Dental cavities are among the most common health issues in the world, being responsible for 10-15% of the healthcare budgets in industrialized countries.
Although initially painless, cavities can grow to affect the root of the tooth, affecting the quality of life and causing severe toothache and infection.
With the prevalence of the condition, it is likely that you or a loved one might get a cavity that would require treatment in the near future. Considering this fact in juxtaposition to the skyrocketing prices of dental work, it may be a good idea to inform yourself of the kind of expenses you would be looking at in case of needing dental cavities treatment.
Table of Contents
What Are Dental Fillings?
Dental fillings are metal, plastic, or glass material or a combination (or amalgam) of these materials that are used to fill a hole in the teeth that may be caused by tooth decay or external trauma or a piece of decayed tooth removed by your dentist.
Dental fillings maintain the structural integrity of the tooth and thus its functionality. They help your teeth retain their chewing function without causing you any discomfort.
Reasons You May Need A Dental Filling
Besides cavities, there are many other less-known reasons why you might benefit from a dental filling.
1. To Treat Dental Cavities
Cavities are caused by bacterial infection of the tooth due to the accumulation of food and plaque formation. Dental fillings are needed even for smaller cavities as untreated cavities grow until the nerve of the tooth dies, causing an infection that would require a root canal.Â
2. To Repair Cracks And Chips
Your tooth can become cracked due to a chronic grinding habit or forcefully chewing something hard like popcorn. Tooth fractures can result in pain but luckily they can be easily fixed with a filling.
A chipped tooth due to an injury can be rebuilt to its original shape by using dental fillings.
3. To Curb Tooth Sensitivity
Some people naturally have dentin hypersensitivity that makes their teeth hurt when exposed to very cold, hot, sweet, or acidic foods or even cold air!
For such cases, dental fillings can be used as a treatment to cover the sensitive area of the teeth.
4. To Repair Damage Caused By Dental Erosion
Irreversible dental erosion of the tooth enamel caused by exposure to acids in foods like those in soft drinks causes tooth sensitivity and makes the tooth prone to discoloration.
However, dental fillings can be used to cover the exposed enamel of the teeth to prevent such issues.
5. To Replace An Older Fillings
Old fillings can fall out with age, leaving your teeth susceptible to tooth decay. An older filling should be promptly replaced to keep your teeth healthy.
How Much Does A Dental Filling Cost Without Insurance?
Dental fillings use a variety of materials and the cost of fillings varies with different types.
1. Silver Amalgam Fillings
Silver amalgam is on the lower side of the spectrum when it comes to cavity filling costs. With a price tag ranging from $50-$150, silver amalgam fillings are very durable for up to 15 years. They are made of a combination of metals including mercury, silver, copper, zinc, and tin.
Although durable, silver fillings are preferred for back molars only as their metallic color is quite contrasting to natural tooth color. Silver amalgam may also expand in the mouth, leaving spaces between the tooth and itself which can develop into cavities.
2. Composite Resin Fillings
Composite resin fillings are made of acrylic reinforced with ceramic particles like powdered quartz and silica. It is a bit more expensive than silver amalgam at $90-$250 for one or two surfaces. Composite resin is also less durable with a lifespan of up to 5 years. Due to their composition, they need a very skilled dentist to go in properly.
Composite resin fillings are still preferred despite these drawbacks for aesthetic reasons as they can be matched to your tooth color.
3. Glass Ionomer Cement Fillings
Glass ionomer cement fillings are made up of acrylics and a specific type of glass. They are just this side of cheaper than composite resin fillings but are prone to fracturing. These fillings are suitable for children with a growing jaw or as temporary fillings for adults.
4. Gold Fillings
Gold fillings are very expensive but have many benefits if cared for. They can last from 15 to 20 years and are non-corrosive.
Gold fillings can cost from $250-$2000 without insurance and they might not be offered by your local dentists.Â
5. Ceramic Fillings
Ceramic fillings are made of porcelain and can be used as inlays as well as onlays. They provide incredible strength to your tooth while also having the ability to match with everyone’s unique tooth color.
They can cost from $300 to as much as $4500, making them the highest dental cavity filling cost. Ceramic fillings are rougher and more abrasive to adjacent teeth in the long run.Â
Factors That Increase The Cost of Dental Fillings
You can only estimate the cost of dental fillings from behind a screen as many other factors affect the cost of fillings that only a dentist can determine for you.
1. The Extent of The Damage
The greater the damage, the more filling it will need. This includes the size of the cavity as well as the number of teeth that need filling.
Greater damage would also require preparatory procedures like X-rays to assess the damage, anaesthesia, removal of decay, and cleaning of the area.
If the tooth or gum became infected, a temporary filling may be required on top of multiple visits.
2. Location of The Damage
Front teeth are cheaper to fill as they are easier to access and require less finesse.
3. Type of Fillings
As discussed above, different filling materials have different costs and properties and whether your choice is a personal preference or a dental practitioner’s recommendation, it will greatly affect the cost of dental fillings.
4. The Dentist
Dentists charge varying costs according to their level of skill and training as well as the geographical location of their practice.
5. Insurance
Different insurance plans provide different coverage for dental costs and different dentists may have different contracts with private health insurance companies which affect the cost of getting dental fillings.
Are Dental Fillings Covered By Insurance?
Since dental fillings are so heavy on the pocket, it is only natural to wonder whether any of that cost could be covered by your insurance.
The simple answer is yes. Most health insurances cover about 80% of the costs for dental treatments like root canals, extractions, and fillings while covering 100% of the cost for a routine check-up and oral upkeep. The exact percentage of dental tooth filling cost varies with each health insurance plan.Â
A dental insurance plan may cover silver amalgam fillings but you may need to cover the extra costs of a composite resin filling. Dental insurance plans give higher coverage for smaller cavities as they want to cut costs a deeper cavity would entail.
Ways to Cut Costs on Dental Fillings
You can get your dental fillings without putting a major dent in your savings with some effort.
- Get a good insurance provider.
- Keep an eye out for special discounts, cost-effective membership plans, and community dental events to get low-cost or free dental fillings.
- Save to pay cash upfront at your dentist’s. Dental practitioners give discounts on upfront payments and you save interest on credit card payments.
- Look for any grants you might be eligible for through non-profits like active military and veteran discounts.Â
- Look into dental or hygiene schools that may be offering the treatment you’re looking for. Dental students need experience for which they offer dental treatments at very low costs.
Another benefit is that the students are closely monitored by supervisors so you usually don’t need to worry about the quality of the service.
Alternatives to Dental Fillings
With advances in the field of dentistry, you have some options beyond dental fillings for your cavities.
1. Glass Ionomer Fissure Sealant
GI sealant is a preventative alternative to tooth fractures that prevents cavity formation by sealing grooves and releasing fluoride that strengthens the enamel.
2. Silver Diamine Fluoride
SDF is applied to decayed tooth surfaces to prevent further decay and remineralize the enamel.Â
3. At-Home Treatments
If a cavity is detected early, your dentists may recommend at-home fluoride treatments like mouthwashes, gels, and toothpaste.Â
Conclusion
Getting dental fillings is costly but necessary. It is best to consider all the relevant information before committing to such treatment. Who knows, you could save costs in a big way with a little research!
FAQs
1. How much does it cost to replace a filling that fell out?
Filling replacements cost only slightly less than normal fillings as they do not require procedures for decay removal and cleaning.
2. How much does it cost to fill a cavity with insurance?
Most dental insurances cover 80% of dental filling costs. Depending on your particular insurance provider, a composite resin filling can cost $65-$190.
3. Will my dental fillings look natural?
You can opt for a composite resin, ceramic, or glass ionomer material for a tooth-colored filling. Composite resin is highly recommended as it is affordable as well as durable.