A private dental implant can cost anywhere from £2,500 to £5,145, depending on what is included. That is a considerable amount of money to spend on one tooth, although at least the tooth will not ask for petrol, insurance or a parking permit.
The broad spread reflects the way private dentistry is priced. A straightforward consultation is one thing; a complex treatment plan involving scans, surgery, laboratory work and several appointments is quite another. Even apparently similar procedures can carry noticeably different fees from one practice to the next.
For a routine check-up with a private dentist, expect to pay roughly £57 to £146. That appointment may be all you need if your teeth are behaving themselves, though dentists are occasionally gifted with the ability to spot trouble before it becomes painful. The fee usually covers an examination, but any additional X-rays or treatment may be charged separately, so it is sensible to ask what the appointment includes before sitting down in the chair and surrendering control of the conversation to someone holding a mirror and a metal probe.
A check-up is also where the price of prevention becomes obvious. A small problem can often be dealt with using a relatively simple treatment. Leave it until the tooth starts staging a full-scale protest, and the bill can rise quickly.
A white composite filling costs from about £168 to £180 per tooth. Composite fillings are tooth-coloured, which is useful if you would rather not have your dental work announce itself every time you laugh. The final price may depend on the size and location of the filling, as well as how much existing decay or damaged tooth needs to be removed first.
That “from” before the price matters. Dental practices often advertise starting prices because treatment is assessed case by case. A small filling and a large, awkwardly positioned filling are not equal jobs, even if both are described in conversation as “just a filling”. Dentistry has a talent for making the word “just” financially dangerous.
Tooth extraction is another treatment with a fairly wide range. A standard extraction may cost from £159 to £190, while a surgical extraction starts at around £275 and can rise to about £300. The difference usually reflects the difficulty of removing the tooth. A tooth that is visible and easy to grip is a simpler proposition than one that is broken, impacted or awkwardly positioned beneath the gum.
The type of extraction can also affect what happens afterwards. Removing a tooth may solve the immediate problem, but it can leave a gap that needs consideration, particularly if the missing tooth affects chewing or appearance. Replacing it may mean a bridge, denture or implant, each with its own costs and treatment timetable. The extraction itself can therefore be only the opening act.
Root canal treatment is more expensive because it involves saving a tooth that has become infected or badly inflamed inside. Prices start at around £376, while more complicated cases may cost approximately £472 to £1,036. The number of canals, the position of the tooth and the difficulty of reaching the affected area can all influence the fee.
Root canal treatment often comes with a second financial question: whether the tooth will need a crown afterwards. A tooth that has undergone this treatment may require extra protection, particularly if a substantial amount of its structure has already been lost. A crown costs from roughly £690 to £765. That means the total cost of restoring one damaged tooth can be significantly higher than the root canal price alone.
This is where dental estimates can become confusing. One quoted figure may cover the central procedure but exclude the restoration placed on top. Another may include several stages, laboratory work or follow-up appointments. Comparing two prices without checking what sits inside each package is a little like comparing a train ticket with a train ticket that includes a hotel, breakfast and a small suitcase. The numbers may look related, but they are not describing the same journey.
Crowns are made to cover and strengthen a damaged tooth, and their price can vary according to the material used and the laboratory work involved. A private dentist should explain the available options and the reason for recommending one. Patients do not need a lecture in dental materials, but they do deserve to know whether they are choosing between appearance, strength, longevity, or simply different ways of spending £700.
Implants sit at the most expensive end of common private dental treatment. An implant and crown may cost from around £2,500, while a complete treatment price at one practice is listed at £5,145. These figures can represent very different treatment plans, so the phrase “implant price” needs careful handling.
An implant usually involves placing a titanium fixture into the jaw, allowing it to heal, and then attaching a replacement tooth. The crown is a separate physical part of the finished result, even when the advertised price combines the two. Some patients may also require preparatory treatment before an implant can be placed. That could include dealing with infection, removing a damaged tooth or assessing whether the jaw can support the implant. Each extra stage can change the final bill.
The consultation is therefore more than a formality. It is the point at which the dentist should explain the proposed treatment, alternatives, expected number of appointments and total estimated cost. If the estimate is vague, ask for it to be broken down. A clear plan should show which treatments are essential, which are optional and which costs might arise if the procedure proves more complicated than expected.
Private dentistry also charges for the time and facilities involved in delivering treatment. A routine filling may take one appointment, while complex restorative work can require several visits and laboratory-made components. Emergency appointments, sedation and specialist referrals may carry additional charges, but those costs cannot be assumed from a headline treatment price. The only reliable figure is the one the practice confirms for the specific case.
The most useful question is not simply, “How much is a crown?” It is, “What will I pay for the complete treatment, including the examination, any necessary imaging, the procedure, the final restoration and follow-up care?” That question may produce a less cheerful number, but at least it will be a more honest one.
For anyone budgeting, the sensible approach is to deal with urgent problems before they expand into larger ones, request a written treatment plan and compare like with like. A £57 check-up is a very different financial event from a £5,145 implant, but the check-up may be the appointment that reveals whether you are heading towards one or can avoid it. Dental arithmetic is rarely exciting. It is, however, considerably easier to face before the tooth starts complaining at three in the morning.