How Much Does a Dental Filling Cost in the UK? Private vs NHS (2026)
Private dental filling costs in the UK: composite fillings from £150, amalgam from £110. Compare with NHS Band 2 (£76.60). Regional prices from 1,100+ practices.
10-second answer
- NHS Band 2 (covers fillings, root canals, extractions) is £76.60 in England (April 2026).
- Private composite (white) fillings typically cost £80–£250 depending on size and tooth.
- Material choice (composite, amalgam, gold inlay) and case complexity drive private pricing.
How much does a private dental filling cost in the UK? Based on data from 1,100+ UK dental practices, a composite (white) filling costs a median of £150 and an amalgam (silver) filling costs a median of £110. This guide breaks down the costs by region and type.
Filling prices by type
| Type | National median | Range (P5–P95) | Practices sampled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite (white) | £150 | £75 – £280 | 1,128 |
| Amalgam (silver) | £110 | £66 – £198 | 434 |
Composite fillings are more expensive because they match your tooth colour and require more skill to place. Amalgam fillings are lower-cost but are silver-coloured and increasingly less popular.
Fewer practices now offer amalgam fillings. Composite is the standard for most private dentists. If you specifically want amalgam (which some patients prefer for durability on back teeth), check that your practice offers it.
Regional prices — composite fillings
| Region | Median | Range | Practices |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | £150 | £75 – £280 | 1,128 |
| Central London | £150 | £80 – £325 | 204 |
| Greater London | £150 | £75 – £297 | 143 |
| South (excl. London) | £155 | £85 – £269 | 353 |
| Midlands | £150 | £85 – £266 | 189 |
| North | £140 | £72 – £225 | 239 |
The North is typically lower-cost. Central London has the widest range — you can find both budget and premium practices.
NHS vs private filling costs
| NHS (England) | Private | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £76.60 (Band 2) | £75 – £280 |
| Covers | All fillings needed in one course | Per filling |
| Waiting time | Can be weeks/months | Usually same week |
| Material choice | Dentist's discretion | Your choice |
| Appointment length | Often shorter | Usually longer |
The NHS Band 2 charge covers all fillings needed in a single course of treatment — even multiple fillings. Private charges are per filling, so multiple fillings will cost more.
What affects the price?
- Size of filling: Larger cavities require more material and time
- Number of surfaces: A filling on one surface is lower-cost than one spanning multiple surfaces
- Location in mouth: Front teeth (visible) may cost more for cosmetic matching
- Material: Composite costs more than amalgam
- Practice location: London and the South tend to be more expensive
- Dentist experience: Specialists or cosmetic dentists charge more
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Methodology, extracts and licensing
Main sources
- NHS Business Services Authority dental charges schedule
- Published private practice price lists
- GDC public register for clinicians
- TreatCompare compiled UK dental pricing dataset
Methodology: We compare advertised UK private filling prices alongside NHS Band 2 charges. Private prices vary by clinician seniority, material (composite/white vs amalgam), case complexity and location. NHS treatment is available for clinical need; private treatment offers material and timing choice.
TreatCompare publishes healthcare, care-cost and treatment-pricing research for consumers, journalists, policymakers and commercial teams.
Important context
Provider and clinic profiles may combine public datasets, provider-published information and TreatCompare analysis. Registration status, services, prices and contact details can change. Verify directly with the provider before making treatment, commercial or legal decisions.
- Source type
- Named public and provider sources
- Primary source
- NHS dental charges
- Reporting period
- 2026-04-29
- Last updated
- 2026-04-29
- Figure type
- Mixed sources
- Use
- Research and comparison only
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If you believe information on this page is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete or presented without necessary context, contact us with the page URL and supporting evidence. We review correction requests promptly, but they are not automatically accepted.
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Dental price depth
High-intent dental searches this page supports
Dental search depth works best when each treatment has a price range, material distinction, NHS/private context, local angle and a quote checklist.
| Search target | Price signal | Depth angle | Next data point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental filling cost UK | Composite and amalgam rows | Material, tooth surface and NHS Band 2 comparison | Practice-level examples from the dental scraper |
| Dental implant cost UK | Single implant, abutment and crown ranges | Bone graft, CT scan, sedation and All-on-4 add-ons | Clinic examples by city and implant package inclusions |
| Dental crown cost UK | Porcelain, zirconia and metal crown rows | Lab fee, temporary crown and root canal dependency | Provider-published crown material price rows |
| Private dentist by city | City check-up, filling, crown and implant bands | London premium versus regional city pages | CQC/GDC practice records and current price observations |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private dental filling cost in the UK?
Based on data from over 1,100 UK dental practices, a composite (white) filling costs a median of £150 (range £75–£280) and an amalgam (silver) filling costs a median of £110 (range £66–£198). Composite is more expensive because it matches tooth colour and requires more skill to place.
How much does a filling cost on the NHS?
An NHS filling in England is £76.60 (Band 2), and the charge covers all fillings needed in a single course of treatment — even multiple fillings. Private charges are per filling at £75–£280, so multiple private fillings will cost more. NHS waiting times can be weeks or months while private treatment is usually available the same week.
What's the difference between composite and amalgam fillings?
Composite (white) fillings cost a median of £150 privately and match tooth colour. Amalgam (silver) fillings cost a median of £110 but are silver-coloured and increasingly less popular — fewer practices now offer them. Composite is the standard for most private dentists; if you specifically want amalgam (which some patients prefer for durability on back teeth), check that your practice offers it.
Where in the UK are dental fillings lower-cost?
The North is typically lower-cost, with composite fillings at a median of £140 (range £72–£225). Central London (£150) and Greater London (£150) match the national median, while the South excluding London is slightly higher at £155. Central London has the widest price range — you can find both budget and premium practices there.
What affects the cost of a dental filling?
Price depends on the size of the filling (larger cavities require more material and time), the number of surfaces involved, the tooth's location (front teeth may cost more for cosmetic matching), the material (composite costs more than amalgam), the practice's location (London and the South tend to be more expensive), and the dentist's experience — specialists or cosmetic dentists charge more.
Sources & further reading
- NHS dental charges — Current NHS dental band charge context
- General Dental Council — UK dental professional registration
- TreatCompare dental prices — Private dental price comparison data
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