Restorative · Composite Filling · National Cost

How much does a composite filling cost?

Average Composite 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 Composite Filling range across the United States

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

National average

$260

Composite Filling · D2391-D2394

What is this procedure?

About this procedure

A composite filling is a tooth-colored resin used to repair a cavity or small chip in a tooth. The dentist removes the decayed portion, bonds the composite material to the tooth, shapes it, and hardens it with a curing light. Composite fillings are used on both front and back teeth and have largely replaced older silver amalgam fillings in most practices. A typical filling lasts 5–10 years, though placement, location, and chewing forces affect lifespan.

Filling fees are billed by surface — a one-surface filling is less expensive than a three-surface filling on the same tooth. Knowing how many surfaces are involved before you sit down helps avoid surprise charges on the bill.

Price factors

What affects this cost?

  • Number of surfaces: Fillings are billed per surface — a small one-surface filling costs less than a three- or four-surface filling on the same tooth.
  • Tooth location: Molars often need larger fillings than front teeth, especially if cusps are involved.
  • Material: Composite is standard; some practices offer porcelain inlays/onlays for larger restorations at a higher price point.
  • Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is usually included; sedation is separate.
  • Bundled with build-up: If the cavity is large enough that the tooth needs a build-up before a crown, the filling fee may be replaced by a build-up fee.

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
  • Composite material and placement
  • Curing with a UV light
  • 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
  • Post and core if the tooth needs a root canal
  • Replacement of failed restorations

Health stakes

What happens if you delay treatment?

  • Small cavities grow — what could be a one-surface filling today can become a three-surface filling, root canal, or extraction
  • Decay can reach the pulp, requiring a root canal
  • Cavities can crack or chip the tooth, eventually requiring a crown
  • Untreated decay between teeth spreads to the adjacent tooth

Before you agree

Questions to ask your provider

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

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

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, and many patients and dentists prefer composite for cosmetic reasons.
Most PPO plans cover composite fillings on front teeth at the same rate as amalgam, and some cover composite on back teeth as well. A few older plans only cover composite at the amalgam rate, leaving the patient responsible for the difference. Check with your plan.
A well-placed composite filling typically lasts 5–10 years on a back tooth and longer on a front tooth where chewing forces are lower. Replacement is common over the lifetime of the tooth.
When a cavity covers a large portion of the tooth, a crown is often the right call — a filling would likely fail. If you're unsure, a second opinion is a reasonable step, especially before committing to a higher-cost procedure.
Back teeth have more surfaces and bear more chewing force, so the procedure takes longer and the restoration is larger. Front-tooth fillings are usually one or two surfaces, while back-tooth fillings can be three or four.

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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