How Much Is a Filling in the UK? NHS and Private Costs

An NHS filling in England falls under Band 2, currently £76.60 for a course of treatment—not necessarily for each tooth. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different charging arrangements. faq.nhsbsa.nhs.uk

Private prices depend on the practice and the work required. MoneyHelper gives an indicative £100–£180 for a private white filling on a back tooth, but this is not a national tariff or maximum price. Your quotation may be higher, particularly for a larger restoration. moneyhelper.org.uk

The most useful figure is your complete treatment cost, including any separately charged examination, X-rays and follow-up work.

Prices and guidance checked on 25 October 2026. This guide explains costs; a dentist must assess which treatment you need.

NHS Filling Costs Across the UK

Before comparing prices, check which country’s charging system applies to your appointment.

England

The NHS dental charges guide lists fillings under Band 2: £76.60.

This includes relevant Band 1 care, such as the examination and clinically necessary X-rays, within the same course of treatment.

If your agreed Band 2 course includes two or three fillings, you pay the band charge once. If it also includes higher-band treatment, such as a crown, the higher charge applies.

Example: An examination, necessary X-rays and two fillings within one Band 2 course cost £76.60 in total, provided no private treatment is included and you are not exempt. Separate courses can attract separate charges. www.nhs.uk

Wales

Wales introduced care-package charges from April 2026. Older guides quoting £60 for Band 2 treatment may therefore be outdated.

The Welsh Government’s current dental charges include:

• Simple restorative care: £36.03, covering specified treatments, including fillings, for up to four teeth.
• Extensive restorative care: £68.75, covering those treatments for five to eight teeth.
• New-patient assessment: £27.21.
• Recall appointment: £25.

Ask which assessment and treatment packages apply. The restorative package alone should not automatically be treated as your complete bill.

The guidance sets a maximum total charge of £384 for a course, or multiple courses delivered at the same time. Some packages exclude laboratory charges, which may be payable separately. faq.nhsbsa.nhs.uk

Scotland

NHS dental examinations in Scotland are free. However, that does not mean all patients receive free fillings.

Patients who pay generally contribute 80% of NHS treatment costs, up to £384 per course. Your estimate depends on the treatment required.

Check NHS Inform’s examination and treatment guidance and request an individual estimate. www.nhsinform.scot

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland uses an itemised Health Service charging schedule rather than England’s Band 2 system.

The nidirect guidance on dental treatment directs patients to the Statement of Dental Remuneration, which lists patient charges.

Ask your practice to explain the items on your treatment plan and identify any work being provided privately. www.nidirect.gov.uk

How Much Does a Private Filling Cost?

There is no fixed UK-wide private filling price.

MoneyHelper’s dental cost guide gives £100–£180 as an indicative price for a private white filling on a back tooth. Treat that as a reference point for that example, rather than a promise that every filling will fit within the range. moneyhelper.org.uk

The Competition and Markets Authority’s guidance on choosing and paying for dental care confirms that private prices vary between practices and encourages patients to compare clear price information. GOV.UK

A low advertised “from” price may cover only a small restoration. It may also exclude your initial assessment.

Before booking, ask:

“What is the estimated total, including the examination, necessary X-rays and the permanent filling?”

What Makes One Filling More Expensive Than Another?

The Size of the Restoration

A filling may cover one or several tooth surfaces. A surface is an area of the tooth being restored.

A larger restoration can require more material, shaping and treatment time. Check whether two quotations describe the same amount of work.

The Material

Fillings can use different materials, including tooth-coloured materials and amalgam. The dentist should recommend a suitable option based on your clinical needs.

The NHS explanation of dental treatments describes these options. Ask which material your estimate includes and whether an alternative would change the price. www.nhs.uk

The Condition of the Tooth

A dentist may find that a straightforward filling is not the appropriate treatment. A root canal treatment, crown or another restoration involves different work and costs.

Ask what the examination showed and why the proposed treatment is necessary.

Additional Appointments and Services

Check whether you will pay separately for:

• The initial examination.
• X-rays.
• Temporary treatment.
• The permanent restoration.
• Any planned follow-up.
• Sedation, if separately proposed.

Do not assume that every item is additional or that every item is included. Ask the practice to confirm.

How to Calculate Your Complete Bill

For private care, a useful calculation is:

Examination + separately charged X-rays + filling + other agreed charges = estimated total

For example, imagine a practice quotes:

Item	Illustrative charge
Examination	£60
X-ray	£15
Filling	£180
Total	£255

These are invented figures to demonstrate the calculation, not a market-price estimate.

An advertised £180 filling could therefore produce a £255 bill if those other charges apply separately. If the examination or imaging is already included, do not add it twice.

Ask for a written estimate and clarification of anything that could change after treatment begins.

Can You Get a Filling Free or at a Reduced Cost?

Eligibility depends on where you receive treatment and your circumstances.

In England, groups who can qualify include:

• People under 18.
• People under 19 and in full-time education.
• People who are pregnant or have had a baby within the previous 12 months.
• People receiving qualifying benefits or meeting relevant low-income conditions.

Universal Credit does not automatically qualify every recipient; income conditions apply.

Use the NHS guidance on free treatment and help with dental costs to check your position. For treatment elsewhere in the UK, follow the relevant national guidance. www.nhs.uk

Could a Dental School Help?

Some dental schools and hospitals offer free or lower-cost treatment through teaching services.

The Dental Schools Council’s patient information explains that eligibility and referral arrangements differ. Many services require a referral, while some accept direct enquiries.

Acceptance is not guaranteed. Check the local service’s criteria rather than assuming that anyone can book a free filling. Dental Schools Council

What If You Cannot Find an NHS Dentist?

Ask specifically for an NHS appointment, because some practices offer both NHS and private care.

In England, the NHS guide to finding a dentist explains that you can contact practices directly. If you cannot find an appointment, your local integrated care board may be able to advise.

A practice offering private appointments does not necessarily have NHS availability. Confirm the appointment type and likely charges before attending. NHS

Do You Have to Pay Again if a Filling Falls Out?

Not always. Contact the practice that provided the filling before assuming you need to pay for a completely new restoration.

In England, certain NHS restorations, including fillings, have a 12-month guarantee, subject to conditions.

The NHS Business Services Authority’s guarantee guidance says repairs or replacements must be carried out at the original practice. Exceptions include temporary restorations, trauma and private treatment subsequently performed on the same tooth.

The guarantee does not mean every later problem with that tooth is automatically covered. Ask the practice to assess what happened. faq.nhsbsa.nhs.uk

Questions to Ask Before Agreeing to Treatment

Use this short checklist when discussing your estimate:

1. Is each part of my treatment NHS or private?
2. Which tooth and how many surfaces need restoring?
3. Which material is included?
4. Is this a temporary or permanent filling?
5. What is the complete estimated cost?
6. What could change that estimate?
7. What happens if the restoration needs adjustment or replacement?

If cost worries you, explain this before treatment starts. Ask about clinically appropriate options and available financial help.

A monthly dental plan may cover check-ups while offering only a discount on fillings. Read the terms rather than assuming restorative treatment is included.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are White Fillings Available on the NHS?

They can be provided where clinically appropriate. Ask which material is suitable for your tooth and included in your NHS treatment. A cosmetic preference may involve a private option.

Is a Filling the Same as an Implant?

No. A filling repairs an existing tooth, while an implant is part of treatment to replace a missing tooth.

If you are separately researching replacement treatment overseas, HelpForSoul’s guide to dental implants in Hungary discusses that different treatment category. Implant prices should not be used to estimate a routine filling.

Does Paying Privately Guarantee a Better Result?

Price alone cannot establish whether a treatment is right for you. Ask about the diagnosis, proposed material, available alternatives and aftercare. Compare equivalent treatment plans rather than choosing only by price.

Can a Dentist Give an Exact Price Over the Phone?

The practice can explain its fees or provide an indicative range. An examination may be needed to determine the size of the restoration and whether a filling is appropriate.

Should I Wait Until the Tooth Hurts?

No—lack of pain does not establish that a tooth is healthy. The NHS guide to tooth decay explains that decay may initially cause no symptoms. Arrange an assessment if you suspect a cavity or have lost a filling. NHS

When to Get Urgent Help

Seek urgent dental advice if you suspect an abscess, particularly with swelling, fever or significant pain.

Call 999 or go to A&E if you have difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing, or serious swelling affecting your mouth or eye. Follow the NHS dental abscess guidance rather than delaying urgent care while comparing prices. www.nhs.uk

Before booking routine treatment, confirm whether the appointment is NHS or private and request the complete estimate. That gives you a more reliable answer than a headline “filling from” price.