How Much Do Dental Fillings Cost? Pricing and Procedure Guide

Dental decay is a very common issue that affects the majority of adults. In fact, around 90% of adults have experienced tooth decay, and the average person has between five and eight dental fillings in their mouth because of it.¹ The most common treatment used to help repair teeth damaged by cavities and broken or cracked teeth is dental fillings.

So what is the right type of material to use for any particular dental filling needs? Determining this depends on several factors, including where the filling is located, the patient's medical history, aesthetic needs or preferences and financial availability.

What Are Dental Fillings?

Dental fillings are used to restore or repair a tooth that is cracked, broken or damaged by decay. Tooth fillings are primarily used to fill in cavities, which are holes formed within the tooth due to decay. However, dental fillings can also help repair cracked or broken teeth that occur due to damage or normal wear and tear.²

Types of Dental Fillings

There are various types of dental fillings made from different materials, including:³

• Silver amalgam, which is a combination of silver, mercury, tin and copper⁴
• Tooth-colored composite resin, which is a combination of acrylic resin and powdered glass that closely matches the color of your natural teeth⁴
• Gold, which is a mixture of gold and other metals such as silver, zinc palladium, copper and platinum³
• Porcelain ceramic, which contains resin reinforced with ceramic glass quartz and silica³
• Glass ionomer, which is a combination of acrylic material and glass⁴

How Much Do Dental Fillings Cost?

Dental filling costs vary depending on the material used. Silver amalgam fillings are the least expensive, costing as low as $108 per tooth, while gold fillings are typically almost four times more expensive than silver.⁵ Both gold and porcelain ceramic fillings are the most expensive, reaching up to $1,774 each.⁵

Below you'll find the average tooth filling cost by type.

The average cost of dental fillings can vary based on several factors, including:⁷

• The number of teeth in need of repair. The more teeth you need filled, the more expensive the bill.
• The type of filling materials used. Silver amalgam is typically the least expensive option. Gold and porcelain ceramic are the most costly options.
• The size of the cavity in the mouth. Larger cavities require more filling material and will cost more than smaller ones.
• The complexity of the procedure. Tooth fillings that are very deep will require more time and materials for your doctor to deal with.
• Your regional area or location. Doctors in large urban areas will typically charge more for their services than those in rural ones.
• Whether your doctor uses sedation. If you or your doctor feel that you need sedation rather than just a local anesthetic shot during the procedure, this may add to the total bill.

Are Tooth Fillings Covered by Dental Insurance?

Most dental insurance plans cover some or all of the cost of a dental filling. Any difference in cost will likely be an out-of-pocket expense. Check with your dental insurance provider to determine your specific benefits, including any deductible or copay requirements.⁷

If you do not have dental insurance, the average out-of-pocket cost for tooth fillings is outlined in the chart displayed earlier in this article.

Good Candidates for Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are generally considered safe and are a must for anyone who has a cavity or tooth decay.⁸ In fact, catching and filling cavities as early as possible prevents further tooth decay and more expensive procedures like root canals.² Root canals average around $1,165 to treat.⁵

You are likely a candidate for a dental filling if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:²

• Pain in your tooth
• A hole in your tooth
• Tooth discoloration
• Tooth sensitivity
• A persistent bad taste in your mouth

How Long Do Dental Fillings Last?

How long your dental filling lasts depends on the material it's made from:³

• Silver amalgam dental fillings last around 10 to 15 years.
• Gold fillings can last 10 to 30 years.
• Tooth-colored composite fillings last around five to seven years. Those placed on a surface that you regularly bite on can wear out faster than others.
• Porcelain ceramic fillings can last up to 10 years.
• Glass ionomer fillings have the shortest life span, lasting around five years.

To make your fillings last longer, practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing daily. Eating a healthy diet will ensure you get the proper vitamins and minerals you need to maintain good oral health, too. You should also visit your dentist for regular dental cleanings, stop smoking¹ and avoid grinding your teeth or biting your nails.⁹

You'll need to get and pay for a new dental filling if your old one becomes worn, discolored, loose, painful or falls out, indicating that it has failed.¹⁰

How Does a Tooth Filling Work?

Your dentist will perform your filling in their office, and the procedure usually takes around an hour or less to complete. Most dentists can even perform two or more fillings per visit, depending on how complex they are.¹¹

Note that indirect fillings, usually made of gold or porcelain ceramic, will require two visits to complete because a separate lab must prepare them. These fillings are only given if you don't have enough tooth structure to support a traditional filling.³

Preparation

Before your tooth filling, your doctor will physically examine the tooth you are experiencing problems with for signs of a cavity. They will also likely take an X-ray of the area to check on the tooth's condition.¹²

Speak with your doctor to see if getting a filling is safe for you and if you'll need to stop taking any medications prior to the procedure.¹³ You'll also need to let your doctor know if you are pregnant because it may influence what type of filling they recommend for you.⁷

Generally, there aren't any special preparations you need to do prior to your filling, unless you are getting general anesthesia, in which case you'll need to stop eating and drinking at least six hours prior to the procedure.⁷

Procedure

During a tooth filling procedure, your doctor will:¹¹

• Inject a local anesthetic into the gums around the tooth to numb it
• Remove the parts of the tooth damaged by decay using a drill, air abrasion instrument or laser
• Clean away bacteria and debris from the area they are filling
• Mix and apply the filling into the hole they have created. For some types of fillings, your dentist will use a blue wavelength light to cure and harden them.
• Refine, polish and shape the filling

Potential Risks and Side Effects of Tooth Fillings

According to the American Dental Association, getting a tooth filling is safe, even if you are pregnant.¹⁴ However, while the amount of mercury contained in silver amalgam fillings is considered safe by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), you should avoid getting a silver amalgam filling due to its mercury content if you:⁸

• Are pregnant or nursing
• Have kidney problems
• Are a child, especially those under 6 years old
• Have a neurological disease
• Are allergic to mercury or other components of the filling like silver, copper or tin

Can dental fillings fail?

Yes, dental fillings can fail over time due to wear and tear. A failed filling is a dental emergency because it can lead to a root canal, dental crown or even tooth extraction without immediate care.¹⁰

• The annual failure rate of composite resin fillings is between 3% and 11%.¹⁵ Overall, composite resin fillings may have almost double the failure rate of silver amalgam fillings.¹⁶
• The main reason that most dental fillings fail is due to the formation of secondary cavities and cracks in the filling itself, which can cause further tooth decay and infection.¹⁵

What to do if your filling fails

If your filling fails and becomes infected, you'll need to visit your dentist. Signs that your filling has failed include:¹⁰

• Pain in the tooth that doesn't resolve
• Extreme sensitivity in the tooth
• You notice a crack in the filling
• Some or all of the filling falls out

Should your filling fail, your dentist will have to redo the filling in the same area, which will cost around the same amount as the original filling if done in the same material. However, in some cases, you may need a root canal or crown, depending on the condition of the tooth.¹⁰

Tips for Recovering From a Tooth Filling

After having your tooth filled, you can take some steps to ensure a speedy recovery:⁷

• Do not eat or drink anything until the anesthetic has worn off, usually within two to seven hours.¹¹
• Eat only soft foods for the first 24 hours of recovery, avoiding anything hard or sticky so you won't accidentally damage the filling.
• Avoid very hot or cold food and drinks, which can irritate the tooth in the first few days of recovery when it is most sensitive.¹⁷
• Practice good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing to keep bacteria away.
• Follow your doctor's instructions and take any pain medication your doctor prescribes, as directed.¹⁷
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid brushing the filling directly for a few days after the procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Fillings

You probably have additional questions about what fillings are made of, what they look like, if getting one is painful and more. Check out the answers to these common questions below.

Financing Dental Fillings With the CareCredit Credit Card

Whether you're getting dental fillings or you're simply paying for a dental exam, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.^* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist or oral surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit. Use the CareCredit credit card, again and again, to pay for your health and wellness wants and needs, and download the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to dental care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for pet care, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Susan Paretts is a freelance writer with 19 years of experience covering health and wellness, pet care and more. Her work has been published by the American Kennel Club, Bayer Animal Health, Elanco, LIVESTRONG.com, The San Francisco Chronicle, Chewy and more.