Cavity filling cost by surface and material
Cavity filling cost rises with the number of tooth surfaces the filling covers: a one-surface composite on a back tooth typically runs $230, while a three-surface one runs $340. A surface is one face of the tooth (chewing side, cheek side, tongue side, front or back contact), and dentists bill each combination under its own code, so ask how many surfaces your cavity involves.
| Filling | Low | Typical | High | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Composite, front tooth, 1 surface D2330 | $150 | $230 | $320 | Published fee data |
Composite, back tooth, 1 surface D2391 | $150 | $230 | $350 | Published fee data |
Composite, back tooth, 2 surfaces D2392 | $190 | $290 | $410 | Published fee data |
Composite, back tooth, 3 surfaces D2393 | $230 | $340 | $480 | Published fee data |
Amalgam (silver), 1 surface D2140 | $130 | $200 | $280 | VA-scaled range |
Amalgam (silver), 2 surfaces D2150 | $160 | $250 | $360 | VA-scaled range |
The composite rows rest on the ADA Survey of Dental Fees: the 2022 survey put a filling at about $213 per tooth in 2024 dollars (middle half $176–$248), and the 2020 survey put a three-surface back-tooth composite at about $295.[1][2] We brought both to 2026 dollars with the dental services price index.[3] For amalgam, the VA's 2026 schedule of reasonable dental charges puts the 80th-percentile U.S. charge at about $241 for one surface (D2140) and $308 for two (D2150); our ranges scale those figures to typical fees the same way our sourced codes compare with them.[5] The University of Maryland dental school's student clinic charges about $93 and $112 for the same codes.[6]
How much will a filling cost without insurance, with the exam?
Expect the visit to cost more than the filling alone, because a new problem is usually diagnosed with an exam and at least one X-ray first. In 2024, the median self-paid dental visit for fillings or crowns cost $342, and one in four cost $838 or more, according to the federal Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.[4] If you are due for a checkup anyway, the exam and bitewing X-rays may be bundled into that visit instead; see dental cleaning, exam and X-ray prices.
Worked example: two fillings in Atlanta
Two two-surface composite fillings on back teeth in Atlanta typically cost about $590, or about $745 with a problem exam and one X-ray. Atlanta's geographic adjustment factor is 1.030.
| Line item | Code | Typical |
|---|---|---|
| Problem-focused exam | D0140 | $115 |
| Single X-ray | D0220 | $40 |
| Composite, 2 surfaces × 2 teeth | D2392 | $590 |
| Total | $745 |
Why one tooth filling price is higher than another
| Factor | Effect | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Number of surfaces | Each extra surface adds about $50–$60 at typical fees | Bigger cavity, more material and chair time |
| Front vs back tooth | Back teeth cost a little more | Harder to reach and isolate; heavier chewing load |
| Composite vs amalgam | Amalgam is usually cheaper | Tooth-colored resin is placed in layers and takes longer |
| Your area | Below or above the national average | Rent and staff wages; the estimator applies your area's factor |
| List price vs cash price | Insurers pay about 72% of list | Self-pay patients are often quoted the full list price[7] |
When a cavity is so large that little tooth is left, a dentist may recommend a crown instead; compare with crown cost. A cavity that reaches the nerve can need a root canal, priced on the root canal cost page.
Common mistakes with filling quotes
- Getting a price "per filling" without the surface count. A one-surface and a three-surface filling on the same tooth differ by about $110 at typical fees.
- Waiting until it hurts. Cost is a common reason to delay: in 2025, 12.9% of Americans, and 17.0% of adults aged 19–64, said they did not get needed dental care because of cost.[8] Ask about a payment plan before you postpone.
- Not asking for the cash price. Offices set one list price, but many will tell you what they accept from self-pay patients if you ask before treatment.
Ways to pay less for a filling
- Use a community health center. Health centers must offer a sliding fee discount based on income, with the full discount at or below the poverty line.[11] See sliding scale clinics.
- Try a dental school. Clinics may charge reduced rates, with students supervised by licensed dentists.[9][10]
- Ask for a written estimate with the codes and surfaces before treatment; uninsured patients have a right to a good faith estimate for scheduled care.[12]
- Group several fillings into one visit when your dentist agrees, so you pay for one exam and one set of X-rays.
- Pay with HSA or FSA money. The IRS lists fillings among deductible dental expenses.[13] An interest-free office plan is the next best option: see dental payment plans.
Tooth pain on a weekend?A filling can usually wait for a regular appointment, but swelling or severe pain cannot. See what an emergency dentist costs without insurance.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a cavity filling without insurance?
About $150–$350 for a one-surface tooth-colored filling on a back tooth, $190–$410 for two surfaces and $230–$480 for three, at national self-pay prices. A front-tooth one-surface filling runs about $150–$320.
What is the tooth filling cost without insurance for a silver filling?
About $130–$280 for one surface and $160–$360 for two. These scale the VA's 2026 reasonable-charge schedule (about $241 and $308 at the 80th percentile) to typical fees.[5]
How much will a filling cost without insurance if I also need an exam?
Add about $110 for a problem-focused exam and $40 for a single X-ray at typical national fees. The 2024 median self-paid visit for fillings or crowns was $342.[4]
Is a filling cheaper at a dental school?
Usually. The ADA says school clinics may offer reduced rates and some limit charges to the cost of materials, but visits take longer.[9]
Sources
- Oral Health Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Resealing First Permanent Molars (2022 ADA fee survey in 2024 dollars)
- Irreversible pulpitis in mature permanent teeth: a cost-effectiveness analysis of pulpotomy versus root canal treatment (fees from the 2020 ADA Survey of Dental Fees)
- Consumer Price Index, dental services, U.S. city average (series CUUR0000SEMC02)
- MEPS HC-254B: 2024 Dental Visits public-use file
- Reasonable Charges v5.26, Table I: Outpatient Dental Professional Nationwide Charges (80th percentile of charges; FAIR Health dental data and other sources)
- Fee Schedule (Clinic Manual, Patient Administration), student clinic column
- Pricing in commercial dental insurance and provider markets (Nasseh, Bowblis, Vujicic)
- National Trends in Dental Care Use, Dental Insurance Coverage, and Cost Barriers
- Places to Look for Affordable Dental Care
- Finding Dental Care
- Health Center Program Compliance Manual, Chapter 9: Sliding Fee Discount Program
- Good faith estimate guide (No Surprises Act, uninsured and self-pay patients)
- Publication 502 (2025), Medical and Dental Expenses