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Best Root Canal Dentists in South Lake Tahoe, CA (2026)

37 clinics offering root canals, rankedUpdated 0 paid placementsHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Best overall for root canals: Dr. Chris Cerceo, DDS, MDS, FAGD, ranked #1 of 37 by service score; ranked on access and profile data; Google ratings not yet collected.

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

37 South Lake Tahoe clinics list root canals and are ranked here by service score. 1 opens Saturdays. None list an endodontist on staff in our data yet. Google ratings are not yet collected for these clinics.

Top 10 root canal dentists in South Lake Tahoe at a glance

The 37 best root canal dentists in South Lake Tahoe, 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. #11 Emerald Bay Dentistry: Bratton William R DDS

    1201 Emerald Bay Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

    67/10015% of factors measured

    Ranked #11 for root canals in South Lake Tahoe 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

  2. #21 Tahoe Family Physicians: Rosso Judith G DO

    1090 3rd St #1, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, United States

    67/10015% of factors measured

    Ranked #21 for root canals in South Lake Tahoe 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

  3. #25 High Sierra Dental Care - Dr. Mireya Ortega, DDS

    1060 Ski Run Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, United States

    40/10030% of factors measured

    Ranked #25 for root canals in South Lake Tahoe on access and profile data; Google ratings are not yet collected.

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

    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Dentists
    Dr. Ortega

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    We Are Committed to Your Oral Health! At High Sierra Dental Care you will spend ninety percent of your appointment time with the doctor to ensure a thorough evaluation of your dental conditions and the appropriate treatment’s are provided. Our goal is to enhance your dental health. We are proud to offer you a full range of dental services and procedures, from cosmetic dentistry, pediatric dentistry, non-surgical periodontal services, oral surgery, orthodontics and minimally…

    From High Sierra Dental Care - Dr. Mireya Ortega, DDS's own description. Not part of the ranking.

All 37 clinics

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #37, in DR Score order; each links to its full profile.

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South Lake Tahoe, CA

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Emergency and weekend dentists in South Lake Tahoe

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.

None of South Lake Tahoe's 37 clinics offering root canals list an endodontist on staff in our data yet. See endodontists in South Lake Tahoe

How much does a root canal cost in South Lake Tahoe?

Typical ranges in USD for South Lake Tahoe, CA. Your price depends on the tooth, the case and the clinic.

How much does a root canal cost in South Lake Tahoe?
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 South Lake Tahoe

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 South Lake Tahoe root canal dentists

We scored 37 South Lake Tahoe clinics offering root canals on 6 factors: reputation 45%, review volume 15%, recency 10%, access 15%, services 10%, profile completeness 5%. 1 was excluded (1 duplicate listing). Google ratings are not yet collected, so each score is renormalised over the factors we measured. 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 South Lake Tahoe data
Reputation45%Bayesian-adjusted Google star ratingNot yet collected
Review volume15%log10(review count) against the city maximumNot yet collected
Recency10%Share of reviews in the last 12 monthsNot yet collected
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 South Lake Tahoe: frequently asked questions

Who is the best root canal dentist in South Lake Tahoe?

Dr. Chris Cerceo, DDS, MDS, FAGD ranks #1 of 37 South Lake Tahoe clinics offering root canals by DentistsRanked service score. Reid Dental Arts ranks #2. 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 South Lake Tahoe, CA?

A root canal in South Lake Tahoe 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 South Lake Tahoe do root canals?

Yes. None of the 37 South Lake Tahoe clinics offering root canals list an endodontist on staff in our data, so general dentists there typically provide it. Typical reasons to see an endodontist: molars, retreatment of an earlier root canal, calcified or curved canals, or when your dentist refers you.

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 South Lake Tahoe root canal dentists are open on Saturday?

1 of 37 South Lake Tahoe clinics offering root canals lists Saturday hours, including Barton Community Health Center. 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 South Lake Tahoe?

37 South Lake Tahoe clinics list root canals in our data. 0 of them list an endodontist on staff. 1 is open Saturdays. Google ratings are on file for none of them. Counts update when clinics change their profiles.

Update log for South Lake Tahoe

  1. : DR Scores recalculated for 40 clinics.
  2. : 1 duplicate listing merged.