DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
White filling cost in the UK vs NHS amalgam
White fillings are made from tooth-coloured composite that blends in, which is why so many people prefer them to the old silver amalgam. The cost depends on the size of the cavity and where the tooth sits in your mouth. The real prices below compare the NHS route with paying a private dentist.
The quick version
- Any filling on the NHS in England is a Band 2 charge at £76.60 from 1 April 2026, covering one or several fillings in the same course.
- The NHS provides white fillings on front teeth, but often uses amalgam on back teeth for cost reasons.
- A private dentist offers white composite on any tooth, priced per filling and by how large it is.
- A bigger cavity uses more material and takes longer, so it costs more privately than a small one.
Published and surveyed prices
Why the price varies so much
Size and position drive the private price. A small filling in an easy-to-reach spot is quick, while a large one that rebuilds much of the tooth takes more time, more composite, and more care to get the bite right. Back teeth are harder to reach and dry properly, which matters for composite that has to bond to a dry surface. On the NHS the band charge stays flat whatever material is used, but the choice of white versus amalgam on a back tooth can come down to NHS policy rather than your preference, which is one reason people go private for a natural look.
How to pay less
- Ask whether an NHS dentist can do the filling, since any number of fillings in one course is a single Band 2 charge.
- Deal with decay early, because a small filling is cheaper than a large one and far cheaper than a root canal later.
- If you want white on a back tooth, ask what the NHS will provide before assuming you have to pay privately.
- Check for exemption from NHS charges through age, pregnancy, or qualifying benefits.
Common questions
Will the NHS give me a white filling?
On front teeth, yes, the NHS routinely uses tooth-coloured fillings. On back teeth the NHS often uses amalgam because it is hard-wearing and cheaper, though practice varies. If you specifically want white composite on a molar, you may be asked to pay privately for that tooth. Either way an NHS filling course is a Band 2 charge of £76.60.
Are white fillings worth paying extra for?
For many people, yes, because they match the natural tooth and contain no mercury. They bond directly to the tooth, which can mean removing less healthy structure. The trade-off is that on very large cavities in back teeth they may not last as long as amalgam. Compare the real prices below against how much the appearance matters to you.
Why does a bigger filling cost more privately?
A larger cavity needs more composite material and takes longer to build up in layers and shape correctly. Very large fillings also demand more precision to get the bite and contact points right. A private dentist prices by size and tooth position, so a deep molar filling sits above a small one. The NHS charges the same band regardless.