DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
Root canal cost in the UK: NHS vs private prices
A root canal saves a tooth that would otherwise need to come out, so most people want to know the price before they commit. On the NHS the treatment sits inside a fixed band charge, while a private dentist sets their own fee that depends heavily on which tooth is involved. The real prices below show what people are actually paying right now.
The quick version
- On the NHS in England a root canal falls under a Band 2 course of treatment, which is £76.60 from 1 April 2026 no matter how many canals the tooth has.
- Private fees are much higher and rise with the number of canals, so a back molar costs more than a single-canal front tooth.
- A crown is often recommended afterwards, especially on molars, and that is charged separately.
- Finding an NHS dentist taking new patients is difficult in many parts of the UK, which pushes people towards private care.
What people actually paid
The gap: advertised vs actually paid (medians)
People reported paying 234% more than the advertised NHS or list price for root canal.
NHS / list prices are advertised prices; paid figures are what people reported, often for different cases. Treat the gap as a signal, not a quote.
Real prices, in people's own words
- £300“just shy of 300 for the root canal and crown”
- £600“it came to 600 all in”
- £750“I paid about £750 for a root canal and crown in Northern Ireland recently”
- £900“I had a canal recently that cost me £900”
- £1,600“Yes I paid £1600 for a private root canal last year”
- £1,600“Just paid £1600 for an extraction, root canal and crown”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
The biggest factor is the tooth itself. Front teeth usually have one canal, premolars often have two, and back molars can have three or four, so the private fee climbs with the complexity of the work. Whether the case is straightforward or a retreatment of a failed root filling matters too, as does whether a general dentist or an endodontist handles it. Specialists charge more but take on the tricky curved or blocked canals that a general dentist might refer on. On the NHS none of this changes the price, because the whole course sits in one band.
How to pay less
- Ask whether you qualify for NHS treatment, where a root canal is a Band 2 charge and dental care is free for under 18s, pregnant women and some benefit claimants.
- Get more than one private quote, since fees for the same tooth vary a lot between practices.
- Confirm upfront whether a crown is included or billed on top, so the final total does not surprise you.
- Ask about monthly payment plans or 0 percent finance, which many private practices offer for larger treatments.
Common questions
Is a root canal cheaper on the NHS?
Yes, usually by a wide margin. On the NHS in England a root canal is part of a Band 2 course of treatment at £76.60, whatever tooth it is. A private dentist charges their own fee, which is higher and increases for back teeth with more canals. The catch is that NHS appointments can be hard to get.
Why does a front tooth cost less than a back tooth?
Front teeth generally have a single canal, so the work is quicker and simpler. Molars at the back can have three or four canals that curve and branch, which takes more time and skill. Private pricing reflects that, so molars sit at the top end. On the NHS the band charge stays the same either way.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Often yes, particularly on molars that take heavy chewing forces, because a treated tooth becomes more brittle and a crown protects it from cracking. Front teeth can sometimes get away with a filling. A crown is charged separately, so factor it in when you compare quotes. Check the real prices below for both.