Private dentist cost UK
If you can't get an NHS place, private care isn't always the eye-watering expense people fear — at least for routine work. Here's what private dentistry really costs across the UK in 2026, and how to keep the bill down.
How much does a private dentist cost in the UK?
Private dental costs in the UK vary by region, but typical 2026 ranges are: a check-up £30–£120, hygienist £50–£120, a white filling £90–£300, root canal £300–£1,200, a crown £500–£1,200, dentures £600–£2,500+, and a single dental implant £2,000–£2,800. London and the South East sit at the top of these ranges; the North, Wales and Scotland are often cheaper. Unlike NHS care, private fees are charged per item and aren't capped, so always ask for an itemised written treatment plan before agreeing. You can lower costs with a monthly dental plan (around £10–£25/month for routine care), by spreading payments with practice finance, or by using a dental school clinic. For major work, many UK patients compare these prices against treatment abroad.
| Private treatment | Typical UK cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| New patient examination | £30–£120 |
| Hygienist / scale & polish | £50–£120 |
| White (composite) filling | £90–£300 |
| Root canal treatment | £300–£1,200 |
| Tooth extraction | £90–£350 |
| Crown | £500–£1,200 |
| Veneer (per tooth) | £500–£1,200 |
| Dentures (full/partial) | £600–£2,500+ |
| Single dental implant | £2,000–£2,800 |
| Teeth whitening | £250–£600 |
Why private prices vary so much
Three things drive the spread: location (London and the South East are dearest), materials (a zirconia or all-ceramic crown costs more than a metal-based one), and complexity (a straightforward extraction versus a surgical one). The headline figure on a website is rarely the whole story, which is why an itemised plan matters.
Always get an itemised treatment plan
Before agreeing to private work, ask for a written, itemised treatment plan listing every procedure and its cost. This stops surprises (an implant quote that turns out to exclude the crown, for example) and lets you compare practices like for like. A reputable practice will provide one without hesitation.
How to pay less for private care
- Dental plans: many practices offer a monthly membership (around £10–£25) bundling check-ups, hygiene visits and discounts on treatment.
- Practice finance: larger treatments can often be spread over months, sometimes interest-free.
- Dental schools: university clinics treat patients at reduced fees, with supervised students doing the work.
- Shop around: get two or three quotes for big-ticket work — prices for the same crown or implant can differ by hundreds of pounds.
The big-ticket items: implants and full-mouth work
This is where UK private fees climb fast. A single implant is £2,000–£2,800; a full arch of implant-supported teeth can run to many thousands; and a full set of veneers or a full-mouth restoration can reach five figures. For work at this level, it's entirely reasonable to compare a UK quote against treatment abroad, where the same procedures often cost 50–70% less even after travel. See also how this stacks up against the NHS in our NHS vs private cost guide.