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 (£73.50). Regional prices and what to expect.
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 cheaper 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 | £73.50 (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 (£73.50), but you will almost certainly need a crown afterwards (Band 3: £319.10). Total NHS cost: £392.60. 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.
Compare dental prices
Compare root canal, crown, and other dental prices across 2,000+ UK practices.
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