# Are white fillings available on the NHS?

Source: https://thelocaldentist.co.uk/answers/are-white-fillings-available-on-the-nhs/
Updated: 2026-07-15

## Quick answer

Yes — when they are clinically appropriate. On front teeth, white (composite) fillings are the NHS standard. On back teeth, the dentist decides the suitable material: amalgam has traditionally been used for large load-bearing fillings, though its use is being phased down and many practices now place composite routinely. What the NHS does not fund is choosing white over amalgam purely for appearance — that upgrade is a private option, typically £90–300 per tooth. All clinically necessary fillings sit in Band 2 (£76.60 in England), however many you need.

## Key facts

- White composite fillings are standard NHS treatment on front teeth
- On back teeth the dentist chooses the clinically appropriate material
- Amalgam use is being phased down internationally — composite is increasingly the default
- A purely cosmetic upgrade to white is private: typically £90–300 per tooth
- NHS fillings are Band 2 — £76.60 in England covers every filling in the course
- Amalgam is already banned for under-15s and pregnant or breastfeeding patients except where strictly necessary

Editorial content from The Local Dentist — not clinical advice.