Need Dental Fillings?
If you’ve ever had a cavity, you’ve probably had a tooth filling. Paying for dental fillings, especially if you need multiple ones, can be tough, particularly if you have no dental insurance. However, it is possible. Below is some information on how much tooth fillings cost without insurance, what types of fillings you might get to fill a cavity and a cost breakdown for how much these same fillings cost using an affordable dental insurance alternative like a discount dental plan.
How Much Does a Tooth Filling Cost?
A tooth filling can cost anywhere from $150 to $530 without insurance. It depends on the type of filling you need. Below is a list of different types of fillings and the average prices for each.
| Average Cost of Dental Fillings | |
| Type of Filling | Cost Without Insurance |
| Amalgam - One Surface, Primary or Permanent | $211 |
| Amalgam - Two Surfaces, Primary or Permanent | $266 |
| Amalgam - Three Surfaces, Primary or Permanent | $324 |
| Amalgam - Four or More Surfaces, Primary or Permanent | $383 |
| Resin-Based Composite - One Surface, Anterior | $241 |
| Resin-Based Composite - Two Surfaces, Anterior | $292 |
| Resin-Based Composite - Three Surfaces, Anterior | $358 |
| Resin-Based Composite - Four or More Surfaces, Anterior | $447 |
| Resin-Based Composite - One Surface, Posterior | $265 |
| Resin-Based Composite - Two Surfaces, Posterior | $334 |
| Resin-Based Composite - Three Surfaces, Posterior | $413 |
| Resin-Based Composite - Four or More Surfaces, Posterior | $484 |
Why Do I Need to Get a Filling?
Your dentist may recommend a filling for several reasons.
- You have tooth decay - the most common culprit - and need a cavity filling.
- You have a cracked or broken tooth that needs to be repaired.
- You bite your nails, which has worn down on your teeth.
- You experience bruxism, or tooth grinding, also causing wear and tear on your teeth.
- You are consistently using your teeth to open things. This can cause damage to your teeth—at most, chipping or breaking your teeth.
Types of Fillings
Many dentists will have fillings they prefer to use on their patients’ teeth, but there are many options to choose from. Here are the five types of fillings available for you, with a detailed explanation of some of their pros and cons:
- Silver Amalgam: Silver amalgam fillings are similar to gold fillings in that they offer great strength and durability, but they can be purchased at a much lower price. Unfortunately, amalgam fillings are more prone to expanding and contracting on the tooth, which makes more likely to crack the tooth compared to other types of fillings.
- Composite: These fillings are made of a tooth-colored composite so they blend in with your teeth. Composite fillings tend to be the most popular because of that feature. However, they are not as durable as other types of fillings and need to be replaced every years, which is something to take into consideration.
- Gold: Gold fillings can last up to 15 years because they are sturdy and non-corrosive. Many people find gold fillings more appealing than silver fillings because of how they look. However, these fillings can cost up to ten times more than silver fillings and more than one dental office visit to fit them properly.
- Ceramic: Often made of porcelain, ceramic fillings are durable and pleasing to the eye, but they do wear down on the opposing teeth because of their rough material.
- Glass ionomers: These fillings are the best for children since their teeth are still changing. They tend to last less than five years, but they do their job of helping prevent tooth decay.
Fillings and a Dental Savings Plan
Paying for fillings can seem like an overwhelming feat after looking at the prices listed above, but it is possible. Consider a dental insurance alternative like the Careington Care 500 Plan or Dental Plan (powered by the Aetna Dental Access network).
These are nationwide plans that can help those without insurance save a significant amount of money at the dentist. After seeing the prices listed above for what typical fillings would cost at the dentist for someone with no dental insurance, see the prices below for people who live in California, New York and Texas who have a discount dental plan:
California Careington Members
- Amalgam – One Surface, Primary or Permanent: $62
- Amalgam – Two Surfaces, Primary or Permanent:: $83
- Amalgam – Three Surfaces, Primary or Permanent: $100
- Amalgam – Four or More Surfaces, Primary or Permanent: $122
- Resin – Based Composite – One Surface, Anterior: $77
- Resin – Based Composite – Two Surfaces, Anterior: $98
- Resin – Based Composite – Three Surfaces, Anterior: $126
- Resin – Based Composite – Four or More Surfaces, Anterior: $157
- Resin – Based Composite – One Surface, Posterior: $87
- Resin – Based Composite – Two Surfaces, Posterior: $122
- Resin – Based Composite – Three Surfaces, Posterior: $157
- Resin – Based Composite – Four or More Surfaces, Posterior: $185
New York Members
- Amalgam – One Surface, Primary or Permanent: $62
- Amalgam – Two Surfaces, Primary or Permanent:: $80
- Amalgam – Three Surfaces, Primary or Permanent: $94
- Amalgam – Four or More Surfaces, Primary or Permanent: $116
- Resin – Based Composite – One Surface, Anterior: $80
- Resin – Based Composite – Two Surfaces, Anterior: $95
- Resin – Based Composite – Three Surfaces, Anterior: $121
- Resin – Based Composite – Four or More Surfaces, Anterior: $152
- Resin – Based Composite – One Surface, Posterior: $101
- Resin – Based Composite – Two Surfaces, Posterior: $146
- Resin – Based Composite – Three Surfaces, Posterior: $187
- Resin – Based Composite – Four or More Surfaces, Posterior: $216
Texas Members
- Amalgam – One Surface, Primary or Permanent: $47
- Amalgam – Two Surfaces, Primary or Permanent:: $60
- Amalgam – Three Surfaces, Primary or Permanent: $71
- Amalgam – Four or More Surfaces, Primary or Permanent: $86
- Resin – Based Composite – One Surface, Anterior: $60
- Resin – Based Composite – Two Surfaces, Anterior: $72
- Resin – Based Composite – Three Surfaces, Anterior: $90
- Resin – Based Composite – Four or More Surfaces, Anterior: $116
- Resin – Based Composite – One Surface, Posterior: $75
- Resin – Based Composite – Two Surfaces, Posterior: $111
- Resin – Based Composite – Three Surfaces, Posterior: $141
- Resin – Based Composite – Four or More Surfaces, Posterior: $162
Note: The prices listed above reflect what you can expect to pay at a general dentist that accepts our Careington Care 500 plan, not at a specialist. Specialists in our Careington Care 500 network have agreed to a flat 20% off their prices, which may vary depending on the specialist you see. Add the Dental Access Plan to get 15-50% off at general dentists and specialists, which we recommend when seeing a specialist.
Conclusion
Talk to your dentist about which filling is best for you and how much that filling will cost. Some dentists are willing to work out payment plans for you. Also, consider purchasing one of our discount dental plans. They’ll help cut the cost for you so you can improve your oral health.
Find Dental Plans Near Me for Fillings
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What members are saying:
"I saved roughly $150 when I went in to get a filling replaced."
- Kollin J.
"...the very next day! I saved on my cleaning, X-rays, oral surgery extraction, a filling and my bridge."
- Nova C, KY
"...the $540 cost for replacing 2 fillings became $208 when I checked out."
- Jim R, GA