How Much Does a Filling Cost on the NHS? White vs Silver Fillings

One filling or five, the NHS Band 2 charge is the same: £76.60 in England. Here is what is included, when white fillings are offered, and who pays nothing.

Updated · 5 min read

Illustration of a tooth with a small filling, a dental drill and a price tag

A filling on the NHS in England costs £76.60, because fillings are a Band 2 treatment. That one charge covers every filling you need in the same course of treatment, plus your check-up and X-rays. An urgent filling at an emergency appointment is cheaper, at £27.90, and some people get all NHS dental treatment free.

What the £76.60 covers

The NHS dental charges page puts fillings in Band 2. Band 2 includes everything in Band 1, plus treatments such as:

  • fillings
  • root canal treatment
  • removing teeth
  • sealants to fill small holes or grooves

You pay the Band 2 charge once for the whole course. If you need three fillings and a scale and polish, you still pay £76.60 in total.

If the same course also includes a crown or dentures, you pay only the Band 3 charge (£332.10), not both.

Urgent fillings

If you go to an urgent or emergency appointment, one urgent filling is included in the urgent treatment charge of £27.90. A temporary dressing to protect a tooth is also included.

The NHS website is clear that routine, non-urgent fillings are Band 2. So if you need more fillings after an urgent appointment, they are charged as a new course.

White or silver filling?

Both types are available on the NHS when clinically appropriate.

  • White fillings are tooth-coloured. The NHS website says that if you need a filling in a front tooth, you may be given a white filling.
  • Silver-coloured (amalgam) fillings are often used on back teeth, where the NHS website notes they may be the more effective option because they withstand chewing forces well.

Your dentist should explain your options. If you would prefer a white filling on a back tooth where an amalgam filling is clinically appropriate, your dentist can explain the private cost and the risks and benefits.

Who pays nothing

NHS fillings are free if you are:

  • under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education
  • pregnant or have had a baby or stillbirth in the last 12 months
  • getting certain benefits, or your partner is, such as income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit or Universal Credit below an income limit

See the NHS website for the full rules. The NHS Low Income Scheme can help with part of the cost if you are on a low income.

What happens when you have a filling

Your dentist usually numbs the area with a local anaesthetic, removes the decay, and fills the hole. Most fillings are done in a single appointment, though you may need a separate visit after your check-up. The numbness wears off after a few hours, so take care not to bite your cheek or drink very hot drinks until it does.

For Band 2 treatment, you should be given a written treatment plan showing what you will have and the cost before treatment starts.

If a filling falls out or breaks

A lost or broken filling is one of the reasons the NHS website gives for asking for an urgent dental appointment or calling 111, especially if you are in pain. A pharmacist can advise on pain relief while you wait.

If you need further treatment within 2 months of finishing a course, you do not pay again for treatment in the same or a lower band. After 2 months, a new filling is a new course.

Filling or something else?

If a cavity is very large, your dentist may suggest a crown, which is Band 3, or root canal treatment, which is Band 2. If a tooth cannot be saved, it may need to be removed. Ask your dentist why they recommend a particular treatment and what the alternatives cost. Our guides to the cost of NHS crowns and NHS dental treatment costs explain the other bands.

Preventing the next filling

Most fillings are needed because of tooth decay. To lower your risk:

  • brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
  • cut down on sugary food and drinks, especially between meals
  • go for check-ups as often as your dentist recommends

Fillings and root canal treatment

If decay has reached the centre of the tooth, you may need root canal treatment as well as a filling. The NHS website explains that root canal treatment tackles infection in the pulp of the tooth, and that without it the tooth may need to be taken out. Treatment usually takes a few visits, and the tooth is then sealed with a filling or a crown.

Root canal treatment is also Band 2, so if you need it alongside fillings in the same course, you still pay £76.60 in total. If the tooth then needs a crown, the course is charged at Band 3.

Get your treatment plan in writing

For Band 2 treatment, your dentist has to give you a written treatment plan setting out what they propose and what it will cost. You are asked to sign it and given a copy. The NHS website says the dentist should tell you about any changes to the plan, and any changes should be discussed and agreed with you. You can also tell your dentist if you want to stop a certain treatment.

If your plan includes private options, such as a white filling on a back tooth, they should be shown separately with their costs.

Filling cost questions

Is it cheaper to have one filling at a time?

No. Spreading fillings across separate courses means paying the Band 2 charge each time. Having them in one course is cheaper.

Do children pay for fillings?

No. NHS dental treatment is free for under-18s.

Sources

Checked on 14 October 2026:

This guide explains the general rules for staff in England using 2026/27 figures. It is not financial advice. Your employer, payslip or NHS Pensions statement has the final word on your own pay.

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