The reality of NHS dental care in 2026
NHS dentistry still works on a fixed band system, and it remains the cheapest way to get essential treatment. As of 1 April 2026, the charges in England are £27.90 for a Band 1 check-up, £76.60 for Band 2 treatment such as fillings and root canal work, and £332.10 for Band 3 work including crowns, dentures and bridges. Emergency treatment sits at £27.90. Scotland charges 80% of the treatment cost up to a maximum of £384 per course, while Wales keeps its own lower bands.
The catch is access. NHS Business Services Authority data published in August 2026 shows 18.8 million adults were seen by an NHS dentist in the 24 months to March 2026, which is just 40% of the adult population. The numbers vary dramatically by region, too. South Yorkshire saw 56% of adults access NHS care, while Somerset recorded just 23%. If you live in a dental desert, your options narrow quickly.
What the NHS will not cover is the cosmetic side of fixing teeth. Straightening for adults is almost always private. Implants are rarely funded by the NHS, which instead offers a Band 3 bridge or denture for a missing tooth. Composite bonding and veneers for aesthetic reasons are not available through the NHS either. That leaves most people weighing up private treatment, and that is where the real cost differences appear.
The main private options for fixing teeth
Private dentistry in the UK splits into a few clear categories, each with a different price range, treatment time and level of permanence. Here is a side-by-side view of the most common routes.
| Treatment | Typical UK cost | Treatment time | Best for | Advantages | Drawbacks |
|---|
| Metal braces | £1,800 - £3,835 | 18-36 months | Complex cases, budget-conscious | Most affordable orthodontics; handles severe crowding | Very visible; dietary limits |
| Ceramic braces | £2,500 - £5,000 | 18-36 months | Adults wanting discreet fixed braces | Less noticeable than metal | Pricier than metal; brackets can stain |
| Lingual braces | £3,500 - £8,825 | 6-36 months | Professionals; maximum invisibility | Hidden completely behind teeth | Expensive; specialist needed; initial speech adjustment |
| Invisalign Express/i7 | £1,200 - £2,000 | 3-6 months | Minor corrections only | Removable; very discreet | Only mild cases; compliance required |
| Invisalign Full | £3,500 - £5,500 | 12-24 months | Moderate to complex cases | Discreet; removable for eating | 20-22 hours daily wear needed |
| Composite bonding | £250 - £450 per tooth | Single visit | Chips, small gaps, mild discolouration | Same-day result; reversible | Lasts 5-7 years; can stain |
| Porcelain veneers | £700 - £1,200 per tooth | 2-3 visits over weeks | Major smile transformations | Lasts 10-15 years; stain resistant | Irreversible; enamel removed |
| Single dental implant | £1,800 - £3,000 per tooth | 3-6 months | Replacing a missing tooth | Permanent; feels natural | Bone grafting may add cost; rarely NHS |
One thing to watch with implants: headline prices below £1,000 often cover the implant post alone. A proper quote should itemise the 3D scan, the surgery, the abutment and the crown, plus any review appointments. Bone grafting, where the jawbone has shrunk, typically adds £300 to £800 on top.
How adults are actually choosing
The rise in adult orthodontics is striking. A British Orthodontic Society survey found 76% of UK orthodontists reported more adult patients over the past three years, with 83% of those aged between 26 and 55. Remote working and video calls have pushed many people to fix teeth they had ignored for years.
Take the case of a 34-year-old teacher from Manchester who wanted to close a gap in her front teeth. She was quoted £1,800 for Invisalign Express but the mild case meant her dentist could do composite bonding on two teeth for around £700. She chose bonding first, kept the option of aligners later, and avoided committing to a treatment she did not fully need. That trial approach, starting with the least invasive option, works well for uncertain cases.
Another example: a 41-year-old accountant in Birmingham needed one missing molar replaced. His NHS dentist offered a bridge under Band 3, but the NHS waiting list in his area stretched beyond six months. He compared two private clinics and chose a single implant at £2,400 including the crown, paid through a 12-month 0% finance plan at £200 per month. The key was comparing itemised quotes rather than headline prices.
Payment plans and spreading the cost
Most private practices now offer some form of payment support, and the structures vary a lot. A monthly membership plan usually covers check-ups and hygiene visits for around £15 to £25 per month but does not fund major treatment. 0% finance for a specific treatment plan is common, with 12-month and 24-month terms available through providers like Chrysalis Finance and Tabeo. Interest-bearing finance exists too, and that is where costs can creep up, so reading the terms matters.
Before signing anything, ask for a written treatment plan with a full cost breakdown. Check what happens if the treatment fails, if you change practice, or if your needs change halfway through. A reputable clinic will not pressure you to sign finance on the day.
A practical action plan
Start by working out what you actually need. Book a private check-up even if you are registered with an NHS dentist, because a private examination, typically £50 to £115 in London and less elsewhere, gives you a clear itemised view of what needs fixing and what is optional. From there, compare written quotes from at least two GDC-registered practices, and verify any dentist on the register at gdc-uk.org.
For straightening, request an orthodontic assessment rather than a general dentist's opinion. The British Orthodontic Society keeps a directory of registered orthodontists, which is useful for complex cases. For cosmetic work like bonding or veneers, ask about longevity, staining and repairability before you commit. For implants, get the full itemised plan including what happens if the implant fails to integrate.
One final warning about dental tourism. Clinics advertising "Turkey teeth" deals at a fraction of UK prices rarely include the cost of corrective work when things go wrong, and British dentists see a steady stream of patients needing repairs after treatment abroad. The General Dental Council only regulates UK professionals, so you have no recourse through UK channels for work done overseas. Fixing teeth in the UK might cost more upfront, but the protection, follow-up care and clinical accountability are part of what you are paying for.
研究の知恵