How Much Does a Root Canal Cost in the UK? Private vs NHS (2026)
Root canal costs in the UK: median £450 privately from 1,519 practices. Compare with NHS Band 2 (£76.60). Regional prices and what to expect.
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- Provider-published information and TreatCompare research
- Reporting period
- 2026-04-29
- Last updated
- 2026-04-29
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- Mixed sources
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How much does a root canal cost in the UK? Based on data from 1,519 UK practices, private root canal treatment costs a median of £450, with prices ranging from £179 to £900 depending on the tooth, complexity, and region.
Root canal prices by region
| Region | Median | Range (P5–P95) | Practices |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | £450 | £179 – £900 | 1,519 |
| Central London | £450 | £180 – £900 | 251 |
| Greater London | £450 | £178 – £928 | 196 |
| South (excl. London) | £460 | £175 – £850 | 501 |
| Midlands | £475 | £195 – £950 | 262 |
| North | £450 | £180 – £847 | 309 |
Prices are remarkably consistent across regions for root canal treatment, with medians between £450 and £475 nationally.
What affects the cost?
| Factor | Impact on price |
|---|---|
| Which tooth | Front teeth (1 canal) are lower-cost than molars (3–4 canals) |
| Number of canals | More canals = more time = higher cost |
| Complexity | Curved or calcified canals cost more |
| Re-treatment | Re-doing a failed root canal costs 20–50% more |
| Specialist vs GP dentist | Endodontists charge more but have higher success rates |
| Microscope use | Practices using microscopes charge more for better precision |
A simple front tooth root canal may cost £250–£400. A complex molar with 4 canals may cost £600–£1,000.
NHS vs private root canal costs
| NHS (England) | Private | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £76.60 (Band 2) | £179–£900 |
| Includes crown? | No (separate Band 3) | Sometimes |
| Waiting time | Can be weeks | Usually same week |
| Specialist referral | Possible but slow | Direct booking |
| Microscope use | Rare | Common in private |
On the NHS, root canal treatment is Band 2 (£76.60), but you will almost certainly need a crown afterwards (Band 3: £332.10). Total NHS cost: £408.70. Privately, some dentists include the crown in a package deal.
Do you always need a crown after root canal?
Usually, yes — especially for back teeth. A root-canal-treated tooth becomes brittle and a crown protects it from fracturing. Front teeth may sometimes be restored with a filling instead, but your dentist will advise.
Total private cost including crown: typically £900–£1,500.
Root canal vs extraction
| Root canal + crown | Extraction + implant | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | £900–£1,500 | £2,000–£3,500 |
| Preserves natural tooth | Yes | No |
| Treatment time | 2–3 appointments | 3–6 months |
| Success rate | 90–95% | 95%+ |
| Longevity | 10–20+ years | 20+ years |
Root canal is almost always worth trying first. If it fails, extraction and implant remain an option.
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Compare dental treatments pricesFrequently asked questions
How much does a private root canal cost in the UK?
Based on data from 1,519 UK practices, private root canal treatment costs a median of £450, with prices ranging from £179 to £900 (P5–P95). A simple front tooth root canal may cost £250–£400, while a complex molar with 4 canals may cost £600–£1,000.
How much does a root canal cost on the NHS?
An NHS root canal in England is £76.60 (Band 2), but you will almost certainly need a crown afterwards which falls under Band 3 (£332.10), bringing the total NHS cost to £408.70. Privately, some dentists include the crown in a package deal.
What affects the cost of a root canal?
Cost depends on which tooth (front teeth with 1 canal are lower-cost than molars with 3–4 canals), the number of canals, complexity (curved or calcified canals cost more), whether it's a re-treatment (re-doing a failed root canal costs 20–50% more), whether it's done by an endodontist specialist or a GP dentist, and whether the practice uses a microscope.
Do you always need a crown after a root canal?
Usually yes — especially for back teeth. A root-canal-treated tooth becomes brittle and a crown protects it from fracturing. Front teeth may sometimes be restored with a filling instead. Total private cost including crown is typically £900–£1,500.
Is it lower-cost to have a root canal or an extraction with implant?
A root canal plus crown typically costs £900–£1,500, compared to £2,000–£3,500 for an extraction with implant. Root canal preserves the natural tooth (success rate 90–95%, longevity 10–20+ years) and is completed in 2–3 appointments. An implant takes 3–6 months but has a 95%+ success rate and 20+ year longevity. Root canal is almost always worth trying first.
Where in the UK is a root canal lower-cost?
Prices are remarkably consistent across regions. The North, Greater London, and Central London all share a median of £450. The South excluding London is £460 and the Midlands is the most expensive at £475 median (range £195–£950).
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