With insurance, a dental filling typically costs you $50–$200 out of pocket per tooth — most dental plans cover 50–80% of the procedure after your deductible. Without that coverage, the same filling runs $150–$450. The exact number depends on the filling material, the tooth’s location, and how your specific plan classifies the work.
What You’ll Actually Pay: By Filling Type
The material is the biggest cost driver, and it’s also where insurance gets opinionated:
- Amalgam (silver) fillings: $150–$300 without insurance; often $50–$100 with it. Most plans cover these at the highest rate since they’re the cheapest option. Very durable, very visible.
- Composite (tooth-colored) fillings: $200–$450 without insurance; typically $75–$200 with it. The most popular choice — they blend in and bond well. Some plans only cover the amalgam price and make you pay the difference for composite on back teeth.
- Gold or porcelain inlays: $500–$4,500+. Rarely covered beyond the amalgam-equivalent amount, meaning you eat most of the upgrade cost.
That last point trips people up: many plans cover fillings at, say, 80% — but 80% of what the plan allows, which is usually the amalgam fee. If you choose composite on a molar, expect to pay the upgrade difference yourself. Ask for a pre-treatment estimate in writing so there are no surprises.
How Dental Insurance Handles Fillings
Fillings are usually classified as basic restorative care, which sits in the middle tier of most plans: preventive care (cleanings, exams) is covered at 100%, basic work at 50–80%, and major work (crowns, implants) at 50% or less. A few things to know:
- Deductibles apply. If your plan has a $50 annual deductible and you haven’t met it, that comes off the top.
- Annual maximums matter. Most plans cap benefits at $1,000–$2,000 per year. One filling won’t touch that; three fillings plus a crown in the same year might.
- Waiting periods exist. Some plans impose a 6–12 month wait before covering basic restorative work — a nasty surprise if you bought the plan because your tooth already hurts.
- In-network vs. out-of-network can swing your cost by 30% or more. Stay in-network when you can.
Ways to Pay Less
Get the pre-treatment estimate. Your dentist’s office can submit the treatment plan to your insurer and get back an exact breakdown of what’s covered. This takes a few days and is always worth it.
Ask about the amalgam-priced alternative. If money is tight, an amalgam filling on a back tooth you never see is a perfectly good, long-lasting option — and maximizes your insurance coverage.
Time multi-tooth work across plan years. If you need several fillings and you’re near your annual maximum, doing half in December and half in January splits the cost across two benefit years.
Consider dental schools. Accredited dental schools do quality work at 30–50% below private practice rates, supervised by licensed faculty. The appointments take longer, but the savings are real.
Look into discount plans and HSAs. Dental discount plans (not insurance — a membership that buys reduced rates) can cut 20–40% off for around $100–$200 a year. And if you have an HSA or FSA, fillings are an eligible expense.
Don’t Skip It to Save Money
Here’s the expensive truth about cavities: a $150 filling ignored becomes a $1,200 root canal, which ignored becomes a $3,000+ implant or extraction. Fillings are the cheapest intervention in dentistry precisely because they catch the problem early. If cost is the barrier, talk to the office about payment plans before you talk yourself into waiting — most practices would rather set up installments than watch a small cavity become a big one.
The ADA’s guide to dental filling options walks through each material’s trade-offs in plain language if you want to go in informed. And if you’re weighing bigger orthodontic work down the road, our breakdown of how much Invisalign costs covers that side of the ledger — plus how to clean Invisalign so the investment lasts.
FAQs
How much do fillings cost with insurance per tooth?
Most insured patients pay $50–$200 per filling out of pocket, depending on the material and their plan’s coverage level. Composite fillings on molars tend toward the higher end because some plans only cover the amalgam-equivalent cost.
Does insurance cover white fillings?
Usually yes on front teeth, where they’re considered standard. On back teeth, many plans cover only up to the cost of an amalgam filling, and you pay the difference for composite — typically an extra $50–$150 per tooth.
How many fillings will insurance cover per year?
There’s no per-filling limit on most plans — the constraint is your annual maximum benefit ($1,000–$2,000 on typical plans) and whether the work is deemed medically necessary rather than cosmetic.
Can I get a filling the same day as my exam?
Often, yes. Many dentists will do a small filling immediately after diagnosing it, especially if you ask. Larger or multi-surface fillings are usually scheduled for a follow-up visit.
Do fillings hurt?
With modern local anesthesia, the procedure itself shouldn’t hurt — you’ll feel pressure and vibration but not pain. Some sensitivity to hot and cold for a few days afterward is normal, especially with deeper fillings.
