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 (£73.50). Regional prices from 1,100+ practices.
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 cheaper 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 cheapest. Central London has the widest range — you can find both budget and premium practices.
NHS vs private filling costs
| | NHS (England) | Private | |---|---|---| | Cost | £73.50 (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 cheaper 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
Compare dental prices
Compare private dental prices across 2,000+ UK practices — fillings, crowns, veneers, and more.
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