Root Canal & Crown FAQs for International Patients

UK private pricing: root canal $400-1,250 (general dentist) or $810-2,050 (specialist), plus a crown at $670-1,400 — commonly $1,850-3,400 total for a molar. At Tooth Simplified: root canal from $30 plus a zirconia crown at $80, roughly $110. That’s typically 85-97% less than UK private pricing, before flights.

Honestly, for a single straightforward tooth, the maths is less compelling once you add a $670-950 return flight — you might save a few hundred pounds, not thousands. It makes far more financial sense if you’re treating multiple teeth, or combining root canal work with other treatment (implants, crowns, veneers) in the same trip. We’ll give you a combined quote so you can judge for yourself before committing to travel.

NHS charges are banded: Band 1 ($40) covers exams and X-rays, Band 2 ($100) covers root canals and fillings, Band 3 ($450) covers crowns and bridges. The catch is access, not price — NHS England data shows roughly 12 million people in England were unable to access NHS dental care in the past two years, and over 1,000 practices dropped NHS contracts in 2023. Many patients end up paying private UK prices anyway, or travelling, simply because they can’t get an NHS appointment at all.

Published clinical data puts root canal success at roughly 85-97% overall — higher (95-97%) for simpler front teeth, lower (85-90%) for multi-canal molars. A well-treated root canal, properly restored with a crown, commonly lasts a lifetime with normal care.

Dr. Bandhavi holds an MDS in Endodontics (root canal specialist qualification) and is registered with the Delhi Dental Council. We use rubber-dam isolation, rotary NiTi files and sterile single-use/autoclaved instruments as standard, the same clinical protocols associated with higher success rates in published literature. Ask us any specific question about our sterilisation or credentials before booking — we’ll answer directly.

Yes — send us a description of your symptoms, and a recent X-ray if you have one (from an NHS or private UK dentist), on WhatsApp. We’ll give you an honest initial assessment and price range before you commit to travel; the final price is confirmed once we examine the tooth in person.

Plan for at least 4-7 days: the root canal itself is often a single sitting, but the permanent crown is usually fitted about a week later once a temporary filling has settled and any swelling has fully subsided. If you’re combining treatments, your stay may be longer — we’ll map out a realistic itinerary once we know your treatment plan.

No more than in the UK — it’s done under local anaesthesia, same as standard UK practice, so you shouldn’t feel pain during treatment. Mild soreness for a day or two afterward is normal and manageable with standard painkillers, which you can also bring or buy locally.

Message us on WhatsApp — we’re reachable for aftercare questions regardless of time zone. Straightforward post-treatment sensitivity is common and normal; if something seems genuinely wrong, we’ll advise honestly whether it needs a UK dentist to look at urgently or can wait for your next visit, and we’ll give you clear notes to hand to a UK dentist if needed.

Standard travel insurance for India is sensible for any trip, but note that most travel insurance does NOT cover planned dental treatment abroad (it’s for emergencies, lost luggage, etc.) — budget for your dental costs separately. We can provide an itemised invoice for your records.

A Medical e-Visa, applied for online at least 4 days before arrival, valid for triple entry within 60 days — this is the correct visa category for travelling to India specifically for treatment, not a standard tourist e-visa. Check the official Indian e-Visa portal for current fees and exact processing times before booking flights.

Zirconia ($80) looks natural and is what most international patients choose, especially for visible teeth, since you’re unlikely to want a visibly metal tooth once home. Metal ($50) is stronger and fine for back molars nobody sees. Both typically last 10-15+ years.

Yes, and we’d encourage it as routine follow-up, not because anything is expected to be wrong. We’ll give you full treatment notes and X-rays to share with your UK dentist so any future work has a clear record.

If pain returns, it’s usually a missed canal or reinfection, treatable with retreatment. This can typically be done by any qualified endodontist, including in the UK if a return trip isn’t practical — we’ll give you full notes so continuity of care isn’t a problem either way.

Message us on WhatsApp (+91 92174 22917, also reachable from UK numbers) with your symptoms or an X-ray if you have one. We’ll respond with an honest assessment, typically within a day given the time difference, and help you plan your trip once you’re ready to book.