General Dentistry
Root Canal Cost London | From £247.50 | South Kensington
Transparent root canal cost in London: front tooth from £495 (Member £247.50), premolar from £595 (Member £297.50), molar from £645 (Member £322.50). CQC-regulated, GDC-registered. Call 020 7183 0755.
If you are researching root canal cost in London, a single headline figure rarely captures the full picture. The fee depends on which tooth is being treated (front, premolar, or molar), how many canals it has, whether it is a first-time treatment or a retreatment, and whether a crown is needed afterwards to protect the tooth long-term. At Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic in South Kensington (SW7), every root canal fee is openly published, written quotes are issued before treatment begins, and all endodontic work is performed by GDC-registered dentists in our CQC-regulated clinic.
How much does a root canal cost in London?
At Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic, our published root canal fees are:
- Front tooth (incisor or canine): from £495 standard (Privilege Member: from £247.50)
- Premolar: from £595 standard (Privilege Member: from £297.50)
- Molar (back tooth): from £645 standard (Privilege Member: from £322.50)
- Crown after root canal (often clinically recommended): from £750 standard (Member from £375 for Zirconia; E.max from £425)
- Core build-up (foundation under the crown): from £150 standard (Member £75)
A clinical consultation (£95 / Member £47.50) and diagnostic X-rays (£20 standard / £10 Member) are charged separately. All fees are confirmed in writing before treatment begins.
Root Canal Fees in Detail
Root canal treatment is priced by tooth position because the further back the tooth, the more canals it typically contains and the more complex the anatomy. A front tooth usually has a single canal; a premolar one or two; and a molar three or four — sometimes more. The fee covers all of the cleaning and sealing required to complete the treatment.
| Service | Standard Fee | Privilege Member Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Root Canal — Front Tooth (Anterior)Incisor or canine · typically 1 canal | from £495 | from £247.50 |
| Root Canal — PremolarMid-arch tooth · typically 1–2 canals | from £595 | from £297.50 |
| Root Canal — MolarBack tooth · typically 3–4 canals | from £645 | from £322.50 |
| Root Canal RetreatmentRemoval of old root filling + redoing — quoted after assessment | Quoted per case | Quoted per case |
| Core Build-Up (foundation under crown)Required where significant tooth structure has been lost | from £150 | £75 |
| Zirconia Crown (post-root canal protection)Strong, ideal for back teeth | from £750 | from £375 |
| E.max Crown (post-root canal protection)Premium aesthetic option for front teeth | from £850 | from £425 |
| Endodontic ConsultationExamination, vitality testing, treatment plan in writing | £95 | £47.50 |
| Diagnostic X-ray (Periapical) | £20 | £10 |
Fees correct at time of publication and may be reviewed periodically. "From £" indicates the starting fee for a typical case; complex anatomy, calcified canals, or retreatments are quoted individually in writing before any treatment begins. The Privilege Member rate is available to members of our Privilege Programme (from £20 per month); membership is not required to receive treatment.
Indicative Total Cost by Case Type
Most root canal cases follow one of a few patterns. The figures below show typical Privilege Member totals so you can quickly understand the likely investment — your written plan will give your exact figure.
| Case Type | What's Typically Involved | Member — Indicative From |
|---|---|---|
| Front tooth — root canal only | Consultation (£47.50) + X-ray (£10) + root canal anterior (£247.50) | from £305 |
| Front tooth — root canal + E.max crown | Consultation, X-ray, root canal, core build-up (£75), E.max crown (£425) | from £805 |
| Premolar — root canal only | Consultation (£47.50) + X-ray (£10) + root canal premolar (£297.50) | from £355 |
| Premolar — root canal + Zirconia crown | Consultation, X-ray, root canal, core build-up (£75), Zirconia crown (£375) | from £805 |
| Molar — root canal only | Consultation (£47.50) + X-ray (£10) + root canal molar (£322.50) | from £380 |
| Molar — root canal + Zirconia crown (most common) | Consultation, X-ray, root canal, core build-up (£75), Zirconia crown (£375) | from £830 |
| Molar retreatment + new crown | Consultation, X-ray, retreatment, core build-up, new crown | Quoted after assessment |
Indicative figures only — your exact total depends on the tooth, the number of canals found, any complicating anatomy, and whether a crown is required. Final fees are confirmed in writing before any treatment begins.
What Determines Your Final Root Canal Fee?
Two patients with toothache can have meaningfully different quotes. The honest reasons for variation are clinical, not commercial:
1. Which tooth is affected
Front teeth have one canal and are quickest to treat. Premolars have one or two. Molars have three or four — and finding/cleaning every canal is what makes molar root canals more expensive.
2. First-time treatment vs retreatment
Redoing a previously root-filled tooth ("retreatment") is more complex than a first treatment — old filling material must be removed before the canals can be cleaned again. Retreatments are quoted individually.
3. Canal anatomy
Some canals are curved, narrow, or calcified, which adds chair-time. Where anatomy is particularly complex we may refer to an endodontic specialist; this is in your interest, not a commercial decision.
4. Whether a crown is needed
Premolars and molars almost always need a crown after root canal because they take the brunt of chewing force. Front teeth often do not. A crown adds £375–£425 (Member) to the total.
5. Pre-treatment infection or abscess
An actively infected tooth may need a short course of antibiotics before treatment and may require two visits rather than one. The fee itself does not change, but the visit schedule may.
6. Membership status
Privilege Programme members (from £20/month) receive Member rates — typically a 50% reduction — on root canal, crowns, consultations, and X-rays. Membership is optional; both figures are shown so you can compare honestly.
What's Included in the Root Canal Fee
Included in the root canal fee
- Local anaesthesia (topical numbing gel + injection)
- Rubber dam isolation for a sterile working field
- Cleaning, shaping, and disinfection of every canal in the tooth
- Sealing the canals with biocompatible gutta-percha
- A temporary filling on completion
- Follow-up review where clinically required
- Multiple appointments where indicated (two-visit cases at no extra cost for the root canal itself)
Charged separately
- Endodontic consultation (£95 / Member £47.50)
- Diagnostic X-rays (£20 standard / £10 Member, if clinically required)
- Core build-up if significant tooth structure is missing (from £75 Member)
- Final crown if recommended (from £375 Member for Zirconia)
- Antibiotics if prescribed (NHS prescription fee payable at pharmacy)
- Hygiene therapy if gum disease is present
- Specialist endodontist referral if anatomy is exceptionally complex
Root Canal vs Extraction: Honest Cost Comparison
Some patients ask whether it would be cheaper to extract a problematic tooth. Day one, yes — long-term, almost never. Here is the honest comparison:
| Pathway | Member Indicative Total | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Root canal + crown | from £805 (Member) | Natural tooth preserved · bite maintained · neighbouring teeth stable |
| Extraction only (do nothing after) | from £125 (Member, simple extraction) | Gap may cause adjacent teeth to drift · bone resorbs · bite changes over time |
| Extraction + implant + crown (later) | ~£2,950+ (implant excluded from membership) | Natural-feeling replacement, but several appointments over 3–6 months |
| Extraction + bridge (later) | from £497.50 per unit (Member) | Adjacent teeth must be prepared as supports — irreversible |
A successfully treated root canal can last for many years; preserving the natural tooth is usually the most conservative and cost-effective option. See our dental implant cost and dental crown cost pages for the alternatives.
What Root Canal Treatment Will — and Won't — Do
Root canal can typically:
- Eliminate infection inside the tooth
- Resolve toothache caused by pulp inflammation
- Preserve the natural tooth and avoid extraction
- Allow the tooth to continue functioning in your bite
- Be completed in one or two visits in most cases
Root canal will not:
- Whiten a tooth (a darkened tooth may need internal bleaching or a crown afterwards)
- Guarantee 100% success — published success rates are typically 85–95% over 5–10 years
- Be a substitute for a crown on a back tooth — a root-treated molar without a crown is at higher risk of fracture
- Restore a tooth that has fractured below the gum line — that tooth usually needs extraction
- Replace the need for good oral hygiene and regular check-ups
Where a tooth cannot be saved — for example, if the root is cracked below the bone — we will say so clearly and discuss replacement options. We do not perform root canal treatment on teeth that are not realistically restorable.
How Your Written Root Canal Quote Is Prepared
Step 1 — Emergency or endodontic consultation (£95)
A GDC-registered dentist examines the tooth, takes a diagnostic X-ray, and performs vitality testing to confirm the diagnosis and identify which tooth (or sometimes which adjacent tooth) is the source of pain.
Step 2 — Options explained honestly
We explain the realistic options — root canal, retreatment, extraction, or specialist referral — and the pros, cons, costs, and likely outcomes of each for your specific tooth.
Step 3 — Written treatment plan & quote
You receive a written, itemised plan showing the root canal fee, any core build-up, any crown, and the visit schedule. Standard and Member fees are both shown so you can decide on membership if appropriate.
Step 4 — Treatment in one or two visits
Most root canals are completed in one or two visits. After the canals are sealed and a temporary filling placed, the tooth is restored — usually with a crown — to protect it long-term.
Ways to Pay
Pay as you go
Pay per appointment as treatment progresses. Card, Apple Pay, and bank transfer accepted.
Privilege Membership
From £20/month. Reduces clinical fees by up to 50% across root canal, crowns, hygiene, X-rays, and consultations. No tie-in beyond the standard 12-month membership.
0% finance over 12 months
Eligible plans (typically root canal + crown combined) can be spread over 12 months at 0% APR Representative through our FCA-authorised lender. Longer terms with interest are also available.
Finance is subject to status and provided by an FCA-authorised third-party lender. Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic acts as a credit broker, not a lender. See our finance options page for representative examples and full terms.
Risks & Limitations You Should Know
In line with GDC and ASA standards, we do not present root canal treatment as risk-free. Before agreeing to treatment you should understand:
- Success is not guaranteed. Published 5–10 year success rates for first-time root canal treatment are typically 85–95%. Retreatments and complex anatomy carry slightly lower success rates. A small minority of teeth require retreatment, apical surgery, or eventual extraction.
- Post-operative discomfort. Mild tenderness for 2–5 days after treatment is normal and usually managed with over-the-counter painkillers. Significant pain or swelling beyond this is uncommon and should be reported.
- The tooth becomes more brittle. A root-treated tooth loses its internal blood supply and is more fracture-prone — which is why a crown is usually recommended on premolars and molars.
- Instrument separation. Very occasionally a small portion of a fine endodontic file can break inside a canal. Where this occurs, we discuss the implications transparently and the options for management.
- Flare-up. A small percentage of cases (around 1–3%) experience a temporary flare-up of symptoms between visits, requiring an unscheduled review.
- Some teeth cannot be saved. Vertical root fractures, extensive decay below the gum, or insufficient remaining tooth structure may make extraction the more honest recommendation — and we will say so.
- Crown still needed for full protection. Without a crown, a root-treated back tooth has a measurably higher fracture risk over the following years.
Why Patients Choose Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic for Root Canal Treatment
Modern endodontic technique
Digital X-rays, rotary nickel-titanium files, rubber dam isolation, and apex locators — the contemporary endodontic standard, not the painful procedure of decades past.
Same-day emergency appointments
Severe toothache rarely waits. We frequently see emergency endodontic patients on the same day to relieve pain and stabilise the tooth.
Honest specialist referrals
If your case warrants treatment by an endodontic specialist, we refer openly. The patient's outcome takes priority over keeping work in-house.
South Kensington address
20 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3DL — a short walk from South Kensington station. Easy access for emergency appointments.
Clinical Lead
Dr Yasha Shirazi
Clinical Lead & Principal Dentist · GDC No. 195843
Dr Yasha leads the endodontic team at Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic. Every root canal plan is reviewed for clinical appropriateness and long-term prognosis. Where a tooth is not realistically restorable, or where specialist endodontic referral would give a better outcome, that recommendation is made openly before any treatment is agreed.
Frequently Asked Questions about Root Canal Cost
How much does a root canal cost in London?
At Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic: a front tooth root canal starts from £495 standard (Member £247.50), a premolar from £595 standard (Member £297.50), and a molar from £645 standard (Member £322.50). All fees are confirmed in writing before treatment.
How much is a root canal and crown combined?
Typical Member totals: front tooth + E.max crown from £805; premolar + Zirconia crown from £805; molar + Zirconia crown from £830 (the most common scenario). These include consultation, X-ray, root canal, core build-up, and final crown.
Why are molar root canals more expensive than front teeth?
Molars typically have 3–4 canals; front teeth have 1. Each canal must be individually located, cleaned, shaped, and sealed. The extra anatomy means more chairside time and more clinical complexity, which is reflected in the fee.
Do I always need a crown after a root canal?
Premolars and molars almost always need a crown — they take heavy chewing forces and the tooth is more fracture-prone after the root has been treated. Front teeth often do not need a crown if there is enough healthy tooth structure remaining. Your dentist will advise on your specific tooth.
Is the consultation included in the root canal fee?
No — the endodontic consultation (£95 / Member £47.50) and any diagnostic X-rays are charged separately. For Members, the consultation fee is refundable against treatment if you proceed.
How much does root canal retreatment cost?
Retreatment of a previously root-filled tooth is more complex than a first treatment because the old filling material must be removed first. We quote retreatment individually after assessment, typically in the range of the original fee plus a complexity supplement. A specialist referral may also be appropriate in some cases.
Is a root canal cheaper than an extraction?
On day one, extraction is cheaper (from £125 Member for a simple extraction). However, replacing the extracted tooth with an implant typically costs £2,950+, or with a bridge from ~£497.50 per unit Member. Saving the natural tooth with root canal + crown (from £805 Member) is usually the most conservative and cost-effective long-term option.
How long does a root canal last?
Published 5–10 year success rates for first-time root canal treatment are typically 85–95%. A well-treated tooth that is properly restored — usually with a crown — can last many years, often a lifetime. Individual outcomes vary and we do not guarantee a specific lifespan.
Are root canals painful?
Modern root canal treatment under local anaesthetic is generally not painful — most patients report it feels similar to having a filling. The pain people associate with root canals is usually the pain of the infection itself, which the treatment relieves. Mild tenderness for 2–5 days afterwards is common.
Can I pay monthly?
Yes. Eligible plans (typically root canal + crown combined) can be spread over 12 months at 0% APR Representative through our FCA-authorised finance partner. Longer terms with interest are also available. Subject to status.
Is root canal available on the NHS?
Yes — root canal treatment is available on the NHS under Band 2. NHS treatment uses standard materials and timeframes. Our private endodontic care typically offers longer appointment times, modern instrumentation, and immediate access. If your case may be appropriate for NHS treatment we will say so.
Related Information
Root Canal Treatment — clinical overview
What root canal treatment is, the modern five-step process, signs and symptoms of pulp infection, and what to expect during and after treatment.
Dental Crown Cost
A crown is almost always recommended after root canal on a back tooth. See transparent crown pricing by material (Zirconia, E.max, gold).
Dental Implant Cost
If a tooth cannot be saved by root canal, see implant pricing and the honest comparison of long-term replacement options.
Finance Options
0% interest-free credit over 12 months and longer terms via our FCA-authorised lender. Representative examples included.
Get a Written Root Canal Quote
Book an endodontic consultation in South Kensington. We will examine the tooth, take a diagnostic X-ray, and give you an itemised, written quote — with both Standard and Privilege Member figures — before any treatment is agreed. Same-day emergency appointments are frequently available for patients in pain.
Same-day emergency appointments frequently available · 20 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3DL
Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic — 20 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 3DL.
Phone: 020 7183 0755 · Email: info@cosmeticdentistryclinic.co.uk
Fees shown are starting prices ("from £") and reflect typical cases — final fees depend on the tooth being treated, the number and complexity of canals, whether the treatment is a first-time procedure or a retreatment, any preparatory work (core build-up, crown), and individual clinical findings, and are confirmed in writing before treatment. Fees correct at time of publication and may be reviewed periodically. This page is general information and does not constitute clinical advice; suitability for root canal treatment depends on a clinical examination and diagnostic imaging by a GDC-registered dentist. Our clinic is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Finance is subject to status and provided by an FCA-authorised lender; Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. Success rates quoted (typically 85–95% at 5–10 years for first-time treatment) are general published ranges; individual outcomes vary and we do not guarantee a specific outcome or lifespan for any restoration.
Expert Insight
"We approach root canal cost not just as a procedure, but as a pivotal restoration of self. Precision is our baseline; artistry is our signature."
— Dr. Yasha Y Shirazi
GDC: 195843
The Process
- 01.
Comprehensive Diagnostics & 3D Imaging.
- 02.
Bespoke Treatment Planning & Aesthetic Calibration.
- 03.
Precision Execution & Final Artistry.
Benefits
- Improved Facial Harmony
- Restored Function & Longevity
- Seamless, Natural Aesthetics
Location
Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic20 Old Brompton Road
South Kensington
London, SW7 3DL
Located 2 minutes walk from South Kensington Station.
Opening Hours
- Mon - Wed09:00 - 18:00
- Thu09:00 - 20:00
- Fri09:00 - 17:00
- Sat10:00 - 16:00
- Sun10:00 - 16:00
Uncompromising Standards
True artistry requires a foundation of absolute safety. Our practice operates under the strictest clinical governance, ensuring that your journey is as safe as it is transformative. We are fully regulated, transparent, and dedicated to the highest tenets of medical ethics.
Begin Your Journey
Private consultations available in South Kensington. Join our membership for exclusive courtesies.