Costs & Charges
How much does a filling cost in the UK?
By The Local Dentist Editorial · Updated 13 July 2026
What a filling costs on the NHS
Fillings are Band 2 treatment in England, charged at £76.60 for 2026/27. The charge is per course of treatment, not per tooth: whether you need one filling or four, a course that peaks at Band 2 costs £76.60 in total, and it also includes everything from Band 1, such as the examination and X-rays. Extractions and root canal treatment sit in the same band, so a course combining a filling and an extraction is still one £76.60 charge. Wales dropped bands entirely from April 2026: fillings now fall under the simple restorative care package at a fixed £36.03, which covers up to four teeth treated in the same course. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, fillings are charged item by item at 80% of the item cost, capped at £384 for the whole course — and NHS examinations are free in Scotland.
Private filling prices and why they vary
A private white (composite) filling typically costs £90–300 per tooth. The range is wide because price depends on the size and position of the filling, the time it takes, and the practice's own pricing — private dental prices are set by each practice, unlike NHS charges. Larger back-tooth restorations and cosmetic layering work sit at the top of the range. Because you pay per tooth privately, several fillings can cost far more than the single NHS Band 2 charge, which is worth weighing up if you have access to an NHS dentist. Always ask for a written treatment plan with per-item prices before agreeing to private work.
White fillings on the NHS — what the rules actually say
The NHS provides the type of filling that is clinically appropriate. In practice that often means amalgam (silver) fillings on back teeth and tooth-coloured fillings on front teeth, where appearance is part of the clinical picture. If you want a white filling on a back tooth for cosmetic reasons, many practices offer it privately alongside NHS care — that is allowed, but the dentist must set out the NHS alternative and both prices on your treatment plan first, and can never charge an NHS band price plus a private top-up for the same item. If cost matters, say so before treatment starts and ask what the NHS option is.
When a filling costs you nothing
NHS dental treatment, including fillings, is free in England if you are under 18 or 18 in full-time education, pregnant or within 12 months of giving birth with a maternity exemption certificate, receiving NHS hospital dental treatment, holding an HC2 low-income certificate, or receiving qualifying benefits. Note that being over 60 does not make dental treatment free — that rule applies to prescriptions only. If a filling is left untreated, decay usually progresses and the fix gets more expensive: a tooth that could have been filled at Band 2 may eventually need a crown at Band 3 (£332.10) or root canal treatment. Seeing a dentist promptly is the cheapest option.
People Also Ask
Do I pay £76.60 per filling on the NHS?
No — £76.60 is the total Band 2 charge for the whole course of treatment in England, however many fillings it includes. NHS charges are never added up per item.
Why is a private filling more expensive than the NHS charge?
Private prices are set per tooth by each practice and reflect materials, time, and cosmetic finish, typically £90–300 for a white filling. The NHS charge is a nationally fixed contribution towards clinically necessary care, not a market price.
Can I get a white filling on the NHS?
Yes, where it is the clinically appropriate option — usually on front teeth. On back teeth the NHS option is often amalgam; a white alternative may be offered privately. Your dentist must show both options and prices on a written treatment plan.
What happens if I need a filling and a crown in the same course?
You pay one charge at the highest band reached. A course including a crown is Band 3 — £332.10 in England — and that single charge covers the filling too.
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This article is general information for UK patients, not clinical advice, and NHS rules and charges change — confirm current rules on nhs.uk or speak to a dentist before acting. For severe facial swelling affecting breathing/swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or trauma call 999 / go to A&E; otherwise NHS 111 for urgent dental access. Price figures are indicative benchmarks from our methodology.