How Much Does a Private Root Canal Cost in the UK?

Because there isn't one. Private dentists set their own fees, and I've not found a reputable, non-commercial UK source that publishes a typical range. Which?, which does compare dental charges, says private root canal prices vary a lot, and the British Endodontic Society, which represents UK root canal specialists, says the cost depends on who does the treatment and which tooth needs it.

That's why I'm not going to throw a number at you here. A price without an examination is a bit like a mechanic quoting for "a clunking noise" you've described over the phone. It might be a loose heat shield. It might be the gearbox. Nobody honest will tell you which until they've had a look underneath.

If you're after the NHS price, that one is fixed, and I've covered it in how much is a root canal on the NHS?

These are the things that move the price, according to Which? and the British Endodontic Society:

• Which tooth it is. Which? says back teeth tend to be more expensive. Front teeth usually have one canal. Back teeth can have two to four, and they're harder to reach.
• How complicated the canals are. Curved, narrow or partly blocked canals take longer and need more care. Which? describes root canal as a technically demanding treatment.
• First treatment or a redo. Re-treating a tooth that's been root filled before usually means removing the old filling material first, which adds time. If that's you, see my root canal tooth has started hurting again.
• Who does it. A general dentist or a specialist endodontist. More on that below.
• What's included. Some quotes include X-rays, the temporary filling and the final filling. Some don't. Always check.

How long each type takes is in how long does a root canal take?

Sometimes. An endodontist is a dentist with extra training in root canal treatment. The British Endodontic Society says your dentist may refer you to a specialist to give the tooth a better chance, and that specialists often use operating microscopes and digital X-rays. Which? notes that a specialist referral can push the cost up.

Most straightforward root canals don't need a specialist. The British Endodontic Society says referrals are most likely to be private, and that costs should be discussed before you commit.

The root canal is often not the whole bill. Here's what can come on top:

• A crown. The NHS says a crown may be needed if the tooth was badly infected, and the Oral Health Foundation explains that a tooth without a living nerve can become more brittle. Whether you need one depends on how much tooth is left. My dental crowns page explains more.
• The assessment and X-rays, if they're charged separately.
• Follow-up checks on how the tooth is healing.

Ask for the whole plan, crown included, before you start. A root canal that's left without the right final restoration is like fitting a new lock and leaving the door off its hinges.

The treatment itself aims to do the same job. On the NHS in England it's a fixed Band 2 charge of £76.60, or Band 3 at £332.10 if you need a crown too (NHS figures checked on 30 October 2026). The NHS says your dentist should be able to provide root canal treatment, but you may be offered the option to have it done privately as an alternative, and complex cases may be referred.

If you're offered private treatment, the NHS says your dentist must make clear which treatments are NHS and which are private, with the cost of each. The choice is yours, and it's a perfectly reasonable question to ask why private is being suggested for your particular tooth.

Often, yes. Which? mentions three routes:

• Practice finance. Many practices are authorised credit brokers and can set up a payment agreement.
• Dental insurance, which can help spread the cost of bigger treatments, depending on the policy.
• Dental payment plans, though Which? notes these mostly cover check-ups and preventive care rather than bigger treatment.

What we offer at Minti is set out on the fees and finance page, or just ask when you ring.

If you've been told you need a root canal and the tooth is quiet, don't let working out the price turn into months of putting it off. The Oral Health Foundation warns that without treatment, repeated infection can mean the tooth has to come out, and replacing a lost tooth is rarely the cheaper option. I say this to everyone: the tooth you treat early is the one you're most likely to keep.

Call us today if:

• the tooth throbs, keeps you awake, or painkillers aren't helping
• it's getting more painful to bite on
• your gum is swelling, or there's a bad taste or a spot on the gum

The NHS says toothache lasting more than two days needs a dentist.

Call 999 or go to A&E, not a dentist, if:

• you're finding it hard to breathe, swallow or speak
• swelling is spreading towards your eye or down into your neck
• your eye is swollen or painful, or your eyesight changes suddenly
• you can't open your mouth properly because of swelling

Until you're seen, the NHS advice for toothache is paracetamol or ibuprofen if you can take them, and avoiding very hot, cold or sweet food on that side.

If you're near Harlow or Enfield, I'd much rather take a look and give you a price in writing than have you comparing guesswork online. Ring your nearest Minti practice to book. If it's already hurting, say it's urgent and we'll do our best to see you the same day. Anywhere else, or out of hours, call NHS 111.

This article is general information, not a diagnosis or a quote. NHS charges were checked on the date shown and can change. Tooth pain needs examining in person to find the cause.