White Filling — UK price comparison
What a white (composite) filling costs in the UK: typical private prices £90–£300 per tooth, NHS Band 2 £75.30 in England, and when white fillings are used.
Prices checked: 13 July 2026· Indicative private treatment prices, not quotes
At a glance
- Typical private UK cost: £90–£300 per tooth
- NHS England: Band 2 £75.30 covers all fillings in one course (2025/26)
- NHS Wales Band 2: £60; Scotland & NI: 80% of item cost, capped at £384 per course
- Price rises with size, position, and cosmetic layering time
- NHS uses the clinically appropriate material — often amalgam on back teeth
- Only GDC-registered professionals may place fillings
Typical private cost
£90 – £300 per tooth; larger back-tooth and layered cosmetic restorations at the upper end
per tooth; larger back-tooth and layered cosmetic restorations at the upper end
Compare White Filling providers
Providers listed here are UK dental practices or online dental providers. Prices are the provider's own published figures where we have verified them — otherwise check the practice directly. Treatment is always subject to clinical assessment.
We have not yet verified live provider prices for this treatment. Use the typical range above and compare practices near you, or check back as more profiles are claimed.
The Local Dentist is an independent comparison service and not a dental practice. Where a listing is a referral partner we may earn a commission when you visit them — this never changes prices you pay, ratings, or the order providers appear. Affiliate links use rel="sponsored" and are labelled “Ad – Affiliate”. See our methodology.
What the private price covers
A white filling uses tooth-coloured composite resin bonded into a prepared cavity after decay or damaged material is removed, then shaped and polished to restore the bite. The typical £90–£300 private range is per tooth: small front-tooth repairs sit at the lower end; large multi-surface molar restorations and carefully layered cosmetic work sit at the upper. Quotes should say whether the examination and X-rays are included or billed separately. These figures are indicative market ranges from editorial research — not a quote. Always ask for a written treatment plan before agreeing to private work.
NHS fillings and white vs amalgam
On the NHS in England, fillings are Band 2 — £75.30 for the whole course of treatment in 2025/26, including any exam and X-rays in that course, however many fillings you need. Wales charges £60 for the equivalent band; Scotland and Northern Ireland use item-of-service charging at 80% of the item cost up to a £384 course cap. The NHS provides the clinically appropriate material: white fillings are common on front teeth; back teeth are often restored with amalgam. Wanting white on a molar purely for appearance is usually a private choice, and the dentist must set out the NHS alternative and both prices on your plan — never an NHS band plus a private top-up for the same item.
How long fillings last and when they fail
Composite fillings typically last several years; lifespan depends on size, bite forces, grinding, sugar frequency, and how well you clean around the margins. Sensitivity after placement is common for a short period; ongoing pain, a rough edge, or food packing should prompt a review. Fillings do not make a tooth immortal — further decay or cracks can mean a larger filling, onlay, crown, or root canal later. Catching decay early at a check-up is almost always cheaper than waiting for toothache. Speak to a dentist if a filling feels high, cracks, or the tooth starts to ache.
Choosing and comparing
Compare per-tooth private prices and what is included, not headline 'from' figures alone. If you have NHS access and several teeth need restoring, the single Band 2 charge can be far lower than stacking private fees. If you are exempt (under 18, pregnancy/maternity with MatEx, HC2, qualifying benefits), NHS fillings are free. Being over 60 does not make dentistry free. Our private treatment cost calculator can total indicative ranges across multiple teeth — then confirm with the practice that will treat you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a white filling cost privately?▼
Typically £90–£300 per tooth in the UK. Small front-tooth repairs cost less; large back-tooth restorations cost more. Ask for a written per-tooth price — these ranges are indicative, not quotes.
How much is a filling on the NHS?▼
Band 2 in England: £75.30 for the whole course in 2025/26, however many fillings it includes. Wales £60. Scotland and NI charge per item at 80% up to £384 per course.
Can I get a white filling on a back tooth on the NHS?▼
Sometimes, when it is clinically appropriate. Often the NHS option on molars is amalgam; a white alternative may be offered privately. Your dentist must explain both options on a written plan.
Do white fillings stain?▼
They can pick up surface stain over time, especially at the edges — a hygienist polish helps. Avoid assuming whitening will match an old filling afterwards; restorations do not bleach like natural enamel.
Is a filling the same as composite bonding?▼
Same family of materials, different purpose. Fillings restore decayed or damaged teeth; cosmetic bonding reshapes healthy teeth for appearance. Bonding done purely for cosmetics is private and not an NHS filling.
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