Cost of Tooth Filling
Dental fillings are considered a medically necessary procedure, so most dental plans include coverage for fillings. If you leave a dental cavity untreated, the damage will continue to worsen and spread, and you might end up needing to have a root canal or even have the tooth extracted. If you don’t have dental insurance and you need a cavity filled, check on available dental insurance plans that offer coverage with no waiting period; you could also ask your dentist about financing plans their office might offer, usually with a third-party organization. The important takeaway is that cost shouldn’t prevent a person from having their tooth decay treated, as the cost of a smaller tooth filling in a mildly damaged tooth is significantly less than the cost of repairing, or even replacing, a tooth that is substantially ravaged by decay. The cost of a filling varies based mostly on the size of the cavity and extent of decay, and it is also affected by the types of teeth to be filled, the number of teeth that need treatment, and the materials used for the fillings. The average cost for a dental filling without dental insurance is around $200 to $600 per filling, though the cost could go as low as $100 or skyrocket up to around $4,000.
The materials used for tooth fillings are varied, with each offering different results for specific clinical, aesthetic, and budgetary needs. Metal fillings, which are sometimes known as silver amalgam fillings, are made of a combination of metal materials that include silver and copper. While silver amalgam fillings are durable, they can expand in certain circumstances and potentially crack the teeth. They’re also noticeably different from the natural tooth they restore, making them an unattractive option for more visible areas of the mouth. Metal amalgam fillings can cost as little as $50 per tooth or as much as $200 and are the least expensive material option for the treatment. Composite fillings, made from a resin material that is tinted to match the color of natural tooth enamel, are less noticeable than metal fillings, but they also don’t last as long. Composite dental fillings range in price from around $150 to $300 per filling. Many dentists offer patients a choice between metal amalgam and composite for basic dental fillings, though some practices have stopped using metal amalgam altogether as it wanes in popularity.
Gold fillings are rarely used in contemporary dentistry anymore, though they are, in many ways, the literal gold standard for dental fillings. While they are clearly not a great option for people who want a natural-looking filling in a visible area of the mouth, gold fillings are highly durable and can often last for many decades. Gold fillings tend to cost between $300 to $1,000 for one filling, when they are offered as an option at all. The most expensive option for a dental filling is porcelain; these are often used in cases where a tooth has sustained substantial damage, and their technical term is porcelain inlays. Porcelain inlays range in price from $300 to as much as $4,500 for one inlay. Like gold fillings, porcelain inlays are created in a dental lab, based on an impression of the tooth once decay has been removed. This type of ceramic filling, which is crafted to fit precisely in the crevices of the tooth, is highly durable, often lasting several decades, and might be especially recommended for areas of significant decay particularly when they are on the chewing surfaces toward the back of the mouth.