How much is a filling without insurance?
Sample filling prices
We looked for a national price from a government agency or research group and did not find a trusted one. A few clinics post their fees, and those fees show how the price grows with the size of the cavity.
A cavity is a hole in a tooth caused by decay. A filling is the material the dentist uses to close the hole. One university dental clinic's 2025-2026 patient fee list prices fillings by the number of tooth surfaces they cover. Prices at a private dental office near you may be higher or lower. A bigger cavity takes more time and more material, so the price rises with each added surface.
- Silver-colored fillings, called amalgam, are listed at $170 for one surface, $209 for two, $252 for three and $300 for four.
- Tooth-colored fillings for a back tooth, called composite or resin, are listed at $207 for one surface. They are $270 for two, $332 for three and $400 for four or more.
- A tooth-colored filling in a front tooth is listed at $188 for one surface and $233 for two.
North Dakota Medicaid's fee schedule dated July 1, 2026 pays a dentist $120.68 for an adult's one-surface tooth-colored filling in a back tooth. Montana Medicaid's schedule dated July 1, 2025 pays $79.04. These are what Medicaid pays dentists and are not cash prices.
Why two fillings can cost different amounts
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, called NIDCR, says dentists use several filling materials, including tooth-colored composite and silver-colored amalgam. It says composite is used more and more because many people prefer the look.
The fee list above shows what that choice can do to a bill. The tooth-colored filling costs more than the silver one at every size. A front tooth is priced differently from a back tooth. Your dentist knows which materials suit your tooth, so ask which ones are options.
Surfaces are the sides of a tooth, and a cavity on one side is a one-surface filling. A cavity that wraps around to a second or third side raises the price by the step shown above. That is why a small cavity found early generally costs less than a large one.
What happens if a cavity is left alone?
NIDCR says that if tooth decay is not treated, it can cause pain, infection and even tooth loss. It also says more severe decay can cause a large hole or destroy the whole tooth. This is general information and is not dental advice.
A bigger problem usually costs more to fix. A tooth with deep decay might need a crown, a root canal or removal instead. You can see how those prices are built in our guides on the crown cost and the root canal cost.
If cost worries you, call a few offices and ask each one about lower fees.
The first visit can add to the bill
Most fillings start with an exam and X-rays, since the dentist needs to see how deep the decay goes. On the university fee list above, a regular checkup exam is $70 and a single X-ray picture is $35. A panoramic X-ray is $130, and it is one large picture of the whole mouth.
Some offices fold the exam into the first visit, and others bill it alone. If you already have recent X-rays from another office, ask the new office whether it will accept copies. That could save you from paying for new pictures.
Tell the office you are paying without insurance when you book. Then ask for the price of the exam before you come in.
Where a filling may cost less
Dental school clinics let students treat patients while licensed dentists watch. One such clinic's page puts student fees at 40 to 60 percent under private practice fees. It adds that the price rises with the complexity of the work. Plan on longer visits than you would have at a private office.
Community health centers set fees by income and family size, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration. Not every center has dental care, so call and find out. Our guide on sliding scale clinics explains how those fee discounts work. Our guide on dental care without insurance lists more low-cost places to try.
Your state or local health department may know of dental programs, and the national helpline 2-1-1 can point to local services. For children, Medicaid must cover dental care that includes restoring teeth. Adult Medicaid dental coverage depends on your state.
How to ask for a clear price
Fillings are easy to compare if you ask the right questions. Start by asking for the self-pay price, which is the price for people who pay without insurance. Then bring up each of the points below.
- Ask how many surfaces your filling covers and what the price is for that.
- Find out which material the price is for and what the other material costs.
- Check whether the exam or X-ray is part of the price or a separate charge.
- Ask the dentist to stop and give you a price first if more decay turns up.
- Ask if the office offers an income-based discount or a payment plan.
Our guide on asking for the cash price has a script you can read from. If you are given a long treatment plan, you can ask which parts are most urgent and which can be scheduled later. That is a question for the dentist, and we cannot answer it.
When a filling problem becomes urgent
The Foundation's directory lists physicians, and it does not list dentists. A doctor can still look at pain or swelling in your face and point you to the right place. To look for one, search for a cash-pay doctor on our site.
If a tooth infection comes with a fever and swelling in your face and you cannot reach a dentist, go to an emergency room. Trouble breathing or swallowing is a reason to call 911 or go to the ER right away, because the infection may be spreading. Call 911 or go to the nearest ER in any emergency.
Common questions
Is a tooth-colored filling more expensive than a silver one?
Yes, on one university dental clinic's 2025-2026 fee list it costs more. A one-surface silver filling is $170 and a one-surface tooth-colored filling in a back tooth is $207. Ask your own dentist for the prices at your office.
Why did my filling cost more than the first quote?
The price depends on how many surfaces of the tooth the filling covers. A dentist may learn the true size only once the decay is cleaned out. Ask the office before the visit whether the quote can change and by how much.
Does Medicare cover fillings?
Original Medicare generally does not cover routine dental care such as fillings, according to Medicare. Some Medicare Advantage plans, which are sold by private insurers, add dental benefits. Check your own plan before you book anything.
Can I get a filling at a dental school?
Many dental schools treat patients in student clinics, with licensed dentists watching. Call to ask if they take new patients and how long the wait is. A first visit often includes an exam and X-rays, which can carry their own fee.
What if I need several fillings?
Ask for a written plan that lists each tooth and its price. You can ask the dentist which fillings are most urgent and whether the work can be spread over several visits. A payment plan can also make the cost easier to carry.
This guide is general information, not medical, legal or tax advice. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.