NHS Band 2: £73.50

What Band 2 Includes

Band 2 covers everything in Band 1 plus additional treatments like fillings, root canal work, and extractions. You only pay the single Band 2 charge regardless of how many fillings or extractions you need in that course of treatment. If you need three fillings and an extraction, you still pay just £73.50 total. White (composite) fillings on front teeth are available on the NHS; for back teeth, your dentist may offer amalgam as standard.

What Band 2 Does NOT Include

The Single Charge Rule

One of the most important things to understand about Band 2 is that you pay £73.50 once for your entire course of treatment. This means:

• Need 1 filling? You pay £73.50
• Need 4 fillings and 2 extractions? You still pay £73.50
• Need a root canal, 2 fillings, and a gum treatment? Still £73.50

This is one area where NHS dental treatment can offer significant savings compared to private care, where each procedure is charged separately.

White Fillings vs Amalgam

A common question is whether you can get white (tooth-coloured) fillings on the NHS. The answer is yes for front teeth — composite (white) fillings on front teeth are standard NHS treatment and included in the Band 2 charge.

For back teeth (molars and premolars), your dentist may offer amalgam (silver-coloured) fillings as the NHS option. Some dentists offer white fillings for back teeth as a private upgrade at an additional cost, typically £40-£120 per filling on top of the NHS charge.

Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment is included in Band 2, which represents excellent value. Privately, root canal treatment costs £250-£700 for a front tooth and £400-£1,000+ for a back tooth. On the NHS, it's included in the £73.50 Band 2 charge along with any other treatment needed.

If your tooth needs a crown after root canal treatment, this moves your treatment to Band 3 (£319.10). You pay the Band 3 charge, not Band 2 plus Band 3.