Root canal
Root canal treatment from GBP 73 - save teeth | Picasso Vietnam
Root canal treatment for UK patients at Picasso Dental Clinic Vietnam - save vs extract decision table, GBP costs by tooth type, crown follow-up, and trip planning.
Root canal treatment at Picasso Dental Clinic costs GBP 73–GBP 145 per tooth depending on tooth type - compared with GBP 581–GBP 1,210 per tooth at UK private clinics - removing infected pulp to save a tooth that would otherwise be extracted, with crown placement on the same Vietnam trip.
Root canal treatment at Picasso Dental Clinic costs GBP 73 for an incisor or canine and GBP 145 for a molar — compared with GBP 581–GBP 1,210 for the same molar root canal at a UK private clinic. The procedure removes infected or dead pulp from inside the tooth root canals, cleans and shapes them, fills with a biocompatible material, and seals the tooth — allowing the tooth to remain in service, typically under a crown.
This page covers which teeth can be saved, when extraction is the right decision, the complete GBP price table, and how to plan a root canal trip to Vietnam efficiently.
Save vs extract — the decision table
| Clinical finding | Likely recommendation | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Deep decay reaching pulp but root and bone intact | Save with root canal | Tooth is structurally viable |
| Dead tooth (discoloured, no sensation) but root intact | Save with root canal + internal bleaching if discoloured | No active infection; tooth is worth preserving |
| Cracked tooth — crack stops above bone | Save with root canal + crown | Crown holds the crack together |
| Vertical root fracture | Extract | Cannot be sealed; bacteria enter through fracture line |
| Root absorbed by body | Extract | Root canal cannot seal an absorbed root adequately |
| Severe bone loss around root | Likely extract | Prognosis is poor even if root canal succeeds |
| Failed previous root canal with persistent infection | Re-treat or extract | Re-treatment if canal anatomy allows; extract if not |
| Tooth is a strategic abutment for a bridge | Strong case to save with root canal | Losing the tooth removes the bridge |
Picasso assesses prognosis before treatment. If a tooth is judged to have a poor prognosis, extraction and implant planning is discussed as an alternative — you are not charged for a root canal that will not succeed.
GBP price table — root canal by tooth type
| Tooth type | Root canal | Root canal through crown | Re-treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incisor / canine | GBP 73 | GBP 87 | GBP 87 |
| Premolar | GBP 101 | GBP 116 | GBP 116 |
| Molar | GBP 145 | GBP 160 | GBP 160 |
Prices correct as at May 2026. Root canal through crown applies when an existing crown must be drilled through to access the canals — the crown cannot always be preserved and may need replacement. This is confirmed before treatment.
Additional root canal procedures
| Procedure | GBP |
|---|---|
| Partial pulpectomy (emergency pain relief) | GBP 58 |
| Canal obturation fill (separate session) | GBP 29 |
| MTA fill (for specific canal types) | GBP 58 |
| Indirect pulp capping — Calcium Hydroxide | GBP 9 |
| Indirect pulp capping — Biodentine | GBP 14 |
| Intracanal medicament (per visit) | GBP 9 |
| Endodontic surgery (root-end resection) | GBP 116 |
| Internal bleaching (for discoloured dead tooth) | GBP 58 per tooth |
How UK root canal prices compare
| Tooth type | UK NHS Band 2 | UK private range |
|---|---|---|
| Incisor / canine | GBP 70.70 | GBP 290 – GBP 581 |
| Premolar | GBP 70.70 | GBP 436 – GBP 726 |
| Molar | GBP 70.70 | GBP 581 – GBP 1,210 |
NHS root canal is affordable but access varies widely by area. UK private molar root canal is GBP 4–8 times the Picasso price. When combined with a crown at Picasso (GBP 145 for the root canal plus GBP 203–GBP 261 for the crown), the total for a molar root canal and crown is GBP 348–GBP 406 at Picasso versus GBP 1,065–GBP 2,420 privately in the UK.
The root canal procedure at Picasso
Assessment and planning:
- Periapical X-ray or CBCT to assess infection extent, canal count, and root curvature
- Vitality test and probing
- Written confirmation of save vs extract recommendation before treatment
Treatment (typically 1–2 visits):
- Local anaesthesia — rubber dam isolation for sterile field
- Access opening through crown surface or existing restoration
- Canal mapping with electronic apex locator — confirms working length
- Mechanical and chemical canal preparation (rotary files + irrigation)
- Intracanal medicament placed if infection is active; appointment completed
- Second visit: canals dried and filled with gutta-percha and sealer
- Access sealed; tooth charted
Crown follow-up (same trip):
- Core buildup placed (GBP 29) if needed
- Crown preparation, temporary placed
- Lab fabrication 3–5 days
- Final crown cemented
Trip planning for root canal and crown
Root canal and crown on the same trip is the standard Vietnam pattern. The combined treatment takes 7–10 days:
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1–2 | Assessment, X-ray, root canal first visit if multi-visit needed |
| Day 2–3 | Root canal completion, crown preparation, temporaries placed |
| Days 3–7 | Lab fabrication (3–5 working days) |
| Day 7–9 | Final crown fitted, bite adjusted |
| Day 9–10 | Buffer and departure |
For a single root canal and crown with no complications, 7 days is adequate. Add buffer days if multiple teeth need treatment. Use /uk-guide/timeline/ for annual-leave planning.
When root canal is not worth flying for alone
A single root canal at GBP 73–GBP 145 does not justify return flights from the UK on its own. Flight and accommodation costs will exceed the treatment saving. Root canal is most cost-effective at Picasso when:
- Multiple teeth need root canal and crowns
- Root canal is part of a larger treatment plan (smile makeover, full mouth reconstruction)
- You are already travelling for implants or veneers and have a tooth flagged on examination
For a single urgent root canal in the UK, see your UK dentist first. Picasso is for planned treatment trips, not emergencies requiring same-week travel.
What to do if you develop symptoms after returning to the UK
If a root-treated tooth develops:
- Swelling, heat, or throbbing pain
- A sinus (small bump) on the gum
- Loosening of the temporary or permanent crown
See your UK dentist as soon as possible. Bring your Picasso records so they can review the X-ray and treatment documentation. In most cases, this is a straightforward local review. Picasso is available by WhatsApp for post-treatment questions — your coordinator can connect you with the treating dentist for guidance.
Safety and sterile protocol
Root canal is a sterile procedure. Picasso uses:
- Rubber dam isolation on every root canal case
- Disposable rotary file sets or sterilised reusable instruments
- Autoclave sterilisation per ISO 17665
- New local anaesthetic cartridge per patient
Details at /safety/sterilisation-standards/.
Next step
If you have a toothache, dental photographs, or a recent X-ray showing a tooth that may need root canal, upload these at Free GBP quote. The response confirms whether root canal is likely and gives an itemised GBP total including crown.
Related pages
- Crowns — essential follow-up for most root-treated back teeth
- Dental implants — when extraction is the better decision
- Bridges — replacing a tooth that could not be saved
- Full mouth reconstruction — when multiple teeth need root canal as part of a larger plan