In the U.S., a single-surface tooth filling typically runs $150–$300 without insurance; tooth, surfaces, and material change the bill.
Cavity repair prices swing a lot from clinic to clinic. The size of the decay, where the tooth sits, the number of tooth surfaces involved, and the material you pick all nudge the total. Below you’ll find clear ranges, sample bills, and easy ways to keep costs in check—so you can book with confidence and avoid surprises at checkout.
Typical Costs To Fill A Tooth: By Material And Surfaces
These self-pay ranges reflect common fees many patients see at general practices in the United States. One surface means a small spot of decay; two or more surfaces means a wider repair.
| Filling Material | One Surface (Typical) | Two+ Surfaces (Typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Amalgam (Silver) | $120–$250 | $170–$350 |
| Resin Composite (Tooth-Colored) | $150–$300 | $220–$450 |
| Glass Ionomer (Selective Uses) | $120–$250 | $180–$350 |
| Porcelain Inlay/Onlay | $600–$1,200 | $800–$1,600 |
| Gold Inlay/Onlay | $700–$1,400 | $900–$2,000 |
National price references that draw on dentist-submitted claims and ADA survey data peg simple fillings near the low end of these bands and larger, multi-surface restorations near the high end. See the ADA-based survey averages for context, which also note common add-ons like local anesthesia.
What Drives The Price Up Or Down
Tooth Location And Number Of Surfaces
Molars are harder to access and often have deeper grooves. Repairs on back teeth take more time, need extra isolation, and may cover more surfaces. Front teeth are easier to reach but call for color-matching and shaping, which can add chair time with resin composites.
Material Choice
Metal alloy is durable and budget-friendly. Resin blends in with the tooth and is the go-to in the smile zone. Ceramic or gold inlays/onlays enter crown-level pricing because they’re lab-made and require a second visit in many cases.
Visit Basics And Small Line Items
A quick filling often includes a limited exam, local anesthesia, and bite checks. Bitewing X-rays add $30–$150 in many offices. Laughing gas adds more. National estimators that cite ADA data show local anesthesia around the cost of a nice dinner and nitrous roughly double that. You’ll see those add-ons noted in the same ADA-based price ranges.
Clinic, City, And Scheduling
Large metro areas trend higher. Boutique or cosmetic-heavy clinics bill more. Evening or weekend slots can carry a premium. Membership-plan offices often post a discounted fee schedule with a yearly sign-up.
New Patient Vs. Existing Patient
New charts sometimes need a full set of X-rays and a comprehensive exam. If you were seen within the year, the office can reuse imaging, which trims the bill.
Insurance Coverage: What Plans Usually Pay
Many PPO plans label fillings as basic care. That tier often pays 50%–80% after the deductible, up to an annual maximum. Composite coverage on back teeth can be limited in some plans; the plan may pay only the metal rate and leave a “white filling” upgrade as your share. Waiting periods of 6–12 months appear in a fair number of policies. Always check the CDT code on your estimate so you can match it to your plan’s schedule.
Common CDT Codes You’ll See
Offices list codes on estimates and claim forms. A few you might spot:
- Amalgam one surface: D2140
- Amalgam two surfaces: D2150
- Resin composite one surface, front tooth: D2330
- Resin composite one surface, back tooth: D2391
- Resin composite two surfaces, back tooth: D2392
Seeing the code makes it easier to ask, “Does my plan pay the composite rate on molars or only the metal rate?”
Cost To Fill A Cavity: Real-World Ranges With And Without A Plan
Let’s pair common scenarios with the way bills usually break down. This gives you a sense of where a quote lands and why.
Small Spot On A Premolar
A one-surface resin on an upper premolar with a quick exam and two bitewings often lands near $200–$320 out of pocket if you don’t have benefits. A plan that pays 80% after a $50 deductible could pull that near $70–$110.
Two Surfaces On A Molar
A wider resin on a lower molar with four bitewings and local anesthesia can reach $280–$460 self-pay in many regions. With a 50% plan, you may see $140–$230 plus the deductible and any composite “white filling” upgrade if your plan caps the benefit to the metal rate.
When The Filling Is Too Big
Large decay may call for a lab-made inlay or onlay. That moves the visit into $800+ territory. If the nerve is involved, a root canal and a full crown change the picture entirely. In that case, the filling budget no longer applies.
How To Read A Treatment Estimate Like A Pro
Your estimate should list each line item with a code. Here’s how to scan it fast:
- Diagnosis: Exam code and X-rays. If you had recent films, ask whether they can be forwarded.
- Procedure: The filling code and number of surfaces.
- Anesthesia: Local is nearly always included; sedation adds a separate line.
- Benefits: Plan pays X%, you pay Y%, plus any composite upgrade if the plan limits posterior coverage.
Ways To Lower The Bill Without Cutting Corners
Ask For The “Metal Rate” Adjustment
If you prefer a tooth-colored filling on a back tooth and your plan pays only the metal rate, ask the office to show both numbers. Some clinics set a modest upgrade gap. Others can match the metal fee during a promo period.
Lean On Dental Schools Or Teaching Clinics
Supervised student clinics offer reduced fees and longer visits. The ADA’s consumer pages list options for low-cost care and tips for picking a plan. Start with the ADA’s guidance on paying for care.
Use A Membership Plan
Many private practices sell a plan that includes cleanings and a fixed discount on fillings. There’s no claims process, and the fee schedule is posted up front.
Schedule Two Small Repairs In One Visit
Bundling trims repeated exam or setup fees and saves time off work.
Bring Recent X-Rays
If your last films were taken within the past year, ask the previous office to transfer them. That alone can shave a nice chunk off the bill.
Material Pros, Cons, And Durability
Amalgam (Silver)
Budget-friendly and tough under chewing load. Shade is the tradeoff. Many clinics still use it in back teeth for patients who want a durable, lower-cost option.
Resin Composite (Tooth-Colored)
Blends with enamel and bonds to tooth structure. Technique matters: a dry field and careful layering help the result last. Expect higher fees on multi-surface molar work because placement takes skill and time.
Ceramic Or Gold Inlay/Onlay
Suited to wide cavities where a simple filling might flex or wear fast. Lab steps, try-ins, and precision raise the fee. The upside is strength and contour that mimic natural anatomy.
What To Expect During The Visit
Most fillings follow a steady rhythm: numb the tooth, remove decay, place the filler, check your bite, and polish. Resin fillings cure with a light; metal sets on its own. Biting tenderness over the next day is common and usually fades. Call the office if sensitivity spikes or the bite feels high—small tweaks are quick and usually free within a short window.
Aftercare Tips That Protect Your Spend
- Skip sticky foods for the rest of the day, especially near fresh resin edges.
- Use a soft brush and a pea of fluoride paste; consider a daily fluoride rinse if your dentist suggests it.
- Floss nightly to keep margins tight. Food trapped at a margin is the fast track to a replacement bill.
- Book recall cleanings so a small shadow gets fixed early as a one-surface repair rather than a crown later.
When A “Filling Price” No Longer Applies
Some cases reveal deeper decay after the old filling or soft dentin is removed. If the pulp is near exposure, a liner or a medicated base may be added. If the nerve is impacted, your dentist will pause and go over options. At that point the estimate shifts to endodontic care and a crown rather than a simple restoration.
Second Half Cost Guide: Sample Bills You Can Compare
These sample totals show how common line items stack up. Totals will vary by clinic, plan, and city, but the structure mirrors many real quotes.
| Scenario | What’s Included | Estimated Total* |
|---|---|---|
| Small Resin, One Surface (Premolar) | Limited exam, 2 bitewings, local anesthesia, D2391 | $200–$320 self-pay; $70–$110 with 80% PPO after $50 deductible |
| Two-Surface Resin (Molar) | Problem-focused exam, 4 bitewings, local anesthesia, D2392 | $280–$460 self-pay; $140–$230 with 50% PPO |
| Porcelain Onlay | Exam, imaging, provisional, lab fee, adhesive cementation | $900–$1,600 self-pay; PPO coinsurance varies |
*Ranges based on national averages and dentist-submitted charges compiled by consumer cost tools and ADA-referenced summaries. See ADA-sourced averages for fillings and line-item anesthesia examples. For low-cost access routes, review ADA guidance on paying for care.
Smart Steps Before You Book
- Ask For A Printed Estimate With Codes. Match D-codes to your plan’s fee schedule so you know the real share.
- Confirm Posterior Resin Coverage. If your plan pays the metal rate on back teeth, ask about the upgrade gap in dollars, not percentages.
- Share Recent X-Rays. Avoid repeat imaging fees when possible.
- Batch Small Repairs. One visit beats two setup fees.
- Check A Dental School Or Community Clinic. Longer visit, lower price, supervised care.
FAQ-Style Clarity Without The FAQ Box
Does Resin Always Cost More Than Metal?
On back teeth, yes in many offices. On front teeth, resin is the standard and usually the only sensible choice. The gap is small for one-surface work and wider for three-surface repairs.
Is A Filling A Long-Term Fix?
Well-placed fillings last years. Chewing habits, grinding, dry mouth, and diet matter. Regular cleanings catch edge wear before it turns into a large repair.
Can I Wait?
Small decay grows. Waiting often turns a one-surface repair into a multi-surface job. That bumps cost, time, and the chance of needing a crown later.
Quick Checklist You Can Bring To The Desk
- “Can you itemize the estimate with CDT codes?”
- “If my plan pays the metal rate on molars, what’s the resin upgrade in dollars?”
- “Can you reuse my recent X-rays?”
- “Any membership plan or same-day pay discount?”
- “If decay is larger than expected, will you pause and review options?”
Bottom Line On Price And Value
A small repair today is almost always cheaper than a large one next season. Get a written estimate, ask two quick coverage questions, and plan the visit. The ranges above will keep your expectations grounded, and the links provided show national benchmarks and ways to trim the total without cutting quality.