$108–$256 published range. Durable, silver-colored direct restoration.
Cost sourceCompare dental filling costs by material, cavity size and treatment complexity. This guide explains composite tooth-colored fillings, silver amalgam, glass ionomer, gold and ceramic restorations, how many tooth surfaces affect the fee, what dental insurance may pay, when a filling becomes too large for a simple restoration, how long different fillings can last, and what published U.S. cost references mean for your budget.
CareCredit's January 10, 2025 filling guide, based on 2024 U.S. cost research, reports filling costs from $108 to $1,774 per tooth depending mainly on material and treatment type. These are planning references, not 2026 local fee quotes.
$108–$256 published range. Durable, silver-colored direct restoration.
Cost source$173–$439 range. Tooth-colored filling used on front or back teeth.
ADA composite guide$116–$285 range. Used selectively where lower load or fluoride-releasing material is useful.
$361–$817 range. Often an indirect inlay/onlay made outside the mouth.
$755–$1,774 range. Often a lab/CAD-CAM inlay or onlay rather than a simple direct filling.
A tiny cavity and a tooth with a large broken cusp are not the same restoration. As more tooth structure is lost, the dentist may need a larger filling, an inlay/onlay or a crown instead of simply adding more filling material.
A simplified cutaway showing decay entering a chewing surface before restorative treatment.
Clinical note: Cleveland Clinic describes fillings as treatment for cavities and minor chips or cracks. When damage is more extensive, another restoration such as an inlay, onlay or crown may be more appropriate.
Dental filling cost usually covers removing decayed or damaged tooth structure, cleaning and preparing the area, placing the restorative material, shaping the filling to the bite and polishing or finishing it. Local anesthesia is commonly part of the procedure, while X-rays, sedation or additional treatment may be billed separately.
The price is usually quoted per tooth, but a tooth can have one or several surfaces involved. A tiny chewing-surface cavity can require much less time and material than decay extending between teeth and down toward the gumline. The restoration material also matters: a direct amalgam or composite is different from an indirect ceramic or gold inlay/onlay fabricated outside the mouth.
CareCredit's filling guide reports national ranges using 2024 U.S. research. The ADA's current MouthHealthy guidance confirms that common filling choices include composite resin, amalgam, glass ionomer and indirect ceramic or gold restorations. Material choice should be individualized for cavity size and location, appearance, durability, insurance and out-of-pocket cost.
| Filling Material | Published Average | Published Range | Cost Source | What To Know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver amalgam | $139 average | $108–$256 | CareCredit Jan. 10, 2025 article; 2024 U.S. cost research | Durable and generally the least expensive filling material in the cited study. |
| Composite resin | $226 average | $173–$439 | CareCredit Jan. 10, 2025 article; 2024 U.S. cost research | Tooth-colored; exact fee changes with size, tooth location and surfaces. |
| Glass ionomer | $152 average | $116–$285 | CareCredit Jan. 10, 2025 article; 2024 U.S. cost research | Commonly used in selected lower-load situations, liners or cervical/root areas. |
| Gold | $466 average | $361–$817 | CareCredit Jan. 10, 2025 article; 2024 U.S. cost research | Often an indirect inlay/onlay rather than a simple chairside filling. |
| Porcelain / ceramic | $976 average | $755–$1,774 | CareCredit Jan. 10, 2025 article; 2024 U.S. cost research | Often indirect laboratory/CAD-CAM restoration; larger treatment than a basic direct filling. |
Source-date warning: The price data above come from a January 10, 2025 CareCredit article using 2024 U.S. cost research. They are useful benchmarks but should not be presented as a new 2026 fee study.
Composite resin is the most common tooth-colored direct filling material. ADA MouthHealthy says composite contains glass or quartz filler and can provide good durability and fracture resistance for small- to mid-size restorations exposed to moderate chewing pressure. It can be used on both front and back teeth.
CareCredit reports a $226 national average for a composite filling, with a $173 to $439 published range. Its 2024 state table shows meaningful geographic variation—for example, $188 average in Oklahoma, $284 in California, $314 in Washington, D.C., and $365 in Hawaii—illustrating why a national average cannot substitute for a local estimate.
Composite can cost more than amalgam because placement is technique-sensitive, the tooth must be kept clean and dry, and the material is bonded and cured in controlled steps. ADA MouthHealthy also notes that composites generally take longer to place than metal fillings.
Dental amalgam is a silver-colored material made from mercury combined with metals such as silver, copper and tin. CareCredit's cost study gives a published $108–$256 range and about $139 average. ADA guidance describes amalgam as durable, affordable and especially useful in selected posterior or difficult-to-keep-dry situations.
The American Dental Association's patient conversation points were updated February 10, 2026 and describe amalgam as a safe, affordable and durable restorative material. ADA also notes that existing amalgam fillings generally do not need removal solely because they contain amalgam if they are in good condition.
Read the ADA amalgam overview and MouthHealthy patient information.
Glass ionomer is a tooth-colored material made from glass and acrylic components. CareCredit's published cost range is $116–$285, with about $152 average. ADA's direct-restorative materials overview says conventional glass ionomer is commonly used for cements, cavity liners and non-load-bearing restorations because its fracture resistance is lower than that of materials chosen for heavy chewing loads.
Glass ionomer can be useful in selected root-surface, cervical or lower-stress situations and has fluoride-related properties, but the dentist chooses it based on the clinical location rather than cost alone.
Gold and ceramic restorations in cost tables often refer to indirect inlays or onlays rather than a simple direct filling placed in one visit. CareCredit reports gold at roughly $361–$817 and ceramic at $755–$1,774. These options generally require laboratory or CAD/CAM fabrication and are used when the defect is larger or the dentist wants an indirect restoration with specific material properties.
Highly durable but visible and more expensive than common direct fillings. ADA MouthHealthy notes that gold has been used in dentistry for more than 1,000 years because of durability.
Tooth-colored indirect restoration that can be shaped outside the mouth or with chairside CAD/CAM technology before bonding to the tooth.
Do not compare a $1,000 ceramic onlay with a $200 composite as if only the material changed. The ceramic restoration may be replacing substantially more tooth structure and can involve scanning/impressions, laboratory design and a different bonding procedure.
Dental benefit codes for direct fillings often describe both the material and the number of tooth surfaces restored. A one-surface filling is generally simpler than a restoration involving two, three or four-plus surfaces. Exact fees vary by office and plan, so a national material average does not tell you the price for every surface count.
Often a small chewing, cheek-side or tongue-side cavity confined mainly to one face of the tooth.
May involve a chewing surface plus the side between teeth, requiring additional shaping and contact restoration.
Larger restoration with more tooth structure involved and greater challenge recreating anatomy and contact.
When much of a tooth is damaged, the dentist may consider whether a filling, onlay or crown provides the better structural prognosis.
Ask your dentist which tooth surfaces are included and why. This is more useful than asking only “How much is a filling?” because two people receiving composite fillings can have very different cavity sizes.
Front-tooth restorations often prioritize appearance and precise color matching, while back teeth must withstand higher chewing forces and can involve larger multi-surface cavities. Composite is widely used in both regions, but treatment time and fee can change with access, size and esthetic complexity.
Small cavities, chips and edge repairs can often use composite. Highly visible cosmetic bonding may involve more contouring and shade matching than a routine cavity filling.
Back teeth often have chewing-surface or between-tooth decay. Larger posterior restorations need strong contacts and anatomy and may involve multiple surfaces.
CareCredit says most dental insurance plans cover some or all of the cost of a dental filling, but exact benefits depend on the plan. A deductible, coinsurance, annual maximum and network rules can still leave an out-of-pocket balance.
One important issue is alternate benefit. ADA explains that some dental plans may pay a posterior composite filling using the allowance for a less expensive amalgam restoration. In that situation, the patient can owe the composite copayment plus the difference between the two procedures depending on plan/network rules.
| Situation | How A Plan May Handle It | What To Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Composite on front teeth | Commonly covered when the plan includes restorative care. | Deductible, coinsurance and annual maximum may apply. |
| Composite on back teeth | Coverage varies; some plans reimburse only up to an amalgam-equivalent allowance. | The patient may owe the difference between composite fee and alternate benefit. |
| Amalgam | Often treated as a standard restorative material where available. | Local availability and patient/material considerations still apply. |
| Gold / ceramic inlay or onlay | May be classified differently from a direct filling and can fall under major restorative benefits. | Plan may apply alternate benefit to a less expensive restoration. |
| Replacement filling | May be covered only if the plan's replacement-frequency or clinical criteria are met. | A recently placed filling may not qualify for replacement benefit. |
For more detail, see the ADA explanations of downcoding and least expensive alternative treatment provisions.
Without dental insurance, ask the practice for the full self-pay fee based on the exact tooth and number of surfaces. CareCredit's published filling ranges can give you a national reference, but your local fee may be outside those ranges.
Confirm whether the plan is composite, amalgam, glass ionomer, ceramic or another restoration.
One-surface and multi-surface fillings can have different fees.
Confirm exam, X-rays, sedation, liner/base and follow-up adjustment fees.
If the restoration is large, compare the prognosis and cost of a filling, onlay or crown.
Filling lifespan varies with material, cavity size, bite, grinding, oral hygiene and whether new decay forms around the restoration. No filling lasts forever.
CareCredit's source summary; can wear faster on heavy biting surfaces.
Durable posterior material; ADA notes strong wear resistance.
Often used in selected lower-load applications.
Indirect ceramic restoration; longevity varies by design and bite.
Long-lasting indirect material in published patient references.
Cleveland Clinic notes that some dental fillings can last up to 20 years depending on material and conditions, while CareCredit provides material-specific estimates. These numbers are not guarantees for an individual restoration.
Fillings can fail from wear, fracture, loss of seal or recurrent decay around their edges. CareCredit lists pain, extreme sensitivity, visible cracks and partial or complete loss of the filling among signs that professional evaluation is needed.
The dentist checks whether there is enough healthy tooth remaining to replace the filling with a similar restoration.
Old filling material and recurrent decay may need removal before a new restoration can be placed.
If a cusp fractures or too much tooth is missing, a crown or onlay may be recommended instead of another direct filling.
Do not replace a functioning filling simply because it is old. ADA's 2026 amalgam patient guidance says existing amalgam restorations do not need removal solely because they contain amalgam if they are in good condition.
A crown usually costs substantially more than a direct filling because it covers much more of the tooth and typically involves a temporary restoration, laboratory or digital fabrication and a separate final cementation/bonding step. But choosing a filling just because it is cheaper can be false economy if the tooth does not have enough remaining structure to support it.
CareCredit's dental filling guide cites filling ranges from $108 to $1,774 depending on material, while its crown references are generally higher for definitive crown materials. If your dentist says the cavity is too large for a predictable filling, ask why an onlay or crown would improve the structural prognosis.
For a separate restorative estimate, use the Dental Crown Cost Calculator.
A filling repairs damaged tooth structure. A root canal treats disease or injury inside the tooth's pulp and root-canal system. They are not interchangeable procedures. A deep cavity can sometimes be filled if the pulp remains healthy enough, but irreversible pulp inflammation or infection may require root canal treatment before the tooth is restored.
CareCredit notes that filling cavities before decay progresses can help prevent more expensive treatment such as root canal therapy. The actual decision must come from examination, symptoms and X-rays—not from cost alone.
Cleveland Clinic describes a filling as removing damaged or decayed tooth structure and replacing it with restorative material. CareCredit's procedure summary notes that many fillings can be completed in about an hour or less, though multiple fillings and complex restorations take longer.
Local anesthetic is commonly used so the tooth and surrounding tissues are comfortable during treatment.
Damaged tooth structure and decay are removed using appropriate dental instruments.
Composite is bonded and light-cured in increments; other materials use their own placement method.
The dentist finishes and polishes the restoration and checks that the bite is not too high.
A filling should generally be comfortable during treatment because local anesthetic numbs the area. Mild temperature or bite sensitivity can occur afterward, especially with deeper restorations. CareCredit advises returning to the dentist if pain is serious or does not improve because the bite may need adjustment or the tooth may have another problem.
If the filling feels noticeably high when you close your teeth, do not simply wait for the tooth to “wear it down.” A small bite adjustment can often correct the problem and reduce unnecessary force on the tooth.
Over-the-counter temporary filling products may cover a lost filling or broken area for a short period, but they do not remove decay, evaluate the nerve or permanently restore the tooth. CareCredit warns that DIY temporary filling material is only a short-term measure until professional dental care is available.
Do not rely on a home filling kit as permanent treatment. Tooth pain, swelling, a lost filling or visible decay can represent a deeper problem that needs diagnosis and professional treatment.
| Material | Main Advantages | Main Tradeoffs | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite resin | Tooth-colored, adhesive bonding, versatile front/back use. | More technique-sensitive; can cost more than amalgam. | Small- to mid-size direct restorations. |
| Amalgam | Durable, affordable, good wear resistance, less moisture-sensitive. | Silver color; may require more tooth preparation; environmental considerations. | Selected posterior/high-load restorations. |
| Glass ionomer | Tooth-colored, chemically bonds, useful in selected cervical/root applications. | Lower fracture resistance for heavy load. | Non-load-bearing restorations, liners/cements and selected root-surface areas. |
| Gold | Durable and wear-resistant. | High cost, metallic appearance, indirect fabrication. | Inlays/onlays in selected cases. |
| Ceramic | Tooth-colored, esthetic, indirect precision restoration. | Higher cost and more extensive workflow than a direct filling. | Inlays/onlays and larger indirect restorations. |
The ADA emphasizes shared decision-making: cavity size and location, longevity, esthetics, insurance and out-of-pocket cost all matter when choosing a restorative material.
This guide uses CareCredit for U.S. filling-price benchmarks, while clearly preserving the source date; ADA and MouthHealthy for restorative-material guidance; and Cleveland Clinic for the clinical definition and filling procedure. No older price table is relabeled as a new 2026 cost survey.
| Source | Used For | Important Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| CareCredit Dental Fillings — Jan. 10, 2025 | Material cost ranges, composite state averages and basic procedure/longevity references. | Cost data are based on 2024 U.S. research, not a new 2026 fee survey. |
| ADA MouthHealthy — Dental Filling Options | Composite, amalgam, gold and patient material-choice factors. | Clinical education, not pricing. |
| ADA MouthHealthy — Composite Fillings | Composite durability, front/back use and placement considerations. | Does not determine which material is best for an individual tooth. |
| American Dental Association — Amalgam | Current amalgam safety, durability and material considerations. | General evidence overview. |
| ADA — Materials for Direct Restorations | Clinical comparison of amalgam, resin composite and glass ionomer. | Professional technical overview rather than consumer fee data. |
| Cleveland Clinic — Dental Fillings | Definition, procedure, risks, recovery and material overview. | Clinical information; not a cost source. |
Use these three ToothCalculator.com calculators when you need a focused filling estimate or want to compare a larger restorative alternative.
Answers about composite, amalgam, ceramic, insurance, filling size, replacement and aftercare.
CareCredit's January 10, 2025 guide, using 2024 U.S. research, reports filling costs ranging from $108 to $1,774 per tooth depending on material. A local fee also depends on cavity size, surfaces, tooth location and insurance.
The same CareCredit study reports a $226 national average and $173–$439 range for a tooth-colored composite filling.
CareCredit reports about $139 average with a $108–$256 range for silver amalgam in the cited 2024 U.S. cost research.
The published national benchmark is about $152 average with a $116–$285 range.
CareCredit reports a $755–$1,774 range and about $976 average for porcelain ceramic. This often represents an indirect inlay/onlay rather than a basic direct filling.
The cited CareCredit data report $361–$817 and about $466 average. Gold restorations are often indirect inlays or onlays.
Material, number of tooth surfaces, cavity depth, tooth location, local fees, imaging, sedation and whether the restoration is direct or laboratory-made all affect cost.
Many dental plans cover part or all of a filling subject to deductible, coinsurance, network rules and annual maximum. Some plans pay posterior composite at an amalgam alternate-benefit level.
Some plans apply a least-expensive-alternative benefit and reimburse a posterior composite as if an amalgam filling had been placed. The patient can owe the difference depending on the plan and provider contract.
Often yes. Larger cavities can involve more tooth surfaces, more material, longer treatment time and more complex shaping. Very large defects may require an onlay or crown instead.
CareCredit's patient reference gives roughly five to seven years, while actual longevity can be shorter or much longer depending on filling size, bite, hygiene and recurrent decay.
Published patient references commonly cite about 10 to 15 years. ADA describes amalgam as a durable, wear-resistant restorative material.
Not simply because they contain amalgam. ADA's 2026 patient guidance says fillings that are in good condition do not need removal solely because of the material.
The dentist usually uses local anesthetic, so treatment should be comfortable. Temporary sensitivity can occur afterward; persistent or severe pain should be evaluated.
The filling itself does not “turn into” a root canal, but deep decay can damage or infect the tooth pulp. If the pulp cannot recover, root canal treatment may be required.
A crown may be recommended when extensive decay, a fracture or a very large previous filling leaves too little tooth structure for a predictable direct filling.
Temporary over-the-counter filling material can provide short-term coverage in some situations but does not remove decay or permanently restore the tooth. Professional evaluation is needed.
No. It is educational cost-planning information. A dentist must examine the tooth and provide the actual treatment recommendation and fee.
A useful dental filling estimate identifies the tooth, number of surfaces, cavity depth, restorative material, insurance allowance and whether the tooth still has enough structure for a filling instead of a larger restoration.
Review Dental Filling Costs