Private dentist prices in the UK, 2026
What practices actually charge, from a survey of over 2,000 UK practices, with the NHS alternative next to each one.
| Treatment | Low | Typical | High | NHS option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Check up (examination) | £23 | £65 | £180 | Band 1, £27.90 |
| Hygienist (scale and polish) | £40 | £83 | £170 | Band 1, £27.90 |
| White (composite) filling | £75 | £150 | £280 | Band 2, £76.60 |
| Tooth extraction (simple) | £90 | £160 | £292 | Band 2, £76.60 |
| Root canal treatment | £179 | £450 | £900 | Band 2, £76.60 |
| Crown | £350 | £720 | £995 | Band 3, £332.10 |
| Single dental implant | £585 | £2,500 | £3,500 | Not on the NHS |
| Veneer (per tooth) | £250 | £614 | £975 | Not on the NHS |
| Composite bonding (per tooth) | £150 | £250 | £350 | Not on the NHS |
| Teeth whitening | £150 | £380 | £696 | Not on the NHS |
| Invisalign / clear aligners | £1,395 | £2,900 | £4,495 | Not on the NHS |
| Dentures | £290 | £750 | £1,593 | Band 3, £332.10 |
| Dental bridge | £350 | £720 | £1,172 | Band 3, £332.10 |
| Emergency appointment (private) | £80 | £200 | £400 | Urgent, £27.90 |
Private figures: national low, median and high from a survey of 2,000+ UK practices (treatcompare.com, March 2026); composite bonding and emergency appointment from dentistcost.co.uk guideline ranges (September 2026). London typically runs 25 to 40% above the median.
Why the ranges are so wide
Location is the biggest factor: London and the south east run 25 to 40% above the national median. After that it is materials (zirconia versus metal crowns, porcelain versus composite veneers), who does the work (a specialist charges more than a general dentist), and what is bundled in. An implant quote may or may not include the scan, the bone graft and the final crown. Always ask for a written treatment plan with a total.
Ways to pay less
- Get the NHS option where one exists. A Band 2 root canal is £76.60; the private median is £450.
- Dental schools. Treatment by supervised students at the UK's dental hospitals is free or heavily reduced, in exchange for longer appointments.
- Membership plans. £15 to £30 a month typically covers two check ups and two hygienist visits plus a discount on treatment.
- Hygienist direct access. You can book a hygienist without seeing a dentist first.
Get quotes before you commit
For implants, veneers, aligners and crowns, prices vary two to three fold between practices for the same treatment. Ask two or three for a written treatment plan with the total cost and what is excluded.
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