Paediatric Root Canal Prices 2026
Calculate your TDB 2026 reference fee for endodontic root canal treatment on your child’s baby teeth.
Set the number of baby teeth with advanced decay or pulp inflammation. The treatment plan is finalised after a paediatric dentistry examination.
Approximate Clinician Fee
TDB 2026 reference · VAT excluded
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This figure reflects the TDB 2026 minimum guideline tariff. For a personalised quote, please get in touch.
Reference fees are based on the TDB 2026 Guideline Tariff (3-7 Baby Tooth Root Canal Treatment). Prices shown are exclusive of VAT. The definitive plan is set after your child’s examination.
Paediatric root canal prices are one of the topics researched by parents whose child has advanced decay or dental trauma. A paediatric root canal is the procedure performed when pulp (nerve tissue) infection develops in baby teeth or young permanent teeth: the pulp is removed and the canal is filled with appropriate materials. Unlike an adult root canal, there are critical differences — the resorbing root structure of a baby tooth, the incomplete root development of a young permanent tooth, and the paediatric-dentistry approach.
When dental decay progresses in children — passing through enamel and dentin to reach the pulp — severe pain, hot/cold sensitivity, spontaneous throbbing pain, and ultimately an abscess can develop. At this point a primary tooth filling is no longer enough, and the pulp must be removed partially or completely. If only the coronal portion of the pulp is affected, a pulpotomy is performed; if the entire pulp is affected, a pulpectomy (the classical root canal treatment) is performed. Extraction is the alternative, but extracting a baby tooth leads to space loss and the need for a space maintainer.
Different approaches come into play in young permanent teeth. If a young permanent tooth with incomplete root development (an open apex) loses pulp vitality, vital pulp therapy (apexogenesis) or apex closure (apexification) procedures are used. Modern biocompatible materials such as MTA (mineral trioxide aggregate) and Biodentine are preferred for this work.
At our clinic Doredent in Avcılar, Istanbul, paediatric root canal treatment is delivered by our paediatric dentist Dr. Dt. Ceyda Pınar Tanrıverdi using child-friendly behavioural management protocols. In every case, the most appropriate treatment is selected based on the type of tooth, the state of the pulp, and the child’s age, aiming for a long-lasting and comfortable outcome.
What Is a Paediatric Root Canal?
A paediatric root canal is the procedure performed when pulp (nerve) tissue in a baby tooth or a young permanent tooth becomes partially or fully infected, necrotic (loses vitality), or traumatised: the pulp is removed, the canal is disinfected, and it is filled with the appropriate material. The goal is to keep the tooth in the mouth, preserve chewing function, and prevent damage to neighbouring tissues.
Unlike permanent teeth, the filling materials used in baby tooth root canals are resorbable (such as zinc oxide eugenol and calcium hydroxide–iodoform based pastes). That way, when it’s time for the baby tooth to shed, the roots resorb normally and nothing stands in the way of the permanent tooth erupting. In young permanent teeth, modern cements such as MTA and Biodentine are used to achieve closure of the root tip.
Types of Paediatric Root Canal
Pulpotomy
Baby ToothPerformed when only the coronal portion of the pulp is inflamed in a baby tooth. The coronal pulp is removed and the radicular pulp is preserved. Completed with materials such as MTA, ferric sulphate, or formocresol. Pulpotomy page.
Pulpectomy
Baby ToothPerformed in a baby tooth when the entire pulp (both coronal and radicular) is inflamed or necrotic. The entire pulp is removed, the canal is cleaned, and it is filled with a resorbable filling paste. It is the baby-tooth version of the classical root canal treatment.
Apexogenesis
Young PermanentPerformed in a young permanent tooth with incomplete root development that still has vital pulp. The coronal portion of the vital pulp is removed and the radicular pulp is preserved. The goal is to allow the root to complete its natural development.
Apexification
Young PermanentPerformed in young permanent teeth with incomplete root development whose pulp has become necrotic (dead). A hard barrier is created at the root tip with MTA so the canal can then be filled.
The Paediatric Root Canal Process
Paediatric root canal treatment is delivered alongside paediatric behavioural management protocols. The steps are as follows:
Clinical Examination and Diagnosis
We listen to the child’s symptoms (pain, sensitivity, swelling) and examine the tooth clinically. The depth of the decay and its relationship with the pulp are assessed; the child’s pain threshold is observed.
Radiographic Assessment
A periapical radiograph is taken to assess the state of the pulp, the extent of root resorption, the stage of root development in young permanent teeth, and the presence of any abscess. The treatment plan is built around these findings.
Anaesthesia
Topical anaesthesia is applied first, then local anaesthesia. Because a child’s pain threshold is lower, it’s very important for anaesthesia to work well. A child-friendly approach minimises awareness of the needle.
Rubber Dam (Isolation)
The tooth to be treated is isolated from the rest of the mouth. This both keeps the tooth sterile and protects the child (preventing instruments from being swallowed). It is a requirement of endodontic standards.
Access to the Pulp
An access cavity is opened in the crown of the tooth; the pulp chamber is reached with a bur. Carious tissue is cleaned out and the state of the pulp (vital, inflamed, necrotic) is assessed. The treatment type is finalised at this stage.
Removing the Pulp
Depending on the treatment type, only the coronal portion of the pulp (pulpotomy) or all of it (pulpectomy) is removed. The canal is cleaned and disinfected with files and irrigation solutions; the bacterial load is minimised.
Canal Filling and Crown
The canal is filled with age-appropriate material (a resorbable paste in baby teeth; MTA/Biodentine in young permanent teeth). For baby teeth with significant structure loss, a stainless steel crown is placed.
Factors Affecting Paediatric Root Canal Prices
Paediatric root canal cost varies with the type of treatment, the tooth’s location, and the material used:
Type of Treatment
The duration and material requirements differ across pulpotomy, pulpectomy, apexogenesis, and apexification. This directly affects cost; complex cases take longer.
Location and Type of Tooth
Anterior (incisor) teeth are single-rooted and take less time. Molars are multi-rooted, so they take longer and cost more. Primary molars can have 3–4 canals.
Material Used
Modern biocompatible materials such as MTA and Biodentine cost more than traditional pastes. However, their success rates and long-term outcomes are also higher; they’re an investment.
Number of Sessions
There is a cost difference between cases completed in a single session and multi-session cases that require medicament dressing because of an abscess. The state of the abscess determines the number of sessions.
Need for a Crown
A stainless steel crown needs to be placed on baby teeth with significant structure loss after root canal treatment. This adds cost, but extends the life of the tooth.
Sedation / General Anaesthesia
In young or uncooperative children, sedation or general anaesthesia in a hospital setting may be needed. This significantly increases total cost, but it can be essential for successful treatment.
Paediatric vs. Adult Root Canal
| Feature | Baby Tooth Root Canal | Adult Root Canal |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Preserve the tooth until natural exfoliation | Preserve the tooth for life |
| Root Anatomy | Requires a resorbable filling material | Filled permanently with gutta-percha |
| Filling Material | Zinc oxide eugenol, Ca(OH)₂–iodoform | Gutta-percha + sealer |
| Session Length | Kept short (for child cooperation) | Standard duration |
| Restoration | Usually protected with an SSC | Zirconia / porcelain crown |
| Success Monitoring | The permanent-tooth eruption process is tracked | Periapical healing is tracked |
Frequently Asked Questions
Saving a baby tooth rather than extracting it matters for chewing, speech, aesthetics, and space preservation. Early baby tooth loss leads to orthodontic problems in the permanent dentition; a root canal cuts that chain off at the start.
With local anaesthesia, the treatment itself is painless. Pain has usually already developed before treatment because the decay has reached the pulp, and the root canal resolves that pain. Mild sensitivity for 1–2 days afterwards is normal; painkillers are usually not needed.
Most cases can be completed in a single session. However, if there is an abscess, 1–2 additional sessions with a medicament temporary filling may be needed. The number of sessions varies with the state of the tooth and the infection; the child’s cooperation also factors into session planning.
No. Early extraction of a baby tooth leads to drifting of neighbouring teeth into the gap, the need for a space maintainer, and downstream problems such as crowding. Every case should be assessed, and saving the tooth should be the preferred option.
A correctly performed baby tooth root canal allows the tooth to be used without issue until it is naturally shed. Teeth restored with a stainless steel crown after the root canal in particular last a long time; without a crown, the risk of fracture is high.
A pulpotomy removes only the coronal portion of the pulp. A pulpectomy removes both the coronal and radicular pulp entirely. The choice depends on how affected the pulp is; the decision is made after the radiograph and the clinical examination.
MTA (mineral trioxide aggregate) and Biodentine are modern calcium silicate–based cements that are biocompatible and have high success rates. They are the gold standard for baby tooth pulpotomy and for apexification in young permanent teeth, delivering superior outcomes compared with traditional materials.
If the pulp of a young permanent tooth with incomplete root development is still vital, apexogenesis supports the natural development of the root. If the pulp is necrotic, apexification creates an MTA barrier so the canal can be filled. Modern protocols allow the tooth to remain in the mouth for a long time.
Especially in molars, the tooth becomes brittle after a root canal. If structure loss is extensive, a stainless steel crown is strongly recommended for a long-lasting result; without one, the tooth can fracture and need to be extracted.
SGK provides cover for paediatric dental treatments delivered in contracted state hospitals and oral and dental health centres. Root canal treatment in private clinics is outside SGK coverage; some private health insurance policies may partially cover paediatric dental treatment. We recommend checking with your insurance provider about the scope of your cover.
