Root Canal Treatment — UK price comparison
What root canal treatment costs in the UK: typical private prices £250–£700, NHS Band 2 £75.30 in England, what the procedure involves, and follow-up crowns.
Prices checked: 13 July 2026· Indicative private treatment prices, not quotes
At a glance
- Typical private UK cost: £250–£700 per tooth
- NHS England: Band 2 £75.30 for the course (2025/26)
- NHS Wales Band 2: £60; Scotland & NI: 80% of item cost, capped at £384 per course
- Molars usually cost more privately than front teeth (more canals)
- A crown afterwards is often advised — priced separately (private or Band 3 on NHS)
- Only GDC-registered dentists carry out root canal treatment
Typical private cost
£250 – £700 per tooth; front teeth toward the lower end, multi-canal molars toward the upper
per tooth; front teeth toward the lower end, multi-canal molars toward the upper
Compare Root Canal Treatment providers
Providers listed here are UK dental practices or online dental providers. Prices are the provider's own published figures where we have verified them — otherwise check the practice directly. Treatment is always subject to clinical assessment.
We have not yet verified live provider prices for this treatment. Use the typical range above and compare practices near you, or check back as more profiles are claimed.
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What you pay for
Root canal treatment (endodontics) cleans, disinfects, and seals the canals inside a tooth after the inflamed or dead pulp is removed, usually under local anaesthetic over one or two visits. The private £250–£700 typical range is per tooth: simpler front teeth sit lower; molars with multiple curved canals sit higher, and specialist endodontists often charge more than general practice. The fee usually covers the root treatment and a temporary or definitive filling in the access hole — not a full crown. Ask what is included, whether a microscope or CBCT is used, and the plan if canals cannot be fully negotiated. Ranges here are indicative, not quotes.
NHS root canal treatment
Root canal is Band 2 on the NHS in England — £75.30 for the whole course in 2025/26, alongside other Band 2 items such as fillings in the same course. Wales charges £60 for Band 2. Scotland and Northern Ireland charge 80% of the item fee up to £384 per course. NHS care aims to relieve infection and retain the tooth with clinically appropriate methods; complex re-treatments or referral to a specialist may involve different pathways. If a crown is needed afterwards, that is usually a separate Band 3 course (£326.70 in England) unless planned within rules your dentist explains. Exempt patients pay nothing for NHS bands.
Root canal vs extraction
The alternative to saving the tooth is extraction, then a gap, denture, bridge, or implant — each with its own costs and trade-offs. Root canal tries to keep your natural tooth; success rates are generally high when the tooth is restorable, but no treatment is guaranteed. Severe cracks, insufficient tooth structure, or failed previous root treatments may tip the balance toward extraction. Only a dentist examining you (often with X-rays) can advise which route makes sense. Severe swelling affecting breathing or swallowing is an emergency — A&E or 999 — not a routine root-canal booking.
Aftercare and the crown question
Tenderness for a few days is common; contact your dentist if pain worsens, swelling increases, or you develop a fever. A root-treated back tooth is more brittle, so many dentists recommend a crown to protect it — budget for that privately (£450–£1,000 typical) or as NHS Band 3 when clinically provided. Keep the tooth clean and attend reviews. Temporary dressings left too long fail — finish the planned restorative stage. This page does not diagnose toothache; use your practice or NHS 111 for urgent dental access.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a root canal cost privately?▼
Typically £250–£700 per tooth in the UK. Front teeth cost less; molars and specialist treatments cost more. Confirm with a written plan — these figures are indicative.
Is root canal available on the NHS?▼
Yes, when clinically appropriate — Band 2 (£75.30 in England for the course). A later crown is usually a separate Band 3 course.
Does root canal treatment hurt?▼
It is performed under local anaesthetic. The aim is to relieve toothache caused by pulp infection. Mild post-op tenderness is common; report severe or escalating pain to your dentist.
Do I always need a crown after a root canal?▼
Not always, but many back teeth benefit from a crown for strength. Your dentist will advise based on how much tooth remains and how hard you bite.
What if root canal fails?▼
Options can include re-treatment, surgery (apicectomy), or extraction. Speak to a dentist or endodontist — failure rates and next steps are case-specific.
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