Dental Bonding Cost

Typical costs:

• Using dental bonding techniques for a tooth-colored composite resin cavity filling costs $90-$450 or more, depending on the number of surfaces being filled. Most dental insurance covers only 50%-80% of the cost of this type of dental bonding, although in some instances insurance may cover most or all of the cost if a composite filling is used to replace a cracked or broken old silver amalgam filling.
• Cosmetic dental bonding (to repair chipped or cracked teeth, fill a small space between two teeth, or otherwise improve a smile) typically costs $300-$600 per tooth, but it can be as low as $100-$200 or as high as $800 -$1,000 per tooth depending on the complexity and extent of the bonding process, prevailing local rates, and the dentist's training, expertise and reputation. Unless it's done for structural reasons, cosmetic dental bonding is generally not covered by insurance.

• Dental bonding is one of the easiest and least expensive cosmetic dental procedures, and unless the bonding is being used to fill a decayed tooth it can be done without anesthesia. Composite bonds typically last about 7-11 years. WebMD.com provides an overview^[1] and a before-and-after photo^[2] (slide number 2).
• When dental bonding is used to make minor cosmetic corrections, the dentist will select a shade of resin to match the tooth; abrade or etch the tooth's surface to roughen it; lightly coat the tooth with conditioning liquid to improve the bond; apply the putty-like resin; harden it with an ultraviolet light or laser; and then trim, polish and shape the bonded material. The process takes anywhere from 30 minutes to just over an hour per tooth and Colgate.com explains how it's done^[3] .
• When dental bonding is used to install a tooth-colored filling created by a dental laboratory, the bonding process is similar but it usually requires two appointments, a mold of the patient's teeth, anesthetic and a temporary filling.

• Dental bonding is best used to make minor corrections; if more extensive work is needed, instead of bonding it might require veneers at $500-$1,300 per tooth or crowns at $500-$3,000 per tooth.

• The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research provides tips for finding low-cost dental care^[4] .
• Dental school clinics^[5] offer reduced rates for services by supervised students or faculty. .

• WedMD lists factors to consider when choosing a dentist^[6] .
• If the patient has dental insurance, the insurance company will provide a list of approved dentists. Or get referrals to local dentists from the American Dental Association^[7] or the Amcerican Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry^[8] .

1.  www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-bonding
2.  www.webmd.com/oral-health/ss/slideshow-cosmetic-dentistry
3.  www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/Cosmetic-Dentistry/Bonding/Bo...
4.  www.nidcr.nih.gov/oralhealth/popularpublications/findinglowcostdentalcare/
5.  www.ada.org/267.aspx
6.  www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/finding-dentist
7.  www.mouthhealthy.org/en/find-a-dentist.aspx
8.  www.aacd.com/index.php?module=aacd.websiteforms&cmd=memberreferral

Check Out All Costs for Health & Personal Care		How Much Does an Emergency Room Visit Cost?		How Much Does an X-Ray Cost?		How Much Do Body Piercings Cost?

Today's Featured Cost Articles

In case signing up was a resolution, we cover the cost of diet plans. Need help uncovering your driveway? You may need a snow removal service. The CDC recommends it is more important than ever to get a flu shot this year. Be ready if the worst weather hits -- a portable generator means fewer power outages. Garden all winter long with an indoor greenhouse.

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

Radiologist Fee Paid: 350.00 Any radiologist reading your mammogram will be at least $350. They have 11-13 years of training after high school before they begin work. If they are not board certified, watch out. Most are and it beats getting cancer... [more] -Lowes Fan Mammogram Cost DIY Ceiling Paid: 50.00 We bought a house with a cheap paint job. The ceilings were sprayed the same color as the walls. During COVID I painted the ceilings and a bathroom. A 120 square foot room took me about 4 hours (2 coats)... [more] -Lowes Fan Painting an Interior Cost DIY vs Installed Small Deck Paid: 3000.00 We paid $1300 for materials and $1700 for labor on a 100 square foot composite deck plus a redwood gate. It took 30 hours, done last year. My husband built a 100 sf heart redwood deck for about $1000 in materials in 2019... [more] -Lowe's Fan Redwood Deck Cost Colposcopy with biopsy Paid: 756.00 This service was wayy to expensive in my opinion. For a 20-25 minute total visit I had to pay out of pocked 756 - 187 to OBGYN, 229 to pathologist, then 340$ for facility fee or the hospital. I don't even know what that charge was for... [more] -D S Colposcopy Cost Bilateral Diagnostic Mammogram and Third Mammogram Paid: 1389.66 My 2021 bill, still in shock! Weill Cornell, in-network provider, billed my insurance $908 for a bilateral diagnostic mammogram, and $712 for a third mammogram one breast... [more] -GinaF Mammogram Cost shoulder mri Paid: 8000.00 Seriously, 8K for an MRI before all the secret insurance kicks in. I was stuck with a 1200 bill and my insurance is pretty good. This is insane for a 20 minute procedure with no nurse assistance... [more] -stevej45 MRI Cost