-6 PM hours. Severe swelling or bleeding: go to a hospital.

What is a root canal?

A root canal removes infected or inflamed pulp from inside a tooth, then cleans, disinfects and seals the canals. It is done to save a natural tooth that would otherwise need to come out. Most back teeth need a crown afterward.

Root canal: specialist or general dentist?

Many general dentists perform root canals, especially on front teeth and premolars. Endodontists are root canal specialists with 2–3 extra years of training. They are often recommended for molars with curved or hidden canals, retreatments, and teeth with unusual anatomy.

24 of San Diego's 121 clinics offering root canals have an endodontist on staff. See endodontists in San Diego

How much does a root canal cost in San Diego?

Typical ranges in USD for San Diego, CA. Your price depends on the tooth, the case and the clinic.

How much does a root canal cost in San Diego?
TypeTypical range (USD)BasisAs of
Front tooth (anterior)$980–$1,450DentistsRanked estimate from typical fees, adjusted for California—
Premolar (bicuspid)$1,100–$1,700DentistsRanked estimate from typical fees, adjusted for California—
Molar$1,400–$1,950DentistsRanked estimate from typical fees, adjusted for California—
Retreatment of a previous root canal$1,550–$2,350DentistsRanked estimate from typical fees, adjusted for California—

Estimates, not quotes. Ask the clinic for a written estimate. Full root canal cost guide for San Diego

What to expect from a root canal

Typical ranges for most patients. Your dentist's plan may differ.

A root canal: visits, chair time and recovery
FactTypically
Typical visits1–2 visits, plus a later visit for a crown on most back teeth
Chair timeAbout 60–90 minutes per visit
RecoveryMost patients return to normal activity the next day; tenderness for a few days is common
When to see a specialistMolars, retreatment of an earlier root canal, calcified or curved canals, or when your dentist refers you

How we ranked San Diego root canal dentists

We scored 121 San Diego clinics offering root canals on 6 factors: reputation 45%, review volume 15%, recency 10%, access 15%, services 10%, profile completeness 5%. 36 were excluded (4 closed and 32 duplicate listings). Data from Google listings and clinic websites, refreshed October 21, 2026.

Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Featured clinics are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.

Read the full method: formula, sources and exclusions

DR Score factors and weights
FactorWeightComputed fromIn San Diego data
Reputation45%Bayesian-adjusted Google star ratingMeasured
Review volume15%log10(review count) against the city maximumMeasured
Recency10%Share of reviews in the last 12 monthsMeasured
Access15%Evenings, Saturday, Sunday, same-day/emergency, accepting new patientsMeasured
Services10%Services offered out of 17Measured
Profile completeness5%Named dentists, years open, languages, insurance, photosMeasured

Root canals in San Diego: frequently asked questions

Who is the best root canal dentist in San Diego?

Relieve Root Canal Specialists ranks #1 of 121 San Diego clinics offering root canals by DentistsRanked service score. It has an endodontist on staff and 5.0★ from 404 Google reviews. Rancho Dental Care ranks #2 (an endodontist on staff). The score weighs reputation, access, services and profile data, plus a bonus for an endodontist on staff.

How much does a root canal cost in San Diego, CA?

A root canal in San Diego typically costs $980–$1,960 USD. By type: front tooth (anterior) $980–$1,450; premolar (bicuspid) $1,100–$1,700; molar $1,400–$1,950. These are estimates, not quotes. Basis: DentistsRanked estimate from typical fees, adjusted for California. Ask the clinic for a written estimate.

Do general dentists in San Diego do root canals?

Yes. 97 of the 121 San Diego clinics offering root canals do not list an endodontist, so general dentists there typically provide it. 24 list an endodontist on staff. Typical reasons to see an endodontist: molars, retreatment of an earlier root canal, calcified or curved canals, or when your dentist refers you.

Which San Diego clinics offer same-day root canals?

1 of 121 San Diego clinics offering root canals lists same-day or emergency appointments, led by Western Dental Center: Gonzalez Alberto DDS. Same-day treatment depends on the diagnosis and the schedule, so call ahead to confirm before you go.

Is a root canal covered by insurance or Medicaid in California?

Many dental insurance plans cover root canals as basic or major care, often at 50–80% after the deductible, up to the annual maximum. The crown is usually billed separately. Medicaid coverage for adults varies by state.

Does a root canal hurt?

Most patients say a root canal feels similar to getting a filling, because the tooth is numbed with local anesthetic. The infection beforehand is often more painful than the procedure. Mild soreness for a few days afterward is common and usually eases with over-the-counter pain relief.

Which San Diego root canal dentists are open on Saturday?

19 of 121 San Diego clinics offering root canals list Saturday hours, including Nimmi Shine Dental of San Diego, Carmel Valley Dentist Office and The Dental Express Point Loma. Hours come from each clinic's listing; check with the clinic before you go, since holiday and summer hours can change.

How many dentists offer root canals in San Diego?

121 San Diego clinics list root canals in our data. 24 of them list an endodontist on staff. They include Relieve Root Canal Specialists and Rancho Dental Care. 19 are open Saturdays. Google ratings are on file for 85 of them. Counts update when clinics change their profiles.

Update log for San Diego

  1. : DR Scores recalculated for 586 clinics.
  2. : 32 duplicate listings merged.
  3. : 4 closed clinics removed.