How much NHS dental treatment costs

NHS dental treatment costs

If you pay for NHS dental treatment, the cost depends on what treatment the dental healthcare professional thinks you need.

The dental professional should tell you how much it will cost before they start any treatment.

Dental treatments are grouped into 3 bands, and each band has a different cost.

If you need a mix of treatments from different bands, you’ll pay for the cost of the highest band of treatment you’re having.

If you need a mix of treatments from the same band, you’ll only pay the band charge once.

Band 1: £26.80

Band 1 can include:

• examination, assessment and advice (a routine dental appointment)
• X-rays, if clinically needed
• putting fluoride on the surface of your teeth
• simple management of gum disease, such as scaling (a thorough clean of your teeth and gums), if clinically needed
• moulds of your teeth, for example to see how your teeth bite together
• minimal adjustments to false teeth (dentures) or orthodontic appliances, such as braces – for example, smoothing rough parts or tightening clasps

Gum treatment including scaling

If your dental healthcare professional says scaling is clinically needed, you can get it on the NHS. It can be done by a hygienist or dental therapist.

Scaling is usually included in Band 1 (£26.80), but extensive treatment, or treatment for complex gum problems may be charged as a Band 2 (£73.50) treatment.

If the dentist says scaling is not clinically necessary, you’ll have to pay for it privately.

Band 2: £73.50

Band 2 treatment includes all items in Band 1, plus it may include:

• fillings
• root canal treatment to treat an infection or inflammation in the centre of your tooth
• removing teeth (extraction) and other oral surgery procedures
• sealant to fill small holes or grooves in your teeth
• adding to your false teeth (dentures), such as adding a clasp or a tooth, or making extensive adjustments, such as relining and rebasing
• a bite-raising appliance to correct your bite (does not include a laboratory-made appliance)
• extensive management of gum disease

White fillings

White fillings are available on the NHS when clinically necessary. For example, if you need a filling in your front teeth, you may be given a white filling.

If the filling is needed in one of your back teeth, a more effective option may be a silver-coloured (amalgam) filling.

Your dentist should explain your options to you. If you’d prefer a white filling, your dentist will be able to advise you about private costs and the risks and benefits.

Root canal treatment

Your dentist should be able to provide root canal treatment, but if you need more complex treatment, they may refer you to another service.

You may be offered the option to get root canal treatment privately as an alternative to getting it on the NHS.

It’s your choice whether you have private treatment or be referred to an NHS specialist service, where available.

Wisdom tooth removal

Wisdom teeth can be removed on the NHS when clinically necessary.

Your dentist may be able to remove them or may refer you to a specialist service.

You may also choose to be referred for private wisdom tooth removal.

Find out more about wisdom tooth removal.

Band 3: £319.10

Band 3 treatment includes all items in Bands 1 and 2, plus it may include:

• a type of cap that covers your real tooth (crown)
• restoring damaged teeth with inlays and onlays
• false teeth (dentures) made from plastic or metal
• a fixed replacement for a missing tooth or teeth (bridge)
• orthodontic treatment, such as braces, to improve the appearance, position and function of your teeth
• other custom-made appliances, not including sports guards

Crowns and bridges

You may be offered a metal-coloured crown on a back tooth.

You could discuss alternative options which may be available privately with your dentist, as well as the risks, benefits and costs.

Crowns may need to be replaced in the future.

Orthodontics

Your dentist or orthodontist will decide if you need orthodontic treatment using a standard assessment method. If orthodontic treatment is clinically necessary, you can get it on the NHS.

Your dentist or orthodontist will be able to discuss alternative options if you or your child are not eligible for NHS-funded orthodontic treatment.

Urgent dental treatment: £26.80

You may have urgent treatment at an urgent or emergency dental appointment.

Urgent treatment can include:

• examination, assessment and advice
• X-rays
• dressing of teeth (a temporary filling)
• emergency partial root canal treatment, for example, pulpectomy or vital pulpotomy
• management of a knocked-out tooth or any necessary treatment needed for an injury
• refixing inlays, crowns and bridges
• removing up to 2 teeth
• aftercare, including treatment for infections
• adjustment and alteration of false teeth (dentures) or orthodontic appliances, such as braces
• urgent treatment for severe conditions that come on suddenly, such as ulcers and herpetic lesions
• treatment of sensitive teeth which affects parts of the tooth called the cementum or dentine
• draining a dental abscess and treating any infection
• 1 urgent filling (routine and non-urgent fillings are a band 2 treatment)

You may need further dental treatment after your urgent appointment, which may have additional costs.

Cost of further treatment

If you have dental treatment but need further treatment within 2 months, you do not have to pay extra if the further treatment is included in the same band, or a lower band.

If you need further treatment in a higher band, you'll have to pay the higher band fee.

You’ll have to pay for any further treatment after 2 months has passed.

Dental treatments available for free

You do not need to pay if:

• you're having stitches removed
• your dentist has to stop bleeding from your mouth – for example, after a tooth extraction
• your false teeth (dentures) need to be repaired – but if they cannot be repaired you'll have to pay for new ones