Updated 17 April 2026
NHS vs Private Dentist: 2026 Cost and Quality Comparison
NHS is almost always cheaper. Private offers more choice and usually shorter waits. Here is the honest comparison so you can decide which makes sense for your situation.
When NHS is the right choice
- Routine check-ups and preventive care
- Fillings, extractions, root canals
- Dentures for basic function
- Under-18s: always NHS where possible
- When cost is the primary concern
- When you qualify for free treatment
When private is worth considering
- Cosmetic work (whitening, veneers, aligners)
- Dental implants (almost never NHS)
- Premium crown or bridge materials
- Same-week appointments
- Longer appointment times for complex work
- If you cannot find an NHS dentist
Full cost comparison (April 2026)
| Treatment | NHS charge | Private range |
|---|---|---|
| Check-up and X-rays | £27.90 (Band 1) | £50-120 |
| Scale and polish (clinically necessary) | Included in Band 1 | £40-80 (separate) |
| Single white filling (front tooth) | £76.60 (Band 2) | £80-180 |
| Single filling (back tooth, white) | £76.60 (Band 2) | £120-250 |
| Root canal (front tooth) | £76.60 (Band 2) | £300-600 |
| Root canal (molar) | £76.60 (Band 2) | £500-800 |
| Simple extraction | £76.60 (Band 2) | £100-250 |
| Multiple fillings (same course) | £76.60 (Band 2) | £160-600+ |
| Crown (porcelain fused to metal) | £332.10 (Band 3) | £500-1,200 |
| Crown (all-zirconia/all-ceramic) | £332.10 (Band 3) | £700-1,500 |
| Bridge (3-unit) | £332.10 (Band 3) | £900-2,500 |
| Full dentures | £332.10 (Band 3) | £500-2,500 |
| Fixed braces | £332.10 (under-18 free) | £1,500-3,000 |
| Clear aligners (Invisalign etc.) | Not available | £2,000-6,000 |
| Dental implant | Rarely available | £1,500-3,500 |
| Cosmetic whitening | Not available | £300-700 |
Private ranges from Bupa Dental Care, MyDentist, and Portman Dental Care published price lists (April 2026). Actual charges vary by practice and location.
Key differences explained
Materials
NHS fillings on back teeth may use amalgam; private dentists typically use white composite as standard for all teeth. NHS crowns are usually porcelain fused to metal; private may offer all-ceramic or zirconia. For front teeth and structural soundness, NHS materials are clinically equivalent.
Appointment length
NHS appointments are typically 15-25 minutes. Private appointments are often 30-45 minutes, allowing more time for discussion, photographs, and treatment planning. This is a genuine quality-of-experience difference.
Waiting times
NHS check-up waits: typically 4-12 weeks. Private: often same week. NHS treatment (after check-up): can be 2-8 weeks. Private: typically within 2 weeks. The difference is significant if you have ongoing dental needs.
What is and is not available on NHS
NHS covers all clinically necessary treatment. Private-only services include dental implants (for most patients), cosmetic whitening, clear aligners, veneers for purely cosmetic reasons, and premium materials beyond the clinical requirement.