TL;DR
As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, we at WeCovr know that navigating healthcare costs can be confusing. This expert guide demystifies the cost of private dental care, explaining how options like private medical insurance in the UK can contribute. Up-to-date UK pricing for private dental treatments, including check-ups, crowns, implants and cosmetic dentistry Understanding the landscape of private dental fees is the first step towards making an informed decision about your oral health.
Key takeaways
- Immediate Access: Say goodbye to long waiting lists. Private clinics can typically offer appointments within days, not months, which is crucial for painful or urgent problems.
- Greater Choice: The NHS provides treatments that are clinically necessary. The private sector offers a much wider array of options, particularly in restorative and cosmetic dentistry, using the latest materials and techniques.
- Time and Flexibility: Private appointments are often longer, allowing for a more thorough consultation. Dentists can also offer more flexible scheduling, including evening and weekend slots to fit around your work and life commitments.
- Advanced Technology: Private practices often invest heavily in state-of-the-art equipment like 3D imaging scanners, intraoral cameras, and laser technology, which can lead to more precise diagnoses and comfortable treatments.
- Focus on Prevention: Many private dentists place a strong emphasis on preventive care, working with you to create a long-term plan to maintain your oral health and minimise the need for future treatment.
As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange over 900,000 policies, we at WeCovr know that navigating healthcare costs can be confusing. This expert guide demystifies the cost of private dental care, explaining how options like private medical insurance in the UK can contribute.
Up-to-date UK pricing for private dental treatments, including check-ups, crowns, implants and cosmetic dentistry
Understanding the landscape of private dental fees is the first step towards making an informed decision about your oral health. Prices are not standardised and can vary dramatically, but this guide provides a solid, well-researched foundation for what you can expect to pay in 2026. We will break down the costs of everything from a routine check-up to a full set of dental implants.
Why Consider Private Dental Treatment in the UK?
For decades, the NHS has been the backbone of UK dentistry. However, recent years have seen unprecedented challenges. A 2023 report from the British Dental Association (BDA) highlighted that 9 in 10 NHS practices across the UK were not accepting new adult patients. This "dental desert" has left millions struggling to access even basic care.
This is where the private sector steps in. Choosing private dental care offers several compelling advantages:
- Immediate Access: Say goodbye to long waiting lists. Private clinics can typically offer appointments within days, not months, which is crucial for painful or urgent problems.
- Greater Choice: The NHS provides treatments that are clinically necessary. The private sector offers a much wider array of options, particularly in restorative and cosmetic dentistry, using the latest materials and techniques.
- Time and Flexibility: Private appointments are often longer, allowing for a more thorough consultation. Dentists can also offer more flexible scheduling, including evening and weekend slots to fit around your work and life commitments.
- Advanced Technology: Private practices often invest heavily in state-of-the-art equipment like 3D imaging scanners, intraoral cameras, and laser technology, which can lead to more precise diagnoses and comfortable treatments.
- Focus on Prevention: Many private dentists place a strong emphasis on preventive care, working with you to create a long-term plan to maintain your oral health and minimise the need for future treatment.
While the NHS remains a vital service, the private route offers a patient-centric experience focused on speed, choice, and cutting-edge care.
Understanding Private Dental Fee Structures
When you go private, you'll encounter a few different ways of paying for your treatment. It's important to understand these models to choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
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Pay-As-You-Go: This is the most straightforward model. You simply pay for each item of your treatment as you receive it. You'll pay a fee for your check-up, another for a filling, and so on. This is ideal for people who only need occasional dental care or want maximum flexibility without being tied into a monthly plan.
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Dental Payment Plans: These are monthly membership plans offered by the dental practice itself, often administered by third-party companies like Denplan or Practice Plan. For a fixed monthly fee (e.g., £15-£30), these plans typically cover your routine care, such as:
- Two check-ups per year.
- Two hygienist appointments per year.
- Necessary X-rays.
- They also usually provide a discount (e.g., 10-20%) on any restorative treatments you might need, like crowns or fillings.
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Dental Insurance: This works differently from a payment plan. It's an insurance policy, either purchased as a standalone product or as an add-on to a
private health coverpolicy. You pay a monthly premium, and the policy reimburses you for the cost of your dental treatments, up to an annual limit. We'll explore this in more detail later.
Average Private Dental Treatment Costs in the UK (2026 Price Guide)
Here we present our projected average costs for a wide range of private dental treatments in the UK for 2026.
Important Disclaimer: These figures are estimated averages based on current 2024 prices and projected inflation. The actual cost you pay will vary significantly based on your location (central London clinics can be 30-50% more expensive than those in the North of England), the complexity of your treatment, and the specific clinic's expertise and reputation. Always get a detailed, written quotation before starting any treatment.
Routine and Preventive Care Costs
This category covers the essential maintenance needed to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Regular attendance is the best investment you can make in your long-term oral health.
| Treatment | Average UK Cost Range (2026 Estimate) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Patient Consultation | £80 – £150 | Often includes a full mouth examination, X-rays, and a treatment plan. |
| Routine Check-up | £55 – £95 | A standard examination for existing patients. |
| Scale and Polish (Hygienist) | £70 – £130 | Price varies based on appointment length (e.g., 30 or 60 minutes). |
| Small X-ray (per film) | £15 – £25 | Used to check individual teeth for decay or abscesses. |
| Panoramic X-ray (OPG) | £70 – £110 | Provides a complete overview of your upper and lower jaws. |
Restorative Dentistry Costs
Restorative treatments are designed to repair damaged teeth, restoring their function and appearance. This is where costs can begin to climb significantly.
| Treatment | Average UK Cost Range (2026 Estimate) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| White Filling (Composite) | £120 – £350 | Price depends on the size and position of the filling. |
| Amalgam (Silver) Filling | £90 – £200 | Less common in private practice but still an option. |
| Root Canal Treatment | £450 – £1,200+ | Cost depends on the tooth: Incisors (front) are cheaper than Molars (back). |
| Crown | £700 – £1,500 | Porcelain-bonded-to-metal is cheaper; All-ceramic/Zirconia is more aesthetic and expensive. |
| Bridge (per unit) | £600 – £1,200 | A 3-tooth bridge would involve three "units," so £1,800-£3,600. |
| Partial Denture | £500 – £1,800 | Acrylic is cheaper; flexible or metal-based dentures are more expensive. |
| Full Denture (Upper & Lower) | £1,500 – £4,000 | Higher-end dentures offer a much better fit and more natural look. |
Surgical and Advanced Procedures
These procedures, often involving tooth removal or replacement, are typically carried out by experienced dentists or oral surgeons.
| Treatment | Average UK Cost Range (2026 Estimate) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Extraction | £120 – £250 | A straightforward removal of a tooth that is fully erupted. |
| Surgical Extraction | £250 – £550 | For impacted teeth (like wisdom teeth) or those broken at the gum line. |
| Single Dental Implant | £2,500 – £4,000 | This is an all-inclusive price for the implant, abutment, and final crown. |
| Bone Graft | £400 – £900 | Sometimes required to build up the jawbone before an implant can be placed. |
Cosmetic Dentistry Price Guide
Cosmetic treatments are focused purely on improving the appearance of your smile. They are almost never available on the NHS and are rarely covered by insurance.
| Treatment | Average UK Cost Range (2026 Estimate) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Teeth Whitening | £350 – £750 | In-chair 'laser' whitening is at the top end; custom take-home kits are cheaper. |
| Porcelain Veneer (per tooth) | £800 – £1,500 | A thin layer of porcelain bonded to the front of the tooth. |
| Composite Veneer (per tooth) | £300 – £650 | Applied directly in the chair; less durable than porcelain but more affordable. |
| Invisalign / Clear Aligners | £2,500 – £5,500 | Price depends on the complexity of the case (e.g., 'Lite' vs. 'Full' treatment). |
NHS vs. Private Dental Costs: A Head-to-Head Comparison
To put the private costs into perspective, it's helpful to compare them against the NHS dental charging bands in England (prices for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland differ).
| Treatment Type | NHS Charge Band (England, 2025/26 est.) | Typical Private Cost (2026 est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Check-up, X-rays, Scale & Polish | Band 1: ~£26.80 | £140 – £250 |
| Fillings, Root Canal, Extractions | Band 2: ~£73.50 | £120 – £1,200+ |
| Crowns, Bridges, Dentures | Band 3: ~£319.10 | £700 – £4,000+ |
As you can see, for simple check-ups, the NHS offers unbeatable value. However, for more complex treatments like a root canal or crown, the single Band 2 or 3 charge covers the entire course of treatment. Privately, the costs are significantly higher but come with the benefits of faster access, wider material choice (e.g., a high-strength Zirconia crown vs. a standard NHS one), and more dedicated appointment time.
How Can Private Medical Insurance Help with Dental Costs?
This is a common point of confusion, so let's be crystal clear. Standard private medical insurance UK policies are designed to cover the diagnosis and treatment of acute conditions that arise after you take out your policy. An acute condition is a disease, illness or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment.
Crucially, standard PMI does not cover:
- Routine check-ups and maintenance (dental or optical).
- Cosmetic procedures.
- Chronic conditions (illnesses that need long-term management, like diabetes or asthma).
- Pre-existing conditions (any ailment you had symptoms of or received treatment for before your policy began).
Therefore, your core private health cover will not pay for a filling, a crown, or teeth whitening.
However, most major insurers offer optional dental and optical add-ons for an extra monthly premium. These work like a cashback benefit. They don't pay for the treatment directly, but they allow you to claim back a portion of the costs, up to a set annual limit.
A typical dental add-on might be structured like this:
- Level 1 (Routine): Up to £150 per year for check-ups, hygienist visits, and X-rays.
- Level 2 (Restorative): Up to £400 per year for fillings, crowns, and root canals.
- Level 3 (Emergencies): Cover for emergency dental treatment needed to alleviate pain.
- Level 4 (Injuries): Cover for dental work required as a result of an accident (e.g., a fall).
These add-ons can be a cost-effective way to manage predictable dental expenses. An expert PMI broker like WeCovr can help you compare these options from the best PMI providers to see if one fits your needs.
Are Standalone Dental Insurance Plans a Good Idea?
If you don't have private medical insurance, or if your PMI provider's add-on doesn't seem suitable, a standalone dental insurance plan is another option. These are specialist policies focused solely on dental care.
Pros:
- Can offer higher annual limits for restorative work than some PMI add-ons.
- Some policies may cover certain pre-existing conditions after an initial waiting period.
- Tiered plans allow you to choose your level of cover.
Cons:
- Premiums can be £15-£50 per month, which can add up to £600 a year.
- There are always waiting periods (e.g., 3-6 months) for major treatments like crowns or bridges.
- Cosmetic dentistry is almost always excluded.
- Annual limits still apply. If you need extensive work costing several thousand pounds, you will still face a significant shortfall.
For many people, especially those who look after their teeth, simply saving the money you would have spent on premiums into a "dental fund" can be a more effective strategy.
Factors That Influence the Cost of Your Private Dental Treatment
- Location, Location, Location: A practice in Knightsbridge, London will have far higher overheads than one in a small town in Yorkshire, and their prices will reflect that.
- The Dentist's Expertise: A general dentist will charge less than a specialist. If you need a complex root canal, you may be referred to an Endodontist; for gum issues, a Periodontist. Their advanced training and focus command higher fees.
- Materials and Labs: The difference between a standard porcelain-fused-to-metal crown and a premium, artistically crafted E-max or Zirconia crown is significant. The quality of the dental laboratory the practice uses also plays a huge role in the final cost and quality.
- Technology: Clinics that have invested in CEREC machines (for same-day crowns), 3D CBCT scanners (for implant planning), and digital workflows will often factor these costs into their pricing.
- Time: A complex procedure that requires multiple long appointments will naturally cost more than a quick, simple one.
Tips for Managing Private Dental Costs
Worried about the cost? Here are some practical ways to keep your dental bills manageable.
- Prevention is the Best Cure: This isn't just a cliché. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, limiting sugary snacks and drinks, and attending regular hygienist appointments will drastically reduce your risk of needing expensive treatment.
- Get a Written Treatment Plan: Before you agree to any major work, ask your dentist for a detailed, itemised plan. It should list every procedure and its cost. Don't be afraid to ask questions about why each step is necessary.
- Shop Around (for Major Work): For big-ticket items like dental implants, veneers, or bridges, it can be worth getting a consultation and quote from two or three different practices.
- Consider Practice Plans: If you are a regular attender, a monthly payment plan can be a great way to budget for your routine care and get a handy discount on other treatments.
- Look into 0% Finance: Most private practices offer finance options that allow you to spread the cost of larger treatment plans over 12, 24, or even 36 months, often with 0% interest.
- Optimise Your Health and Lifestyle: At WeCovr, we believe in a holistic view of health. Good diet and lifestyle choices have a direct impact on your oral health. That's why WeCovr clients get complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. By monitoring your sugar intake, you can actively reduce your risk of tooth decay. Furthermore, when you take out a policy with us, you can often get discounts on other types of cover, like life or income protection insurance.
Can I get private dental treatment covered by my standard private medical insurance?
Is private dental care worth the cost compared to the NHS?
How much does a full set of dental implants cost in the UK?
Does private health cover pay for cosmetic dentistry like teeth whitening?
Navigating the world of dental costs and insurance can be a challenge, but you don't have to do it alone. By understanding the options available, from pay-as-you-go to comprehensive private medical insurance UK with a dental add-on, you can make the best choice for your health and your wallet.
Ready to explore your options for health and dental cover? Get a free, no-obligation quote from WeCovr today and let our FCA-authorised experts find the perfect plan for you.
