A tooth filling in the US usually costs $170 to $450 without insurance, and the national average for a tooth-colored composite filling is about $260, based on ADA fee survey data updated in May 2026. A small one-surface filling on a back tooth sits near the bottom of that range. A large filling that wraps around three or four surfaces of a molar can run $400 to $600. Silver amalgam is usually $30 to $80 cheaper per filling than composite.
With a typical PPO dental plan, fillings fall under “basic” services, which most plans pay at 70% to 80% after the deductible. That leaves many insured patients paying somewhere between $40 and $120 for a routine filling. The rest of this guide explains why two fillings in the same mouth can have very different prices, how insurance math really works, and when a filling stops being the right fix.
Why filling prices vary so much
Dentists bill fillings by material and by the number of tooth surfaces the filling covers. Each tooth has up to five surfaces: the chewing surface, the cheek side, the tongue side and the two sides that touch neighboring teeth. A cavity that only touches the chewing surface is a one-surface filling. A cavity that starts between two molars and spreads onto the top is often a two- or three-surface filling, and the fee climbs with each added surface.
Other factors that move the price:
- Front vs. back teeth. Composite on back teeth (molars and premolars) is billed under different codes than front teeth and usually costs more, because the tooth is harder to reach and has to hold up to heavier chewing.
- Location. Fees in large metro areas on the coasts tend to run higher than in rural areas and much of the South and Midwest.
- Extra steps. A deep cavity may need a protective liner, and an anxious patient may add nitrous oxide, which is often billed separately at roughly $50 to $100 a visit.
- Exam and X-rays. If you are a new patient, the first visit may include an exam and bitewing X-rays before any filling is placed. Those are separate line items.
Filling materials compared
Most US practices now place composite (tooth-colored resin) by default. Amalgam is still available in many offices and is still covered by most plans. Other materials are used in specific situations. The ranges below are typical per-tooth fees without insurance and will vary by office and region.
| Material | Typical cost per tooth (no insurance) | Typical lifespan | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite (tooth-colored resin) | $170 to $450; large multi-surface up to about $600 | About 5 to 10 years or more | Visible teeth, small to medium cavities, most adults |
| Amalgam (silver) | Usually $30 to $80 less than composite for the same tooth | Often 10 to 15 years | Large cavities on back molars where looks matter less |
| Glass ionomer | Often similar to or a bit below composite | Shorter, often under 5 years | Baby teeth, root-surface cavities near the gumline, temporary fixes |
| Inlay or onlay (porcelain or gold) | Roughly $650 to $1,500 or more | Often 10 to 20 years | Cavities too big for a filling but not quite needing a crown |
On durability, amalgam has a longer track record on molars. Composite has improved a lot and bonds directly to the tooth, so the dentist can remove less healthy structure. In 2020 the FDA recommended that certain higher-risk groups avoid new amalgam fillings when possible and appropriate, including people who are pregnant, nursing or planning pregnancy, children under 6, and people with kidney problems, certain neurological conditions or a known mercury sensitivity. The FDA does not recommend removing existing amalgam fillings that are in good shape, because drilling them out releases more mercury vapor than leaving them alone. You can read the details on the FDA dental amalgam page.
What you pay with dental insurance
Most dental plans follow a 100-80-50 pattern: preventive care at 100%, basic care such as fillings at around 80%, and major work such as crowns at 50%. Some plans pay basic care at 70%. The plan’s annual deductible, often $50 per person, usually applies to fillings but not to cleanings.
Two details catch people off guard:
- The amalgam downgrade. Some plans, especially older employer plans, pay for composite on back teeth only at the amalgam rate. You pay the gap between the two fees on top of your coinsurance. The explanation of benefits will usually show this as an “alternate benefit.”
- The annual maximum. Many plans cap total yearly benefits at $1,000 to $2,000. Several fillings plus a crown can use up the maximum by midyear, and everything after that is full price until the plan year resets.
Example: Maria needs a two-surface composite filling on a lower molar. Her dentist’s in-network fee is $280. She has not met her $50 deductible this year, and her plan pays basic services at 80%. She pays the first $50, then 20% of the remaining $230, which is $46. Her total is $96, and the plan pays $184. If her plan had an amalgam downgrade and the in-network amalgam fee were $210, the plan would pay 80% of $160 ($210 minus her deductible), or $128, and Maria would owe $152.
Paying for a filling without insurance
If you do not have dental coverage, the sticker price is not always what you have to pay. Options that can bring the cost down:
- Ask for the cash or self-pay price. Many private offices have a lower fee for patients who pay in full at the visit, often 5% to 15% off.
- Dental school clinics. Students do the work under licensed faculty supervision. Fees are often well below private-practice rates, but visits take longer and you may wait for an opening.
- Community health centers. Federally funded health centers offer dental care on a sliding fee scale based on income. You can search for one at FindaHealthCenter.hrsa.gov.
- Dental savings plans. These are membership discounts, not insurance. You pay an annual fee, often around $100 to $200 for an individual, and get a set discount at participating dentists, with no annual maximum or waiting period. They pay off mainly if you expect more than one or two procedures in the year.
Example: Jordan has no insurance and needs three fillings. The office quotes $260 each, or $780. A local dental savings plan costs $129 a year and lists a 25% discount at that office, bringing the fillings to $585. Adding the membership fee, he pays $714, saving $66 this year, and the discount also applies to his next cleaning. If he only needed one filling, the plan would have cost more than it saved.
When a filling is not the right fix
A filling works when enough healthy tooth is left to support it. Your dentist may suggest something else in these situations:
- The cavity covers a large part of the tooth. If more than about half the chewing surface is gone, a large filling can crack the remaining walls. An onlay or crown spreads the biting force better.
- The decay reaches the nerve. Lingering pain to hot or cold, or pain that wakes you up, can mean the pulp is involved. That usually means a root canal and then a crown, which costs far more than a filling.
- Very early decay. Small white spots in the enamel can sometimes be reversed with prescription fluoride and better brushing. Some dentists will watch these spots and recheck them at the next visit instead of drilling.
Waiting usually costs more. A cavity that would have needed a $200 filling this year can grow into a root canal and crown costing $2,000 or more if it reaches the nerve.
What happens at a filling appointment
A routine filling usually takes 20 minutes to an hour, depending on size. Here is the usual sequence:
- The dentist confirms the cavity with an exam and X-rays, if recent ones are not on file.
- The area is numbed with a local anesthetic. A numbing gel goes on first so the injection is less noticeable.
- The decayed part of the tooth is removed with a drill or, in some offices, a laser.
- For composite, the tooth is etched, a bonding agent is applied, and the resin goes on in thin layers, each hardened with a blue curing light.
- The dentist shapes the filling, checks your bite with marking paper and polishes the surface.
- You may stay numb for two to three hours. Avoid chewing on that side until the numbness wears off so you do not bite your cheek or tongue.
Some sensitivity to cold or biting pressure for a few days to two weeks is common, especially after a deep filling. If biting still hurts after a few days, the filling may be slightly high, and a quick adjustment at no charge usually fixes it.
Common questions
How much does a filling cost without insurance?
Most fillings run $170 to $450 without insurance, with a national average near $260 for composite. Large fillings covering three or four surfaces can reach $600. Ask for a written quote with the procedure code before treatment so there are no surprises.
Are tooth-colored fillings covered by insurance?
Usually, yes. Most PPO plans cover composite on front teeth, and many also cover it on back teeth. Some older plans only pay the amalgam rate for back teeth, and you pay the difference. Check your plan documents for the words “alternate benefit.”
How long does a filling last?
Composite fillings commonly last around 5 to 10 years or longer, and amalgam often lasts 10 to 15 years. Grinding your teeth, a high-sugar diet and the size of the filling all shorten that. Regular checkups catch worn or leaking fillings before new decay forms underneath.
Can I get a filling the same day?
Often, yes. Many offices can place a small filling at the same visit where the cavity is found if there is time on the schedule. Insurance does not usually require pre-approval for routine fillings, though it is worth asking if the fee is high.
Do baby teeth with cavities need fillings?
Often they do, because baby molars stay in place until around age 10 to 12 and an untreated cavity can cause pain or infection. Dentists sometimes use glass ionomer or silver diamine fluoride on baby teeth to slow decay at a lower cost.
Before you book
- Ask for the procedure code, the number of surfaces and the material in writing.
- Call your insurer or check the member portal for your remaining annual maximum and deductible.
- Ask whether your plan has an amalgam downgrade on back teeth.
- If you are uninsured, ask about a self-pay discount and compare one dental school or community clinic quote.
- If you need several fillings, ask the dentist which are urgent and which can wait for the next plan year.
Editorial note: This article is general information, not medical or financial advice. Costs were checked as of November 2026 and vary by office, region and plan; confirm treatment options with your dentist and coverage with your dental insurer.