DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
Are white fillings worth it? UK costs and how long they last
A white filling blends in with your tooth, which is why so many people choose one over a grey metal one. The tricky part is that composite is nearly always a private treatment on a back tooth, so you pay for the look. This guide weighs up whether that spend is worth it, and the real prices below show what dentists near you actually charge.
The quick version
- White (composite) fillings are tooth-coloured and bond to the tooth, so they look far more natural than amalgam.
- On the NHS a filling falls under Band 2, which is a fixed £76.60 in England from 1 April 2026, though front-tooth composites can be provided on the NHS where clinically needed.
- Private composite fillings are priced per tooth and vary with the size of the cavity and the number of surfaces filled.
- A well-placed composite typically lasts several years, but back teeth take heavy chewing forces that can shorten its life.
- The same filling can cost very different amounts from one practice to the next, so a quote from a single dentist tells you almost nothing on its own.
- Whether a filling counts as one surface or three changes the price, so ask your dentist to state the surface count on the quote, not just a total figure.
Published and surveyed prices
Where these 9 prices come from — 7 named sources
- gov.wales
- nhs.uk
- manchesterdental.co.uk
- thelondondentalcentre.co.uk
- friendsdental.co.uk
- whitesdental.co.uk
- dentistryforyou.co.uk
Each is a published price list, an official survey, or a receipt/quote a reader shared. The full per-price list with year and area is on the white filling page.
Why the price varies so much
The main thing that moves the price is how much tooth needs rebuilding. A small cavity on one surface is quick, while a large filling wrapping around three surfaces takes longer and uses more material, so it costs more. Where the tooth sits matters too, because a molar at the back is harder to reach and keep dry than a front tooth. Whether the practice is NHS or private makes the biggest difference of all, since NHS work is fixed at the Band 2 rate while private pricing is set by the practice itself. Who owns that practice plays a part as well. A large corporate dental group often prices centrally across many sites, while an independent, dentist-owned practice sets its own fees locally, and neither model is automatically cheaper than the other. Region matters too: a practice in an expensive part of the country, particularly around London and the South East, tends to charge more than one in a cheaper area, simply because rent and staff costs are higher there. On top of all that, some cavities turn out to need a crown or root canal once the decay is cleaned out, which is a different price bracket entirely.
How to pay less
- Ask whether the tooth qualifies for an NHS filling, since a single Band 2 charge covers all the fillings you need in that course of treatment.
- Deal with a small cavity early, before it grows into a large filling, a crown or root canal work.
- Get a written quote that lists the number of surfaces, so you can compare like for like between practices.
- Compare the real prices below for a few local dentists rather than booking the first one you call.
- Ask directly whether a filling could turn into a crown once the decay is opened up, and get a rough price for that scenario too, so a bigger bill never catches you off guard.
- If a front tooth filling has failed and needs replacing, check whether it still counts as NHS work rather than assuming it must be private.
Common questions
Can I get a white filling on the NHS?
Yes for front teeth, where a tooth-coloured filling is standard on the NHS. For back teeth the NHS usually provides amalgam, so a white filling there is normally a private choice you pay extra for.
How long does a white filling last?
It varies with the size of the filling, the tooth it is on and how well you look after it. Many last several years, but large fillings on heavily chewed back teeth tend to wear or chip sooner than small ones.
Are white fillings worth the extra cost?
If the tooth shows when you smile, most people feel the natural look is worth it. On a hidden back molar the case is weaker, so it comes down to whether appearance matters to you. Check the real prices below before deciding.
How much does a private white filling cost?
There is no single answer, because price tracks the size and location of the cavity and the practice you choose. The real prices on this page show what people have actually paid, which is a better guide than any average figure a practice quotes over the phone.
Why do quotes for the same filling differ so much between dentists?
Two dentists can look at the same tooth and describe different amounts of work, and pricing also depends on whether the practice is NHS, private, part of a larger group, or an independent. Always ask for the surface count in writing so you are comparing the same job, not just a number.
Will my white filling ever need replacing?
Most fillings need replacing eventually, whether that is because of wear, a chip, or new decay starting at the edge. Ask your dentist to check existing fillings at routine appointments, since catching a failing one early usually means a smaller, cheaper repair than waiting until it breaks.