A root canal has an outsized reputation for pain and cost — both largely outdated. Done well it saves a tooth that would otherwise be lost, and in India it is remarkably affordable. Here is what the treatment and the crown that follows it really cost, and why they nearly always go together.

Root canal and crown cost: India vs UK

The figures below are per tooth. A root canal removes the infection; a crown then caps and protects the weakened tooth so it lasts. Most dentists treat them as one plan.

The crown is not optional padding on the bill — a root-treated tooth becomes brittle and can crack without one. Our guide on whether you need a crown after a root canal explains why, and the dental crowns guide covers the material choices.

What is included — and single-sitting RCT

A complete quote covers diagnosis and X-rays, cleaning and shaping the canals, sealing the tooth, and the final crown. Modern rotary instruments and better anaesthesia mean many root canals are finished comfortably in a single sitting — a real advantage if you are travelling, since the crown can often be fitted a day or two later. Our step-by-step root canal guide walks through exactly what happens in the chair, and the pain-free root canal guide addresses the fear most people arrive with.

A worked example

Here is a realistic single-tooth example for a molar needing a root canal and a zirconia crown.

If you are comparing purely on the root canal, our root canal cost: India vs UK guide focuses on that step alone.

Frequently asked questions