Restorative · Cavity Filling · National Cost

How much does a cavity filling cost?

Average Cavity Filling cost in the US: $170-$450

🏥 Based on ADA fee survey data
📊 Population-weighted national average
🔄 Updated May 2026
✓ Reviewed by Pearl clinical team
$170 – $450

Typical Cavity Filling range across the United States

📍 All 50 states covered 🏥 PPO typically covers up to ortho max

National average

$260

Cavity Filling · D2391-D2394

What is this procedure?

About this procedure

A cavity filling restores a tooth damaged by decay. The dentist removes the decayed tooth structure, cleans the cavity, and fills the space with a restorative material — usually composite resin (tooth-colored), but sometimes amalgam (silver-colored), porcelain, or gold. Filling fees are billed per surface — a one-surface filling costs less than a three- or four-surface filling on the same tooth — so understanding how many surfaces are involved before sitting down helps avoid surprise charges.

Filling a small cavity early is dramatically cheaper than letting decay grow into a root canal, crown, or extraction situation. Most fillings last 5–10 years on back teeth and longer on front teeth where chewing forces are lower.

Price factors

What affects this cost?

  • Number of surfaces: Fillings are billed per surface. A one-surface filling is typically half the cost of a three-surface filling on the same tooth.
  • Material: Composite (tooth-colored) is the most common today and slightly more expensive than amalgam. Porcelain inlays/onlays for larger restorations cost much more. Gold fillings are the most expensive but rarely chosen now.
  • Tooth location: Back-tooth fillings are usually larger and bear more chewing force, costing more than front-tooth fillings.
  • Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is usually included; sedation is separate.
  • Bundled with build-up: Very large cavities may require a build-up before a crown — at that point the procedure shifts from a filling to a crown prep.

By state

Where does this cost the most and least?

Pearl tracks pricing across all 50 states. Below are the highest and lowest cost markets — click any state for a full state-level cost breakdown across covered cities.

Highest cost states

Lowest cost states

Quote checker

What should your quote include?

Different providers bundle costs differently. Here's what a complete quote typically covers — and what's often left out.

USUALLY INCLUDED IN THE QUOTED PRICE

  • Local anesthesia
  • Decay removal
  • Restorative material and placement
  • Curing with a UV light (for composite)
  • Bite check and polish

OFTEN BILLED SEPARATELY — ASK BEFORE YOU AGREE

  • X-rays
  • Sedation beyond local anesthesia
  • Crown or build-up if the tooth structure is too compromised
  • Root canal if decay has reached the pulp
  • Replacement of a failed restoration

Health stakes

What happens if you delay treatment?

  • Small cavities grow — a one-surface filling today can become a three-surface filling, root canal, or extraction within 12-24 months
  • Decay can reach the pulp, requiring a root canal (~$1,000-$2,000) and crown (~$1,500-$2,500)
  • Cavities can crack or chip the tooth, eventually requiring a crown
  • Untreated decay between adjacent teeth spreads to the neighbor
  • Untreated cavities cause pain that can radiate to ear, jaw, or sinuses

Before you agree

Questions to ask your provider

  • How many surfaces does this filling cover?
  • What material are you using — composite, amalgam, or other?
  • How long can I expect this filling to last?
  • Should I be considering a crown instead, given the size of the cavity?
  • What happens if it cracks or fails — replacement cost?

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

A one-surface composite filling typically runs $170-$300 without insurance, depending on location. A three- or four-surface filling can run $400-$600. Amalgam fillings are usually $30-$80 cheaper per filling. Cash-pay practices often have lower fees than insurance billing.
Most PPO dental plans cover composite fillings at 70-80% after the deductible. Some older plans only cover the amalgam rate, leaving the patient responsible for the composite difference. Annual maximums (typically $1,000-$2,000) can be exhausted by multiple fillings in one year.
Composite is a tooth-colored resin that bonds to the tooth; amalgam is a silver-colored alloy that mechanically fits into the cavity. Most practices use composite as the default today. Amalgam is durable and cheaper but very visible; composite blends in.
A well-placed composite filling lasts 5-10 years on a back tooth and longer on a front tooth. Amalgam fillings can last 15+ years but are increasingly rare. Replacement is normal over the lifetime of the tooth.
When a cavity covers more than about half the tooth or compromises a cusp, a crown is often the right call — a filling would likely fail. If you're unsure, a second opinion is reasonable, especially before committing to the higher cost of a crown.

See local pricing

Compare what this costs in your city.

Pearl's cost data covers 485 U.S. cities. Search by procedure and zip — get a localized fee range and what to expect from your insurance.

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