Cosmetic, Implant and General Dentistry
Last Updated: October 30, 2026
Quick Summary
NHS dental pricing uses three fixed bands: £27.90 for Band 1, £73.50 for Band 2 and £332.10 for Band 3, while private fees are quoted per treatment and typically run higher, such as £500-£1,200 for a crown. Private fees reflect longer appointments, material choice and laboratory work, so compare quotes like for like.
- NHS charges are a flat fee per band, not per tooth, so one Band 2 course costs the same however many fillings it involves.
- White fillings on back teeth are not routinely available on the NHS, so ask your dentist about private costs first.
- A private quote should itemise consultation, imaging, laboratory costs with the material named, and follow-up appointments.
- Check whether you qualify for free or reduced NHS charges before comparing any private quote.
- Comparing a premium private crown against a Band 3 charge is not like for like and is the most common mistake we see.
Table of Contents
- How NHS Dental Treatment Bands Set the Baseline Price
- What NHS Dental Charges Cover and What They Leave Out
- Private Dentist Costs: Where the Money Actually Goes
- NHS and Private Dental Treatment Side by Side
- What a Private Dental Treatment Plan Includes
- Eligibility, Exemptions and Reduced Charges You Should Check First
- Comparing Quotes and Total Cost Over Time
- Book a Consultation to Get Your Own Written Quote
- Frequently Asked Questions
How NHS Dental Treatment Bands Set the Baseline Price
NHS dental charges are set by the government in three fixed bands, and those bands are the benchmark against which every private quote gets judged. Patients often ask first what a treatment would have cost on the NHS. The answer is simpler than most people expect. The NHS charges a flat fee per band, not per tooth, so one Band 2 course of treatment costs the same whether it involves a single filling or several.
The current band structure, published on the NHS guide to dental treatment costs, is:
| Band | What it covers | NHS charge |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | Examination, diagnosis, scale and polish, preventive advice | £27.90 |
| Band 2 | Everything in Band 1 plus fillings, root canal treatment, extractions | £73.50 |
| Band 3 | Everything in Bands 1 and 2 plus crowns, bridges, dentures | £332.10 |
| Urgent | Urgent or emergency care to relieve pain | £27.90 |
The NHS charge bands are the baseline, but not the full picture of what you pay. You can also view our fees to compare against the NHS band figures.
What NHS Dental Charges Cover and What They Leave Out
NHS dental pricing covers essential treatment: the examination, the filling, the extraction, the denture. White fillings on back teeth, for example, sit outside standard NHS provision in most cases, and the NHS guidance on white fillings advises patients to ask their dentist about private costs, risks and benefits before choosing one.
The gaps that matter most in practice:
- Cosmetic work. Whitening, veneers and many smile improvements are often not covered by NHS provision.
- Material choice. The NHS funds what is clinically necessary, not necessarily what looks best or lasts longest.
- Complexity. A straightforward extraction is covered; a complex surgical case may not be.
None of that makes NHS care poor. It makes it a defined package. Knowing where the package ends is how you read a private quote fairly.
Private Dentist Costs: Where the Money Actually Goes
Private dental costs reflect a different cost base, which can include longer appointments, a choice of materials, and laboratory work.
That is why like-for-like comparisons are harder than they look. A Band 3 charge covers a crown, but not the same crown. To compare honestly, you need a typical private fee for the same procedure, and to check what that fee includes.
Indicative private fee ranges for common treatments
The figures below are indicative ranges, not quotes. Private fees vary by practice, by location and by clinical complexity, and any reputable practice will give you a written, itemised quote before treatment.
| Treatment | NHS charge | Typical private range | What the private fee usually adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination and check-up | £27.90 (Band 1) | £40-£90 | Longer appointment, more detailed diagnostic records, preventive advice |
| Scale and polish | Included in Band 1 | £40-£100 | Extended hygiene appointment, airflow or ultrasonic options |
| Amalgam filling | £73.50 (Band 2) | £90-£180 | , |
| White (composite) filling | Not routinely available on the NHS for back teeth | £90-£250 | Tooth-coloured material, shade matching, longer appointment |
| Root canal treatment (molar) | £73.50 (Band 2) | £350-£800 | Rotary endodontics, magnification, longer chair time |
| Extraction | £73.50 (Band 2) | £90-£250 | Surgical options, sedation where needed |
| Crown | £332.10 (Band 3) | £500-£1,200 | Private laboratory, material choice (e.g. zirconia, e.max), longer fitting |
| Bridge (three-unit) | £332.10 (Band 3) | £1,200-£2,500 | Laboratory work, material choice, design complexity |
| Denture (partial) | £332.10 (Band 3) | £600-£1,500 | Private laboratory, better fit and aesthetics, try-in stages |
| Implant (single) | Not routinely available on the NHS | £2,000-£3,500 | Implant component, surgical placement, crown, follow-up |
A private fee depends on the tooth, the material, the clinician’s time and the laboratory used, so a single headline price is a starting point for a conversation rather than a comparison.
Why private fees vary so much
Three factors drive most of the variation you will see between quotes:
- Location and overheads. Practice running costs and local demand can differ between practices.
- Clinician time and skill. Private appointments may be longer, and you are paying for clinician time and expertise as well as the procedure.
- Materials and laboratory. A private crown can be made from a range of materials, each with a different laboratory cost. A quote should name the material used, so ask if it does not.
What a private quote should itemise
A private treatment plan is not a single number. It should break down:
- Consultation and diagnostic imaging (x-rays, photographs, scans)
- The clinical procedure itself, per tooth or per unit
- Laboratory or technician costs, with the material named
If a practice will not put that breakdown in writing before you commit, you cannot compare its quote to an NHS band charge, or to another private quote.
When you compare a private quote to an NHS band charge, check whether the private fee includes the consultation and x-rays. A £600 crown quote that excludes the £80 examination is not the same as a £600 all-in quote.
NHS and Private Dental Treatment Side by Side
The honest comparison is not cost against cost. It is cost against what you get. NHS dentistry prioritises essential treatment at a fixed, subsidised price.
| Factor | NHS | Private |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Fixed band charge | Quote per treatment plan |
| Waiting time | Variable, often long for routine care | Usually short |
| Appointment length | Shorter | Longer, planned |
| Material choice | Limited to clinical need | Wider range |
| Cosmetic treatment | Rarely available | Routinely available |
| Continuity | Not guaranteed | Usually same clinician |
Waiting times are the factor patients raise most. Bupa’s comparison of NHS and private dentistry notes that private dentists may offer quicker access, and that is often the real reason someone switches rather than the price itself.
What a Private Dental Treatment Plan Includes
A private dental treatment plan is a written document setting out every procedure recommended, the material for each, the sequence, and the cost of each stage. It is what makes private vs NHS dental pricing comparable at all.
A proper plan should state:
- Diagnosis, with imaging where relevant
- Each treatment, itemised, not bundled
- Materials, named, with alternatives and their cost difference
- Stages and appointments, with time estimates
- Total cost, and what happens if a stage changes
- Payment terms, including any monthly plan
You can browse our treatments before you book. If a practice will not put the plan in writing, walk away. That is the one red flag that matters.
Eligibility, Exemptions and Reduced Charges You Should Check First
Before comparing any private quote, check whether you qualify for free or reduced NHS charges. The NHS help with health costs guidance sets out the full criteria, and you should check it directly rather than rely on memory.
Groups who commonly qualify include people receiving certain benefits, those on low incomes, pregnant patients and those who have given birth recently, and some patients under 18 or in full-time education. The NHS Business Services Authority administers these schemes and publishes the current criteria.
If you qualify for free NHS care, the cost comparison changes accordingly. Check first. It takes ten minutes and could change the whole calculation.
Comparing Quotes and Total Cost Over Time
A single treatment price tells you only part of the picture, and total cost over time matters. A cheaper restoration that needs replacing sooner can cost more over time than a longer-lasting one.
A worked comparison: one crown over ten years
Take a single molar crown. On the NHS, a crown falls under a band charge set by the NHS, and a private crown is quoted by the practice depending on the material and the practice.
On price alone, the NHS crown is cheaper. But the comparison is not finished. Ask:
- What material is used? Crown materials differ in wear and appearance, so ask which material is proposed and why.
- What is the expected lifespan? A crown’s lifespan depends on material, bite forces and hygiene. A private quote should state the material and any guarantee.
- What happens if it fails? Ask any practice whether it offers a replacement guarantee and for how long.
Over ten years, either option may need replacement at a future cost that is unknown today. The point is not that one is always cheaper, it is that the headline fee is only the first line of the calculation.
The total-cost checklist
When you compare two quotes for the same treatment, line them up on these points:
- Material. Is the material the same, or are you comparing a private crown to an NHS one? Ask for the material name in writing.
- Inclusions. Does the quote include the consultation, imaging and follow-up? A quote that excludes the examination is not comparable to an all-in quote.
- Guarantee and replacement policy. What happens if the work fails, and within what period? Get this in writing.
- Maintenance. What preventive care, hygiene appointments or reviews are recommended, and what do they cost per year?
- Payment plan. Is there a monthly plan, what does it cover, and what is the total cost over the term compared with paying upfront?
- Likely replacement horizon. Ask how long the clinician expects the work to last, and what replacement would cost at today’s fees.
Comparing a private quote for a premium material against a Band 3 charge is not a like-for-like comparison, and it is the most common mistake we see. If the private quote is for a zirconia crown and the NHS charge is for a standard crown, you are comparing two different treatments. Compare material to material, inclusion to inclusion.
Questions to ask before you commit
A short script for the appointment:
- Can I have the treatment plan in writing, itemised, before I decide?
- Which material are you recommending, and what are the alternatives and their costs?
- What is included in the fee, consultation, x-rays, follow-up, adjustments?
Compare like with like, and count the total cost, not the first invoice. If you are weighing providers, see our guide on how to choose between Maple Dental and Bupa Dental.
Book a Consultation to Get Your Own Written Quote
The only private vs NHS dental pricing figure that matters is the one written on your own treatment plan. NHS band charges are fixed and public.
At U Smile Dental, we have been treating patients from our Luton practice since 2009, and we are CQC registered.
Get your own written quote: visit our contact page to book a consultation, and bring any previous treatment plan with you so we can compare like for like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is private dental treatment more expensive than NHS treatment?
Usually yes, but not always by as much as people assume. An NHS course of treatment is capped by the band system, so a straightforward check-up or a single filling is almost always cheaper on the NHS. Private fees are set by each practice, and a quote should reflect the materials, lab work and time involved. Always ask for a written quote and compare it against the relevant NHS band before deciding.
Can I have some dental treatment on the NHS and other treatment privately?
Yes, mixed care is common. You might have routine examinations and essential treatment on the NHS and pay privately for cosmetic work such as whitening or veneers, which the NHS does not routinely provide. Some practices offer both routes under one roof; others are purely private. Ask the practice before booking how it handles mixed care, because it affects how your treatment plan and charges are structured, and check whether NHS appointments are available at that practice at all.
How do NHS dental charges compare with private dentist fees?
NHS charges are set nationally, so check the NHS website for the current band charges. Private dentist costs vary by practice, by treatment and by the materials used, so there is no single national figure. To compare fairly, ask for the private fee for the exact treatment you need and match it to the NHS band that would cover the same work.
Why do private dental prices vary between practices?
Private fees can reflect costs such as laboratory charges, the materials used and the time allocated to appointments. That is why two quotes for the same tooth can differ substantially. Compare what is included, not just the headline figure: ask about the material, the lab, the number of appointments and what happens if a repair is needed.
Can I switch from an NHS dentist to a private dentist?
Yes. Check with the new practice whether it accepts new patients and what it charges for an initial consultation. Before switching, ask the new practice for a written treatment plan and fee estimate, and check whether it offers payment plans or monthly options to spread the cost of larger restorative work.
Comparing dental quotes is not difficult once you know what to look for: itemised treatment, named materials, and total cost over a realistic timeframe. What makes it hard is doing it without a written plan in front of you. U Smile Dental provides written treatment plans, digital x-ray diagnostics and multilingual appointments, so you can compare your options on facts rather than estimates. Get started with U Smile Dental and book a consultation for a written quote you can actually compare.
