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CostHelper.com > Health & Personal Care  > Cavity Filling

Cavity Filling Cost

How Much Does a Cavity Filling Cost?

low cost Silver Amalgam: $75-$300
low cost Resin: $90-$300+

Related Topics:

Teeth Cleaning

Fluoride Treatment

Teeth Whitening

Dental Crown

Root Canal

Braces

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Teeth are prone to decay known as cavities. A filling is usually a two-part process (usually done in one office visit) in which the dentist removes the decay then fills the remaining tooth with a protective material.
 
Typical costs:
  • Decay may be found in one small spot or throughout a tooth. Dentists' fees are based on the number of surfaces needing filling in a single tooth.
  • A silver amalgam filling on one or two surfaces averages $75 -$160; for three or more surfaces it's $120 -$300 or more.
  • Tooth-colored composite resin fillings run $90 -$250 for one or two surfaces or $150 -$300 and up for more than two surfaces.
  • Typically dental insurance covers most or all of the costs of silver amalgam fillings, but only 50 to 80 percent of the cost of a composite filling because the higher charge for the tooth-colored material is considered a cosmetic option. One exception is when an old amalgam filling is cracked or broken and is replaced with a composite filling.
  • Cast-gold fillings (known as inlays or onlays) must be custom-ordered, require two visits and a temporary filling, and can cost up to 10 times the price of composite fillings or $900 -$3,000 and more.
What should be included:
  • The dentist will choose the type of filling based on the size of the cavity and the location of the tooth. Amalgam or composite resin are the most common materials. Composites are more likely to be used on more-visible front teeth. WebMD.com gives an overview of typical filling procedures and Colgate.com lists pros and cons of different types of fillings.
  • On average, amalgam fillings last approximately 12 years while composites last about five to seven years.
  • There has been some debate about the safety of the mercury that is present in silver amalgam fillings, but the US Food and Drug Administration says there is no danger.
Additional costs:
  • Usually an initial exam ($20 -$100) and X-rays ($13 -$135) are required to determine the extent of the decay before a dentist will perform a filling procedure.
Discounts:
  • Check DentalSite.com for locations of college clinics offering reduced rates for services by supervised students or faculty.
  • The American Dental Association lists state associations; these groups may a portion of basic dental fees for low-income patients.
Shopping for a cavity filling:
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
 
Article updated November 2007
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments

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Composite fillings
Amount: $956.00 total
Posted by: Lenn in saint louis, MO.Posted: August 3rd, 2010 12:08AM
Type: composite (teeth color)Number of Surfaces: not sure
Number of Cavities: 4 cavities, all are between teeth.
I wasn't sure how much my dentist charges me per tooth. I saw on my treatment plans that I would have to pay $956 for four tooth. He said he found ONE cavity on each molars, and the cavity is located in between the tooth. I would have said it should be one surface, but it feels like I'm being charge for 3 since they have to drill out the other two to get to that particular cavity. =(
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a bunch a drilling and filling
Amount: $1,430.00 total
Posted by: one bummed nervous chick in st paul, MN.Posted: August 21st, 2010 04:08PM
Type: resin compositeNumber of Surfaces: 3,4,2,&2 surfaces
Number of Cavities: 3 with 2 filling replcmnts
No insurance on this one ! 8-( bit down to feel a sharp pain - xrays & exam revealed 2 cracked fillings w/ decay under the bigger deeper one , a 3 surf and a 4 surf and 2 new 2 surf cavities to add to the fun ! All molars and 4 different apts. Filling replacing took longest and didn't numb me nearly enough , not much tooth left- deep and big but unnoticed thanx to composites - lucky to avoid crowns on those 2 he said - finished the both 2 surf fillings on the 4th visit. Found a gentler dentist now , thank god ! Needed a root canal and crown last summer and a few more cavities this exam - :(
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groupon
Amount: $295.00 total
Posted by: Overcharging? in San Francisco, CA.Posted: September 18th, 2010 02:09PM
Type: composite resinNumber of Surfaces: 2
Number of Cavities: 1
Son had a groupon for xray & exam, was told he had one cavity. wants to charge $295! haven't decided yet. Think they want to make back what they lost on the groupon. Says it's a small cavity; he doesn't even feel anything yet.
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5 crowns, 3 fillings
Amount: $3,777.00 total
Posted by: EricS in Huntsville, AL.Posted: September 26th, 2010 07:09PM
Type: Major WorkNumber of Surfaces: 8
Number of Cavities: 3
5 crowns @ $695/ea plus 3 fillings at different rates due to where they are. MetLife insurance pays $1000 per year (well $950 really after the $50 deductible). Subtract $237 for cleaning and x-rays and really I get 1 crown covered. I think I will cancel my insurance and go with a flexible spending account next year instead.
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Expensive Child Fillings
Amount: $550.00 total
Posted by: Gretchen in Arlington, TX.Posted: October 29th, 2010 12:10PM
Type: amalgamNumber of Surfaces: 2 surfaces
Number of Cavities: 3
We have medical AND dental insurance (Met Life). After all was said and done, we owe almost $175 per filling. I don't understand how that could be. Why do I bother paying dental insurance? I have yet to find a SINGLE DENTAL INSURER who actually makes me feel safe getting dental work done.
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Filling
Amount: $457.50 total
Posted by: VCE in Santa Rosa, CA.Posted: November 12th, 2010 10:11AM
Type: Molar Crown Porcelain/CeramicNumber of Surfaces: 3/4
Number of Cavities: 1
Cracked/broken amalagam filling. Deemed restorative/cosmetic by Metlife PPO Insurance. Very disappointed at having to pay this cost, especially considering the health/safety concerns re: amalgam fillings.
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Amalgum Filling
Amount: $108.00 total
Posted by: been there befor in Pensacola, FL.Posted: December 9th, 2010 03:12PM
Type: AmalgumNumber of Surfaces: 2
Number of Cavities: 1
Dentist charged 108, but Delta Dental says they only allow 58, I guess the only problem here is that the insurance company seems to be seriously out of date with their allowances.
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Went to dentist first time in my life :)
Amount: $400.00 total
Posted by: gav_sharma in sherman oaks, CA.Posted: December 9th, 2010 05:12PM
Type: fillingNumber of Surfaces: 1 and 2
Number of Cavities: 9
I feel bad for the dentist who cleaned my teeth. They were in pretty bad shape since I never went to dentist ever. I have had insurance for 5 yrs now but my teeth never bothered me and so I never bothered them :)
Anyways, I have Metlife Dental and went to in network doctor. It cos me out of pocket $406 for 9 fillings. 4 of them were 1 surface @ $34/filling and 5 of them were 2 surface @ $54/filling
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delta careUSA
Amount: $80.00 total
Posted by: mop213 in bellflower, CA.Posted: December 21st, 2010 05:12PM
Type: molar decayNumber of Surfaces: i dont know
Number of Cavities: 1
went to the dentist today and had a cavitiy on my molar. needed to grind basically the entire tooth down. looks like a normal tooth now! my HMO sucks! their telephone hotline is designed to hang up on you when you call them.
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Feel ripped off
Amount: $575.00 total
Posted by: Cecilia Cooper in Atlanta, GA.Posted: January 12th, 2011 07:01AM
Type: resin compositeNumber of Surfaces:
Number of Cavities: 2
Dentist didn't give me any options or tell me that my insurance would cover less for composite filling.
Then, they tell me the whole charge is $575 and they'll run it through insurance. Guess what my post-insurance charge is? $575.
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Filling
Amount: $90.00 total
Posted by: Tikibluegurl in Long beach, CA.Posted: January 21st, 2011 07:01PM
Type: White fillingNumber of Surfaces:
Number of Cavities: 1
I went to the dentist to pay for my root canal and get my filling because it came off two month ago.. I went there thinking it was going to be 100+ after I was done it's cost 90 for the white filling and one X-ray.. :)
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filling
Amount: $100.00 total
Posted by: jay_girl in Anaheim, CA.Posted: February 9th, 2011 03:02PM
Type: white fillingNumber of Surfaces:
Number of Cavities: 1
Just got back from dentist i have 8 cavities could only afford to do 1 today.. since i dont have insurance they knocked down the price from 155 to 100... They charged me $25.00 for x-rays and teeth cleaning.. I feel i got a good deal .. just need to fix the other 7 now . Dentist Located in Anaheim 714-772-5656
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Cavities
Amount: $3,386.00 total
Posted by: a user in las cruces, NM.Posted: February 10th, 2011 11:02AM
Type: Number of Surfaces: 1,2 &3
Number of Cavities: 16
Had 16 cavities in between my teeth due to years of acid reflux.Went to one dentist and was quoted $6095 and decided to get a second opinion new cost was $3,386 for the same work.
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Filling
Amount: $257.00 total
Posted by: a user in Stillwater, OK.Posted: February 21st, 2011 08:02AM
Type: AmalgamNumber of Surfaces:
Number of Cavities: 2
I paid 67 dollars out of 257 with Delta Dental PPO.
Feels good. But I would like to have my teeth cleaned as well. Not done yet. Have to make another schedule
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Expensive Composite Filling
Amount: $480.00 total
Posted by: Okamoto in Torrance, CA.Posted: February 25th, 2011 05:02PM
Type: CompositeNumber of Surfaces: 1
Number of Cavities: 1
I had a cracked amalgam filling replaced with composite, Aetna PPO insurance only paid for $180, leaving me with $300 cost.

Judging by what people are saying here, they overcharged me, and insurance really didn't cover much at all.
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Cavity filling
Amount: $100.00 total
Posted by: esteem in Tijuana, Other.Posted: February 28th, 2011 02:02AM
Number of Cavities: 2
I had an examination, two cavities drilled and filled with composite resin. Total cost was $100. When I had a root canal done previously the cost, with the crown, was around $400. Good service too. A fraction of what I quoted in the US.
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Well I am in same boat here,but
Amount: $950.00 total
Posted by: GrinNbearit in Newberry, SC.Posted: March 12th, 2011 10:03PM
Type: resinNumber of Surfaces:
Number of Cavities: 4
I doubt any of us have BRUSHED,BRUSHED,BRUSHED... like we shoulda ! and ALL the soft drinks are damaging to them too.
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Cavities after pregnancy destroyed teeth
Amount: $2,770.00 total
Posted by: tammyjj in wichita, KS.Posted: March 20th, 2011 07:03AM
Type: resinNumber of Surfaces:
Number of Cavities: 21
2 large gum line the rest small ones
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Decay under Composite, Chipped Molar
Amount: $530.00 total
Posted by: td in Canoga Park, CA.Posted: March 23rd, 2011 10:03AM
Type: resin composite, ceramic onlayNumber of Surfaces: 3
Number of Cavities: 2
I purchased individual delta dental dmo in CA to cover the cost of cavity I discovered through an exam & cleaning I purchased through groupon. The groupon dentist quoted me $256 per filling but I didn't end up using him because the exam was cursory & the dentist didn't even look in my mouth. Purchased dental dmo plan & went to the new dentist who found the same decay & the chipped molar (which I had suspected after I bit down on a small rock in food). Recommended I do an onlay vs. filling as the decay was in between the teeth & once he started drilling, the decay was deeper than what the x-ray seemed to indicate.

$115 - 3 surface composite resin for posterior
$415 - onlay ceramic/porcelain 3 surface

The above amounts are the copay that Delta Dental DMO plan specifies that I pay to the dentist. The DMO plan cost me $133/year & there are no copays for cleaning & x-rays. Since I have another onlay & maybe a crown to go, this plan is better than just paying cash.
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cavity on front tooth
Amount: $350.00 total
Posted by: jancat in tiverton, RI.Posted: June 15th, 2011 04:06PM
Type: white fillingNumber of Surfaces: 1
Number of Cavities: 1
I was quoted a price of filling a cavity I think it was on #26, front bottom, son chipped it when he was a baby and stood up into my chin. tooth chipped on top and they put a filling on it that lasted 24 years. Now it needs filling again and I was given the price of 350 dollars for one small filling. I think I should shop around or is that a normal price?
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quote after insurance for 18 fillings
Amount: $1,750.00 total
Posted by: 18 fillings! in cambridge, OH.Posted: July 9th, 2011 03:07PM
Type: filling (composite)Number of Surfaces:
Number of Cavities: 18
First time back at. Dentist in nearly 2 decades since an improperly cleaned filling almost killed me when I was 12 doc says I need 18 fillings mostly between teeth primarily 2 to 3 surf is the 1750 a normal quote or should I look elsewhere I have negligence and they cover 75% up to 2000...
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4 yr. old 5 fillings
Amount: $1,251.00 total
Posted by: Mad Grandma in Springboro, OH.Posted: July 14th, 2011 10:07AM
Type: MolarNumber of Surfaces: 1
Number of Cavities: 6
I have spent a total of $1,251.00 on 5 fillings for my 4 yr. old granddaughter and they are baby teeth! Does anyone else find this ridiculous?? I paid it because she was in pain and needed something done, but needless to say we will not be going back there!! I paid $986.00 then today the found another "small" cavity. I told them to go ahead and fill it. Then they wanted another $265.00!!!!
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refill cavity for lost filling
Amount: $134.00 total
Posted by: deelane in Wichita, KS.Posted: August 22nd, 2011 10:08AM
Type: fillingNumber of Surfaces: 1
Number of Cavities: 1
Recently lost a 4-year old filling while flossing; dentist explained some decay had occurred, hence the loosened filling. Refilled with composite materials; entire procedure was fast, painless, and competent. I don't where my dental bill falls in the low-to-high scale but I was more than satisfied with the service. No dental insurance, unfortunately, so it's all pay-as-you exit with my dental office.
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One filling...
Amount: $290.00 total
Posted by: brickstore in Decatur, GA.Posted: September 27th, 2011 08:09AM
Type: Resin CompositeNumber of Surfaces: 2
Number of Cavities: 1
Aetna PPO denied the entire claim saying they only cover amalgam fillings. Was not offered choice while in the chair. Ouch.
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