DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
Root canal retreatment cost in the UK explained
Sometimes a tooth that had root canal treatment years ago flares up again, and the only way to save it is to redo the work. Retreatment means reopening the tooth, clearing out the old filling material and cleaning the canals afresh, which is more involved than the first time round. This guide explains what shapes the cost of redoing a root canal, with the real prices below showing what dentists charge locally.
The quick version
- Retreatment is usually harder than the original root canal, because the old filling has to come out before the canals can be recleaned.
- On the NHS, root canal work sits in Band 2, a fixed £76.60 in England from 1 April 2026.
- Private retreatment costs more than a first-time root canal, and molars with several canals cost the most.
- Some difficult cases are referred to a specialist endodontist, which is priced above general practice fees.
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
Retreatment is fiddlier than the first attempt, and the price reflects that. The old root filling has to be removed carefully before the canals can be cleaned again, which adds time. The tooth matters a great deal: a single-canal front tooth is far quicker than a back molar with three or four narrow, curved canals. If a post or crown has to be dismantled to get inside, that adds cost as well. Many retreatments are sent to a specialist endodontist who charges more than a general dentist, and extras such as detailed scans push the figure up. After retreatment the tooth often needs a new crown, which is a separate charge again.
How to pay less
- Ask whether the retreatment can be done under the NHS at the Band 2 charge before assuming it must be private.
- Get the flare-up looked at early, since a small problem is cheaper to fix than a full-blown abscess.
- Weigh retreatment against extraction and a replacement, and ask your dentist for both quotes.
- Compare the real prices below across a few practices, as specialist and general fees differ sharply.
Common questions
Is root canal retreatment more expensive than the first one?
Usually yes, because removing the old filling and recleaning the canals takes longer and is more technical. Molars cost more than front teeth, and specialist care adds to the fee. See the real prices below for local figures.
Can I get root canal retreatment on the NHS?
Root canal treatment falls under NHS Band 2, a fixed £76.60 in England from April 2026. Not every complex retreatment is available on the NHS, so ask your dentist whether your case qualifies or needs a private referral.
Is it worth redoing a root canal or should I have the tooth out?
It depends on how much healthy tooth is left and your long-term plans. Saving your own tooth is often preferable, but an extraction with a bridge or implant is sometimes the better bet. Ask for both options and compare the real prices below.