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: £27.90
- 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
Band 2: £76.60
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
Band 3: £332.10
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
- 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.
Urgent dental treatment: £27.90
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
- 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
You may need further dental treatment after your urgent appointment, which may have additional costs.
