NHS vs private dental costs, treatment by treatment
NHS dental charges are fixed nationally, while private prices vary practice to practice — which makes "is it worth going private?" a genuinely answerable question. These comparisons put both numbers side by side for 8 common treatments, using 2026/27 NHS rates.
Check-up (examination)
NHS £27.90 · private £45–£95
≈2.5× privately →
Scale & polish (clinically needed)
NHS £27.90 · private £55–£120
≈3.1× privately →
Filling
NHS £76.60 · private £90–£300
≈2.5× privately →
Tooth extraction
NHS £76.60 · private £100–£350
≈2.9× privately →
Root canal treatment
NHS £76.60 · private £250–£700
≈6.2× privately →
Crown
NHS £332.10 · private £450–£1,000
≈2.2× privately →
Dentures
NHS £332.10 · private £600–£2,500
≈4.7× privately →
Urgent dental treatment
NHS £27.90 · private £50–£150
≈3.6× privately →
The full picture
NHS vs Private: What You Pay
NHS charges are fixed nationally in England (Band 1 £27.90, Band 2 £76.60, Band 3 £332.10 — one charge per course, highest band only). Private prices are indicative UK ranges and vary by practice — check a practice's profile for its own published prices, or a written quote for an exact figure.
| Treatment | NHS (England) | Private (typical UK range) |
|---|---|---|
| Private check-up (examination) | £27.90 (Band 1) | £45.00–£95.00 |
| Hygienist visit | £27.90 (Band 1) | £55.00–£120.00 |
| White (composite) filling (per tooth) | £76.60 (Band 2) | £90.00–£300.00 |
| Tooth extraction (per tooth) | £76.60 (Band 2) | £100.00–£350.00 |
| Root canal treatment (per tooth) | £76.60 (Band 2) | £250.00–£700.00 |
| Crown (per tooth) | £332.10 (Band 3) | £450.00–£1,000.00 |
| Single dental implant (per implant) | Not NHS-funded | £1,800.00–£3,000.00 |
| Porcelain veneer (per tooth) | Not NHS-funded | £400.00–£1,000.00 |
| Composite bonding (per tooth) | Not NHS-funded | £150.00–£400.00 |
| Home teeth whitening kit (dentist-supplied) (per course) | Not NHS-funded | £250.00–£500.00 |
| In-chair teeth whitening (per course) | Not NHS-funded | £300.00–£700.00 |
| Clear aligners (e.g. Invisalign) (per course) | Not NHS-funded | £1,500.00–£5,000.00 |
| Full dentures (per set) | £332.10 (Band 3) | £600.00–£2,500.00 |
Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland charge differently to England for NHS treatment — see the NHS cost calculator for your country. Private ranges are national indicative figures, not quotes.