Root canal treatment cost UK: calculate your quote

Enter the items from your own root canal quote, including any filling or crown afterwards, and see the total, your own share and your budget.

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How it works

  1. Enter the number of teethType the number of treated teeth into “Number of teeth”. Tick “The amounts on my quote are already totals” if the quote does not show prices per tooth.
  2. Copy the itemsUnder “Amounts from your quote”, enter “Examination and X-rays”, “Root canal treatment”, “Filling afterwards” or “Crown afterwards”, “Review appointments” and “Other items” as they appear on your quote.
  3. Add cover and a reserveEnter any confirmed payment in “Amount your dental plan or insurer pays (optional)” or “Insurance refund in % (optional)”, and a buffer in “Contingency reserve in % (optional)”.
  4. CalculateClick “Calculate costs”. You see each item, the total, the cost per tooth, your own share and your budget, ready to compare with the NHS charge or another quote.

£76.60Root canal treatment is NHS Band 2; the Band 2 charge in England from 1 April 2026 Source

2 or moreAppointments usually needed for root canal treatment, each possibly lasting 1 to 2 hours or longer Source

£332.10NHS Band 3 charge from 1 April 2026, which applies if your course of treatment also includes a crown Source

2 monthsFurther NHS treatment within 2 months in the same or a lower band costs nothing extra Source

Root canal treatment cost in the UK: NHS and private

Root canal treatment removes an infection from inside a tooth. The tooth is then cleaned and filled to help prevent reinfection. On the NHS in England it is Band 2 treatment, which costs £76.60 per course of treatment from 1 April 2026. That charge also covers any Band 1 items in the same course, such as the examination and X-rays. If you are entitled to free NHS dental treatment, you do not pay it. If your course of treatment also includes a crown, the Band 3 charge of £332.10 applies instead.

You may also be offered root canal treatment privately. The NHS says you may be offered private root canal treatment as an alternative to having it on the NHS, and that it is your choice whether you have private treatment or are referred to an NHS specialist service, where available. Private prices are not fixed, so the root canal treatment cost in the UK can differ widely between practices. Enter the lines from your own quote here to see what you would pay in total.

What a root canal quote can include

A private quote often lists more than one item. Typical lines are the examination and X-rays, the root canal treatment itself, a filling afterwards or a crown afterwards, and review appointments. The NHS says root canal treatment usually takes 2 or more appointments, and a temporary filling is placed between visits. The Oral Health Foundation adds that, at the end, the temporary filling is replaced with a permanent one if the tooth is comfortable and free of infection.

Whether your tooth needs a crown afterwards is decided by your dentist. The NHS says a crown may be needed if the tooth was badly infected, and the Oral Health Foundation says a crown may be recommended if a filling will not be strong enough. The calculator has separate fields for “Filling afterwards” and “Crown afterwards”, so you can enter what your quote shows. Ask your dentist which option they suggest for your tooth and why, before you compare prices.

  • Is the final filling or crown included in the price?
  • How many appointments and reviews are planned?
  • What happens if the tooth needs further treatment later?

After root canal treatment

The NHS says the area around the tooth may feel swollen and sore after treatment but should get better in a couple of weeks. Feeling in your jaw and face may be missing for a few hours while the anaesthetic wears off. You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain. Attend any follow-up appointments, look after your teeth and gums, and keep up regular check-ups. If pain or swelling gets worse, contact your dentist.

Without root canal treatment, an infected tooth may need to be taken out. That is why it helps to understand your options and costs early. If you are comparing a UK quote with treatment abroad, remember that root canal treatment usually needs more than one visit, and a crown may need laboratory time. Ask how many appointments are planned and whether reviews are included, and enter each quote separately in this calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How much does root canal treatment cost on the NHS?

In England, root canal treatment is Band 2. From 1 April 2026 the Band 2 charge is £76.60 per course of treatment. Before that date it was £75.30. If your course of treatment also includes a crown, you pay the Band 3 charge of £332.10 instead. Free treatment applies if you meet the NHS exemption rules.

How much does a private root canal cost in the UK?

There is no fixed private price. Practices set their own fees, and the cost can depend on the tooth, the number of appointments and whether a filling or crown is included. Ask for a written, itemised quote and enter each line in this calculator to see the total and the cost per tooth.

Why might I be offered root canal treatment privately?

The NHS says you may be offered root canal treatment privately as an alternative to having it on the NHS. It is your choice whether you have private treatment or are referred to an NHS specialist service, where available. Ask your dentist what the NHS option would be and what the private quote includes.

How many appointments does a root canal take?

The NHS says it usually takes 2 or more appointments, and each visit may last 1 to 2 hours or longer. A temporary filling is placed between visits. If your quote charges per appointment, enter the review visits in “Review appointments” so they are part of your total.

Do I need a crown after root canal treatment?

Not always. According to the NHS, a crown may be needed if the tooth was badly infected. The Oral Health Foundation says a dentist may recommend a crown if a filling will not be strong enough. Ask your dentist what they suggest for your tooth. On the NHS, a crown in the same course of treatment means the Band 3 charge applies.

Is root canal treatment painful?

The Oral Health Foundation says root canal treatment itself should not be painful, because a local anaesthetic is used. The tooth may feel tender for a few days afterwards. The NHS says the area may be swollen and sore but should get better in a couple of weeks. Contact your dentist if pain gets worse.

What happens if I do not have root canal treatment?

According to the NHS, the tooth may need to be taken out if root canal treatment is not carried out. The Oral Health Foundation says repeated infection may make removal necessary. Talk to your dentist about the options for your tooth, including the costs and what each choice means for you.

Is a filling or a crown afterwards included in an NHS course?

On the NHS you pay one charge per course of treatment, at the highest band. A filling is Band 2, like the root canal treatment, so you pay the Band 2 charge once. A crown is Band 3, so the Band 3 charge applies to the whole course. Further treatment within 2 months in the same or a lower band costs nothing extra.

Sources

This tool provides general information and calculates only with the values you enter. It does not replace an examination or advice from a dentist, your health insurer or a financial adviser.

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