A private root canal in the UK can cost anywhere from around £300 to £1,500 or more, depending on which tooth needs treatment, how complex the canal system is and whether you are treated by a general dentist or a specialist endodontist.
The biggest pricing difference is usually the tooth itself.
A front tooth may have only one main canal and can often be treated more quickly. A premolar may have one or two canals. A molar can have three or four canals — sometimes more — and often takes considerably longer to clean and seal properly.
This is why a practice might charge £400 for a front tooth but £700 or £900 for a molar.
There is another important cost to think about: the root canal fee may not include the crown or final restoration needed afterwards. A tooth that costs £700 to root-fill could ultimately cost £1,200 to £1,800 or more once a crown is added.
This guide explains current private root canal costs in the UK, typical prices for front teeth, premolars and molars, what specialist treatment can cost and which extra charges to ask about before agreeing to treatment.
How Much Does a Private Root Canal Cost in the UK?
For 2026, a useful private self-pay range is:
| Tooth type | Typical private root canal cost |
|---|---|
| Front tooth — incisor or canine | About £300–£700 |
| Premolar | About £400–£800 |
| Molar | About £500–£1,000 |
| Specialist molar root canal | About £750–£1,500+ |
| Root canal retreatment | Often £700–£1,500+ |
These are broad private ranges rather than regulated fees.
Private practices set their own prices. A current national pricing review based on hundreds of published UK practice fees found median prices around £487 for incisors or canines, £550 for premolars and £600 for molars, with specialist and higher-cost practices reaching much further above those figures.
One multi-practice provider currently lists £349 for a front tooth, £499 for a premolar and £649 for a molar. Specialist endodontic practices can charge around £750 to £950 for molars, with some complex cases exceeding £1,000.
Our broader guide to private dentist prices in the UK compares root canal treatment with other common dental costs.
Why Do Front Teeth, Premolars and Molars Cost Different Amounts?
Root canal treatment is not simply a matter of drilling into a tooth and filling one straight hole.
Inside each tooth is a root canal system containing the pulp — the soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels.
When the pulp becomes infected or irreversibly inflamed, the dentist has to remove the damaged tissue, clean and disinfect the canal system and then seal it.
The more complicated that internal anatomy is, the more time and skill treatment can require.
Front teeth
Most incisors and canines have one main root and usually one canal.
That often makes access simpler and treatment more predictable.
They are therefore usually the cheapest teeth to root-fill privately.
Premolars
Premolars can have one or two roots and may contain more than one canal.
The anatomy is therefore often more complicated than a front tooth, but usually less complex than a molar.
Molars
Molars sit at the back of the mouth and commonly have several roots and multiple canals.
They are also physically harder to access.
A molar root canal can require considerably more chair time, more X-rays and a more detailed search for small or curved canals.
That is why molars usually sit at the top of a dentist's root canal price list.
How Much Does a Front Tooth Root Canal Cost?
A private root canal on an incisor or canine commonly costs around £300 to £700.
At the lower end, some general practices advertise prices around £300–£400.
A specialist endodontist may charge around £600–£850 or more, especially in London or for a complicated case.
One published London clinic currently charges from £695 for an incisor or canine.
Front teeth are generally cheaper because they often contain only one canal, but that does not mean every front tooth is straightforward.
Previous trauma, calcified canals, unusual anatomy or a failed earlier root canal can make the procedure much more difficult.
Front teeth can also present a cosmetic issue after root canal treatment. A previously traumatised or non-vital tooth may darken, and some patients later consider internal whitening, bonding, a veneer or a crown depending on the circumstances.
How Much Does a Premolar Root Canal Cost?
Premolar root canal treatment commonly costs around £400 to £800 privately.
Some specialist practices charge £650–£900 or more.
Premolars often sit in the middle of dental fee schedules because their anatomy can be more complicated than a front tooth.
A single-rooted premolar may be relatively straightforward.
A premolar with two roots, narrow canals or significant curvature can take substantially more time.
Because premolars are used for chewing, your dentist may also recommend a crown or another protective restoration afterwards, particularly if a large amount of tooth structure has already been lost.
How Much Does a Molar Root Canal Cost?
A private molar root canal commonly costs around £500 to £1,000 when carried out by a general dentist.
Specialist molar treatment commonly reaches £750 to £1,500 or more.
Some London clinics currently advertise molar root canal treatment from around £895.
Molars are generally the most expensive because they can contain three or four main canals and sometimes additional canals that are difficult to identify.
A dentist needs to clean the full canal system. Missing an infected canal can reduce the chances of long-term success.
For that reason, complex molars are among the cases most likely to be referred to an endodontist.
Modern specialist treatment may also involve a dental operating microscope, enhanced imaging and other equipment designed to identify difficult anatomy.
What Does a Specialist Endodontist Cost?
An endodontist is a dentist with advanced training or a practice focused heavily on root canal treatment.
Some dentists refer particularly difficult cases, while others carry out straightforward root canals themselves.
A specialist consultation can cost around £80–£200 before treatment begins.
Treatment itself may broadly cost:
- front tooth: £600–£900;
- premolar: £650–£950;
- molar: £750–£1,500+.
Current specialist fee schedules show examples from around £625 for an incisor, £650 for a premolar and £750 for a molar at one practice, while another specialist provider lists molars around £750–£950.
Paying more for an endodontist is not automatically necessary.
A general dentist may be perfectly capable of treating a straightforward front tooth or uncomplicated premolar.
Referral becomes more valuable when there is unusual anatomy, previous treatment, a broken instrument, severe canal calcification or another complication.
Does the Root Canal Price Include the Crown?
Usually not.
This is one of the most important things to check when comparing dental prices.
A practice may advertise:
Root canal from £550.
That may mean only the root canal procedure itself.
If the tooth then needs a crown costing another £500–£1,000, the final bill is very different.
The NHS explains that a crown may be needed when a tooth has been badly damaged or infected.
Back teeth are particularly likely to need protection because they experience strong chewing forces and may already have substantial fillings or lost tooth structure.
Private crowns commonly cost around £500 to £1,000 or more, depending on the practice and material.
One 2026 UK price guide places porcelain crowns around £500–£1,000 nationally, with London prices often higher.
Our guide to dental crowns, types and costs explains the restoration side in more detail.
What Other Costs Can Be Added?
The quoted root canal fee does not always cover everything surrounding treatment.
Possible additional charges include:
- initial examination;
- emergency appointment;
- X-rays;
- specialist consultation;
- CBCT 3D scan;
- temporary filling;
- permanent filling or core build-up;
- crown;
- sedation;
- follow-up appointments.
A simple dental X-ray might cost £10–£30 privately.
A CBCT scan is more expensive and is generally reserved for cases where three-dimensional imaging is clinically useful.
If the tooth is badly broken down, a dentist may need to build up the internal core before placing a crown.
When comparing quotes, ask for the fully restored price, not simply the root canal line item.
Why Is Root Canal Retreatment More Expensive?
Sometimes a previously root-filled tooth becomes painful or infected again.
This may happen because bacteria remained in part of the canal system, a canal was missed, the restoration leaked or a new problem developed later.
Retreatment is usually more difficult than treating the tooth for the first time.
The dentist may need to remove:
- the previous filling material;
- posts;
- crowns or restorations;
- obstructions inside the canal.
They then need to locate and clean the canal system again.
Private retreatment commonly costs around £700 to £1,500 or more.
One current London clinic lists retreatment from £1,200, while another specialist fee schedule starts re-root canal treatment around £900.
Because retreatment can be technically demanding, these cases are often referred to an endodontist.
Is Root Canal Treatment Available on the NHS?
Yes.
In England, root canal treatment is included within NHS Band 2 dental treatment.
The current 2026/27 Band 2 charge is £76.60.
The charge does not increase just because the tooth is a molar.
That is very different from private dentistry, where complexity usually directly affects the price.
If you need a crown as part of NHS treatment, the charging structure may move into a higher band depending on the treatment provided.
Access can be the bigger difficulty. Not every dental practice currently accepts new NHS patients, and complex cases may require referral.
Our comparison of NHS vs private dentists explains some of the practical differences.
Root Canal or Extraction: Which Costs Less?
An extraction is usually cheaper in the short term.
A private simple extraction may cost roughly £100–£250, compared with several hundred pounds for a root canal.
But comparing those two figures alone can be misleading.
If the extracted tooth needs replacing, you might later pay for:
- a denture;
- a bridge;
- a dental implant.
A single dental implant can cost several thousand pounds once surgery and the final crown are included.
That means saving £500 by extracting a tooth today could potentially lead to a much larger replacement cost later.
Of course, not every tooth can or should be saved.
A badly fractured tooth, severe gum disease or very poor prognosis may make extraction the more appropriate treatment.
Our guide to root canal vs extraction looks at this decision in more detail.
How Many Appointments Does a Root Canal Take?
Many root canals require one or two main treatment appointments, although more complex cases can take longer.
The NHS says root canal treatment usually takes two or more appointments, with appointments commonly lasting one to two hours or longer.
A temporary filling may be placed between visits.
Specialist endodontists sometimes complete suitable cases in one longer appointment, while difficult infections or complex anatomy may require several visits.
The number of visits does not always directly determine the fee. Some practices quote one overall treatment price regardless of whether the work takes one or two appointments.
Ask what is included before treatment begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a private root canal in the UK?
A typical private root canal costs roughly £300 to £1,000, depending on the tooth and complexity. Specialist treatment can cost £750 to £1,500 or more.
How much does a front tooth root canal cost?
Front teeth commonly cost around £300 to £700 privately. Specialist fees can be higher.
How much does a premolar root canal cost?
A private premolar root canal commonly costs around £400 to £800, with specialist treatment sometimes reaching £900 or more.
How much does a molar root canal cost?
Molar treatment commonly costs around £500 to £1,000 with a general dentist and around £750 to £1,500 or more with a specialist endodontist.
Why are molar root canals more expensive?
Molars usually have more roots and canals than front teeth. They are also harder to access and can contain complex or curved anatomy, so treatment generally takes longer.
Does a root canal price include the filling?
The filling used to seal the access cavity may be included, but practices structure fees differently. A larger permanent restoration, core build-up or crown may be charged separately.
Does a root canal price include a crown?
Usually not. A crown commonly costs another £500 to £1,000 or more privately, so ask for the complete restored cost before comparing quotes.
Does every root canal tooth need a crown?
No. Whether a crown is required depends on which tooth was treated, how much natural tooth remains and how heavily it is loaded during chewing. Back teeth are more commonly crowned after root canal treatment than front teeth.
How much is root canal retreatment?
Private retreatment often costs around £700 to £1,500 or more because removing old filling material and finding missed or difficult canals makes treatment more complex.
Is an endodontist worth the extra cost?
For straightforward cases, a general dentist may be entirely appropriate. A specialist can be particularly useful for difficult molars, complex anatomy, failed previous root canals, calcified canals and other technically challenging cases.
Can you get a root canal on the NHS?
Yes. Root canal treatment is covered by NHS dental treatment when clinically appropriate. In England it falls within Band 2, currently £76.60 for 2026/27.
Is it cheaper to extract the tooth instead?
Extraction is usually cheaper immediately, but the comparison changes if you later replace the tooth with a bridge, denture or implant. The decision should be based on the tooth's prognosis as well as cost.
What should I ask before accepting a root canal quote?
Ask whether the price includes the consultation, X-rays, all root canal appointments, temporary and permanent fillings, any CBCT scan, follow-up and the final crown. Request a written treatment plan showing the full expected cost.
This guide provides broad UK self-pay estimates rather than fixed prices. Root canal costs vary between practices, regions and cases. Your dentist should examine the tooth and provide an individual treatment plan before treatment begins.
