Most people cannot get dental implants free. The NHS only pays for implants in a few medical situations, such as after mouth cancer or a serious accident. If you lost a tooth to decay or gum disease, implants are almost always private.
A dental implant is a metal post placed in the jawbone, with a false tooth (a crown) fixed on top. In London, the median starting price for one implant is £2,100. That figure comes from the prices that 288 London practices publish. The middle half of practices start between £1,700 and £2,800.
There are still ways to pay less, and the NHS can replace missing teeth in other ways for much less money.
When the NHS pays for implants
NHS implants are done in hospital, not at a high street practice. Your dentist must refer you to a hospital department that specialises in restoring teeth (restorative dentistry). The hospital then decides whether you meet its criteria.
NHS hospitals usually only accept people who:
- lost teeth, or part of the jaw, because of surgery or radiotherapy for head and neck cancer
- lost teeth in an accident, especially if bone and gum were lost too
- were born with several teeth missing (hypodontia), or with a cleft lip or palate
- have a rare inherited condition that affects how teeth form
- cannot wear dentures at all, even well-made ones, for a medical reason
Each hospital sets its own detailed rules. In almost all cases, the hospital must first be sure that a denture or bridge will not work for you.
Being on benefits, having a low income or holding an HC2 certificate does not make you eligible. Those rules decide what you pay for NHS treatment. They do not add implants to the treatments the NHS offers.
Cheaper NHS options for missing teeth
For most people, the NHS replaces missing teeth with a denture or a bridge:
- A denture is a removable plate with one or more false teeth.
- A bridge is a false tooth fixed to the teeth on either side of the gap.
Both are Band 3 treatments. In 2026/27, a Band 3 course of NHS treatment costs £332.10 in total, however many teeth it covers. It is free if you are exempt from NHS charges. See is the NHS dentist free? to check.
Here is the difference in money. Say you need 2 back teeth replaced. Two implants would cost about £4,200 at the London median starting price, and often more once every stage is included. An NHS denture for both teeth would cost £332.10.
Dental schools
Dental schools can offer implants for less, but this is not a quick or certain route.
Undergraduate student clinics do not usually do implants. Guy’s Hospital, for example, gives free routine treatment by undergraduate students, but says it cannot take patients who need implants.
Some university courses train qualified dentists in implant treatment. These dentists place implants under supervision by specialists. In London, UCL Eastman Dental Institute runs a course like this, where the dentists treat their own patients. Places for patients depend on what each course needs, and waiting times can be long. We could not find published prices, so ask each school what you would pay. Do not assume it will be free.
Clinical trials
Research studies sometimes need patients who need implants. If you take part, treatment may cost less or nothing. In return, you agree to extra check-ups and tests over several years.
Trials like this are uncommon, and each one has strict rules about who can join. To search for current UK studies, use the NHS Be Part of Research website. You can also ask the research departments at the London dental schools.
Paying in instalments
Most implant practices offer finance through a separate lender. Some offer 0% interest over 12 or 24 months. This spreads the cost but does not reduce it.
For example, £2,100 at 0% over 12 months is £175 a month. Over 24 months, it is about £88 a month. Check the interest rate before you sign. Plans over a longer time often charge interest.
How to compare prices fairly
Many practices advertise a “from” price. That price may only cover the post in the bone. Ask for a written quote that covers every stage:
- the consultation and any 3D scan
- placing the implant
- the abutment (the connector between the post and the crown)
- the crown
- any bone graft, if you need one
- follow-up visits
Then compare the totals, not the headline prices. Our guide to dental implant costs in London explains what affects the price. You can also compare practices on our dental implants in London page and in our London dental price list.
What to be careful about
Very low prices. An implant advertised at well under £1,000 in London is unusual. Ask what is included and which implant brand the practice uses. A common, well-known brand means another dentist can usually get parts and repair it later.
Treatment abroad. Implants in Turkey, Hungary or Poland can cost much less. The risk is aftercare. Problems can appear months or years later, when the clinic is far away. Before you book, ask a UK dentist whether they would treat any problems. Our article on dental implants in Turkey vs London covers this in detail.
For other ways to pay less for any treatment, see our guide to affordable dental care in London.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get dental implants free on the NHS?
Only in rare cases. The NHS pays for implants mainly after head and neck cancer, after a serious accident, or for people born without some teeth. Your dentist has to refer you to a hospital.
Do pensioners or people on benefits get free implants?
No. Benefits and the Low Income Scheme make NHS treatment free, but implants are not normally NHS treatment. You can get an NHS denture or bridge free instead.
How much does one dental implant cost in London?
The median starting price is £2,100, based on the prices 288 London practices publish. Ask for a full quote, because a starting price may not include the crown.
Are dental school implants free?
Usually not. Some dental schools offer implants at a lower cost through courses for qualified dentists. Undergraduate student clinics do not usually offer implants.
Prices are London practices’ published starting prices, checked October 2026. NHS charges are for England in 2026/27.