Quick Answer
Root canal on the NHS costs £76.60 (Band 2, England). Private root canal costs £500–£1,500 depending on the tooth, plus £800–£1,000 for the crown usually needed after. In Turkey, the full root canal plus crown typically costs £330–£580. If you cannot access NHS and cannot afford private, payment plans from around £10/month and overseas treatment are the two realistic alternatives.
Key Takeaways
- NHS covers root canal under Band 2 (£76.60, England, April 2026) — but not all NHS practices perform it on complex molar cases; confirm at assessment.
- UK private root canal costs £500–£700 (front teeth) to £900–£1,500 (molars), plus £800–£1,000 for the crown required after.
- Delaying treatment on an infected tooth risks abscess, bone loss and the tooth becoming unrestorable — meaning extraction anyway, at greater cost.
- Root canal + crown in Turkey typically costs £330–£580, often less than the travel cost of one treatment abroad (flights + hotel ≈ £300–£600).
- 0% representative APR finance from around £10/month over 36 months is available for root canal plus crown treatment booked through this site, subject to eligibility.
What Root Canal Treatment Involves
Root canal (technically endodontic treatment) removes the infected or inflamed pulp tissue from inside the tooth, cleans and shapes the root canals, seals them to prevent reinfection, and typically places a crown on top to protect the weakened tooth structure. It is performed under local anaesthetic and should not be painful during treatment, though the tooth may be sensitive afterwards for a few days.
Front teeth have one root and are simpler to treat. Molars have two or three roots and can require more appointment time. This is why a molar root canal costs more than one on an incisor.
NHS Root Canal: What You Actually Pay
Root canal treatment is covered by the NHS under Band 2 (£76.60, England, from April 2026). Band 2 includes fillings, root canal work, and extractions — you pay one fixed Band 2 charge for the entire course of treatment, regardless of how many visits it takes or how many teeth are involved within the same course.
If a crown is required after the root canal — which is usually the case on molars and premolars — that pushes the treatment into Band 3 (£306.80), since crowns are a Band 3 item. You still pay one charge for the whole course of treatment including both the root canal and the crown.
The practical limitation is access: many NHS practices do not routinely perform root canal on complex molar cases under NHS contracts, and some refer patients to specialist endodontists (often private) instead. Check at your NHS assessment exactly what can be provided.
UK Private Root Canal Costs
UK private root canal fees vary by the complexity of the tooth and the practice. Typical ranges:
- Front tooth (single root): £500–£700
- Premolar (one or two roots): £600–£900
- Molar (two or three roots): £900–£1,500
- Specialist endodontist: £800–£2,000+
A specialist endodontist — a dentist who has done additional postgraduate training in root canal specifically — typically charges more but is appropriate for complex, curved or retreatment cases.
Root Canal vs Extraction: The Honest Comparison
Extraction costs less upfront: NHS Band 2 (£76.60) or private £150–£300. But extraction leaves a gap, and a gap has its own consequences and costs.
Adjacent teeth naturally drift towards the empty space over months and years. The opposing tooth — the one above or below the gap — begins to over-erupt (move downward or upward into the space), which can change your bite. The bone in the empty socket begins to resorb without the stimulation of a tooth root.
If the gap is in a visible position or affects chewing, replacing it becomes a practical necessity. Options are a bridge (permanent, requires crown preparation of adjacent teeth), a partial denture (removable), or an implant. An implant — the closest equivalent to a natural tooth root — typically costs £250–£600 in Turkey or £2,000–£3,000 privately in the UK.
So “just pull it” is rarely as simple as it sounds if you want to preserve function and appearance long term.
Risks of Delaying Root Canal Treatment
A tooth that needs root canal has either an infected pulp or a dying nerve. Left untreated, the infection continues to progress. The likely outcomes of delay are:
- Dental abscess — a painful, pus-filled swelling around the root tip. Antibiotics buy time but do not cure an abscess; the tooth still needs treatment.
- Bone loss — infection at the root destroys the surrounding bone, making later implant placement more complicated and expensive.
- Spreading infection — in serious cases, dental infection spreads into soft tissue in the neck and jaw (Ludwig's angina). This is uncommon but can be life-threatening and requires hospital treatment.
- Tooth becomes unrestorable — if the crown portion is too broken down and the root is too compromised, root canal is no longer viable and extraction becomes the only option.
If you are in acute pain, have swelling, or suspect an abscess, call NHS 111 (dial 111) and read the tooth abscess guide first — that situation needs different immediate action.
You Will Probably Need a Crown Too
Root canal removes the nerve and blood supply from inside the tooth, leaving the remaining structure more brittle. On back teeth (premolars and molars) that take biting force, a crown is strongly recommended after root canal to prevent the tooth from fracturing. On front teeth, the tooth may be restored with a filling, but a crown offers better long-term protection.
When budgeting, factor in the crown cost. Root canal without a crown — particularly on a molar — risks the tooth cracking and requiring extraction anyway.
UK vs Turkey Cost Comparison
For the full root canal plus crown combination, the Turkey saving is large enough to cover the cost of flights and hotel in most cases:
| Treatment | NHS (England) | UK Private | Turkey | Monthly (36mo) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Root canal (front tooth) | £76.60 (Band 2) | £500–£700 | £200–£250 | From £6/mo |
| Root canal (molar) | £76.60 (Band 2) | £900–£1,500 | £250–£300 | From £7/mo |
| Crown (porcelain) | £306.80 (Band 3) | £800–£1,000 | £130–£280 | From £4/mo |
| Root canal + crown (total) | £306.80 (Band 3) | £1,300–£2,500 | £330–£580 | From £10/mo |
| Single implant (if extraction) | Not available (routine) | £2,000–£3,000 | £250–£600 | From £7/mo |
Monthly figures are indicative at 0% representative APR over 36 months, subject to eligibility. NHS charges from April 2026 (England). Turkey prices are for treatment at partner clinics; flights and hotel are additional (typically £300–£600 for a 3–5 day trip).
Payment Plans and Finance
For root canal plus crown treatment booked through this site, 0% representative APR finance is available from around £10/month over 36 months. A soft-search pre-qualification check lets you see your eligibility without it appearing on your credit file. See Monthly Payment for per-treatment figures, or Dental Finance Options UK for eligibility, bad credit and how the pre-qualification works.
If the Tooth Needs Extracting: Your Options
If root canal is not viable — the tooth is too damaged, the infection is too advanced, or the cost is genuinely unmanageable — and extraction is the outcome, you will eventually want to address the gap. Three options:
- Dental implant — a titanium post inserted into the jaw bone, topped with a crown. The most durable solution; preserves bone. Costs £250–£600 in Turkey, £2,000–£3,000 in the UK privately. Read the dental implants guide for details.
- Bridge — a false tooth held in place by crowns on the adjacent teeth. Requires grinding down neighbouring teeth. Costs less than an implant but is irreversible.
- Partial denture — a removable plate. The least expensive option; no preparation of other teeth.