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Cavities are the second most common ailment in the US, right behind the common cold. In fact, 25% of adults have cavities, with more than half of teenagers developing a cavity at some point.
Tooth decay is not a one-off event in your mouth, but it is something that dentists need to deal with constantly. While root canals and cavity fillings are some of the most popular dental care procedures, dental procedures can still run a high price tag without insurance coverage or some other support.
Here’s everything you need to know about the average dental filling costs–with or without insurance.
Cavity fillings, or dental fillings, are a simple dental procedure, but it takes a lot of steps that can run a pretty high price tag. While insurance covers the cost of most dental fillings, the amount of coverage differs depending on your plan. Additionally, they may not cover the entire cost of co-occurring procedures like root canals, and your deductible might not even make it worth it.
Not to mention, over 33% of dentate adults don’t have dental coverage, meaning that there are millions of Americans without access to dental fillings or other routine procedures. Out-of-pocket costs for fillings can range anywhere from $200 to $600 per tooth.
But, the size of the cavity and the type of filling can make this price differ drastically, with prices ranging up to $4,000.
Cavities are permanently damaged areas on the hard surface of your teeth. They form tiny holes that can begin to infect the inner pulp of a tooth. This can cause oral health complications down the line, so getting cavity treatment as soon as possible is essential.
When a cavity is just forming, you might not even notice that it’s forming. But as it starts to progress, you might notice symptoms like:
-Toothache or spontaneous pain
-Sensitivity to hot and cold
-Visible holes in the teeth
-Brown, black, or white standing on the surface of the tooth
-Pain when you bite down
-Mild or sharp pain when eating something sweet, hot, or cold
If a damaged tooth is caught soon enough, your dentist might be able to revert the damage without needing to give you a root canal or a filling. This is why it’s important to visit your dentist twice a year so they can monitor symptoms and nip and issues before they become severe.
Cavities are caused by tooth decay which happens over time due to poor oral hygiene and a combination of other factors. First, dental plaque forms on the teeth. This is a sticky, clear film that forms from eating a lot of sugary, starchy foods without caring for your teeth.
Over time, plaque that stays on the teeth hardens into something called tartar. This is much more difficult to remove, and it creates a shield for bacteria to do some damage. The acids in plaque remove minerals on the tooth’s hard surface called the enamel. It can then reach the next layer of your teeth called dentin, which has tiny tubes connecting to the nerves that can cause sensitivity.
If a cavity continues to do damage after this point, the bacteria can make its way into the deepest part of the tooth, called the pulp. This contains nerves and blood vessels, which can cause tons of pain and discomfort if the pulp becomes irritated by the bacteria.
Cavities are also most common on your back teeth, the molars, premolars, and wisdom teeth because they’re filled with grooves that can collect food easily. With that said, they can still form on the front teeth. Additionally, certain foods like dairy products, sugars, starches, and chips are more likely to cause cavities because they are not easily washed away by saliva.
Other risk factors include dry mouth, heartburn or acid reflux, lack of fluoride, or inadequate brushing.
Cavity fillings allow your dentist to fix a cavity and prevent infection from spreading further. And if you’re worried about your first appointment, here is what you can expect for your filling procedure treatment plan.
First, the dentist will numb the gums and area around your affected tooth to ensure you are comfortable for the entire procedure. In some cases, sedation with an anesthetic may be used to put you to sleep.
Next, they may place a rubber sheet in your mouth to get easy access to the affected tooth while preventing rubber or tooth chips from getting down your throat.
Next, you might hear the sounds of a drill as they work to remove the decayed material on the tooth. When the decay is entirely gone, the cavity will finally get the tooth filling.
Cavity filling material is something called dental amalgam. This is composed of a mixture of metals consisting of liquid, mercury, and a metal alloy composed of silver, tin, and copper. After the filling is placed, the tooth is filed and shaped to ensure that it does not interfere with your ability to bite down or chew.
Some cavity fillings are made of tooth-colored composite. A composite filling closely resembles the color of existing teeth. With that said, they are not as long-lasting as silver amalgam fillings (metal fillings) and may need to be replaced more often.
Generally, a dental filling procedure can last up to one hour, from beginning to end. For a child, a dental filling may require anesthesia if a child is unable to remain still through the filling, adding additional time.
The length of the actual filling portion of a dental filling procedure can vary based on the type of materials used. A simple filling can last as few as 20 minutes in one visit. More complex fillings, like composite fillings that include getting an impression, require a second visit to complete.
It’s normal to have some fear and concerns about a cavity filling. While the procedure may be a bit uncomfortable or painful in some cases, most fillings cause little to no pain.
Cavities can cause immense pain, and fillings prevent or reduce this pain and prevent further infection. If you are concerned about dental filling costs, we offer savings for those with and without insurance so you can receive the care you need.
If a cavity is untreated for a long period of time and reaches the tooth’s pulp (where nerves and blood vessels are located), it can cause intense pain. The earlier you can treat a cavity, the more you will save your teeth and money, as you reduce the likelihood of further infection or a root canal.
Whether it’s a simple or complex filling, dental filling costs can add up, especially if you need more than one dental filling. With or without insurance, we can help you get a more reasonable price for your unique needs.
Dental filling costs are not one-size-fits-all. The tooth’s location, the size of the cavity, the type of material used, and additional pre or post-filling appointments all impact dental filling costs.
A simple amalgam filling can cost around $320 for two fillings, while two porcelain fillings can cost a hefty $2,000 or more. Prices can also vary based on the state and city you are located in.
Most dental insurance plans cover up to 80% of the cost for fillings once your annual deductible is met. It’s important to clarify all of the costs of your filling and the entire process with your dentist to see if your insurance covers more than just the actual filling procedure.
Other costs to keep in mind are an X-ray, plaque cleaning and removal before the procedure, and any additional appointments needed before or after the filling. All of these costs can quickly add up and may not be fully covered by insurance, along with the cavity filling cost.
Those without dental insurance pay the full cost of dental fillings out-of-pocket. Some dentists offer payment plan options, where the full cost is not needed upfront but spread out over a couple of months or even longer.
We believe dental care should be accessible to everyone. For those without insurance, we offer savings of up to half of the cost of dental fillings.
Read more about dental procedure costs:
There are plenty of tips and tricks to save on dental costs–with or without dental insurance.
Even with insurance coverage, dental filling costs can be higher than expected. Plus, you may need to get a filling right away to prevent further infection. Always check with your provider to confirm our coverage.
All of those talented dentists who can fix your cavities with ease had to start somewhere. And dental schools are where most of them got their start. Dental schools allow students to practice dental services like X-rays, inlays, and other procedures including a dental filling on actual patients for a super low cost.
This is because the students cannot earn a profit by providing services: Most of the time, you only pay for the materials used. But don’t worry; all of the sessions are monitored by a medical professional who is there to make sure that you are receiving high-quality care.
Some dental offices offer a discount payment plan for dental work done with them. With these, you’ll pay a monthly fee and receive discounted rates on services. This is a great option without insurance, but the major drawback is you are normally limited to seeing the provider in which you have the dental discount card.
Of course, a great way to save money on dental filling costs and other dental costs is to prevent yourself from getting them in the first place. Taking good care of your teeth through flossing and brushing, visiting your dentist twice yearly for a checkup, as well as avoiding sugary and starchy foods can all work in unison to prevent tooth decay and save you money.
However, sometimes cavities happen to the best of us.
Cavity fillings are one of the most effective ways to prevent and treat tooth decay. These work by filling in the holes left in your teeth after decayed tooth material is removed. While they are common, they can be expensive if you’re left to pay for them out of pocket due to a lack of a dental insurance plan. Patients can use other options to access discounted uninsured care.
Sources:
5 Amazingly Simple Things You Can Do to Prevent Cavities | University of Illinois Chicago.
Cavities/tooth decay - Symptoms and causes | The Mayo Clinic
Dental Fillings: Materials, Types, Sensitivity & Allergy Issues | Cleveland Clinic
