How Much Does a Dental Filling Cost? Amalgam vs Composite

Editorially reviewed by the Dental.me Editorial Team · Updated July 2026

Without insurance, a single dental filling typically costs $100-$300 for a silver amalgam filling and $150-$450 for a tooth-colored composite filling, per surface treated. With dental insurance, your share often drops to $0-$150, because most plans cover fillings at 70-80% after a deductible. The final number swings on how many surfaces of the tooth are involved, which material you pick, and where you live.

Here’s the thing people miss: a “filling” isn’t one procedure. A shallow cavity on the biting surface of a molar is a quick, cheap patch. A cavity that wraps around two or three sides of the tooth eats more material, more chair time, and more skill, and the price climbs to match. Below is what actually moves the number, how the two main materials stack up, and the spots where people quietly overpay.

What is the average cost of a dental filling?

Dentists price fillings by surface, not by tooth. A tooth has five surfaces (top, front, back, and two sides), and a cavity can cover one or several of them. One surface is your baseline price. Every surface after that tacks on roughly $40-$120.

Here are the typical US self-pay ranges by material and complexity. These are cited market ranges, not figures from our directory (we track dentists, not their prices).

Gold and porcelain fillings are technically inlays or onlays. They’re made in a lab and bonded at a second visit. They last the longest and cost the most, and most people will never need one for a routine cavity.

Amalgam vs composite: which filling should you get?

This is the actual decision for most patients. Amalgam is the old-school silver filling, a blend of mercury, silver, tin, and copper that dentists have used for more than 150 years. Composite is a tooth-colored resin that bonds straight to the tooth. Both are safe. The FDA and the American Dental Association consider amalgam safe for adults and children over six, though plenty of patients still choose to skip it. The honest tradeoff comes down to three things: money, looks, and how long it holds up.

Now the catch that ambushes people at the front desk. A lot of plans pay only the amalgam rate, even when you get a tooth-colored filling. Insurers call it an “alternate benefit,” or a “downgrade.” Say a composite runs $250 and your plan reimburses only up to the $150 amalgam level. You cover the $100 gap yourself. Ask about it before you book, especially for back teeth.

For a front tooth, composite wins on looks and nobody argues the point. For a molar buried at the back of your mouth, amalgam is cheaper and lasts longer, but composite spares you the silver flash when you laugh wide. Neither call is wrong.

What makes one filling cost more than another?

Two people can get “a filling” in the same week and walk out a hundred dollars apart. These are the levers.

• Number of surfaces. The single biggest factor. Catching a cavity while it’s still one surface is the cheapest dentistry there is.
• Material. Composite and gold cost more than amalgam. Glass ionomer lands in the middle and shows up a lot for kids and non-chewing surfaces.
• Tooth location. Molars are harder to reach and swallow more material than a small front-tooth cavity.
• Geography. The same filling in Manhattan or San Francisco can run 40-60% above what you’d pay in a rural Midwest town.
• The dentist. Practices built around newer tech or cosmetic work tend to price above the local average.
• Extras. The exam, X-rays, and local anesthetic may land on the bill separately at a new-patient visit.

Does insurance cover dental fillings?

Almost always, yes. Insurers file fillings under “basic restorative” care, and most PPO plans cover them at 70-80% once you’ve met your annual deductible (commonly $50). So a $200 filling might leave you paying $40-$60 out of pocket after the deductible clears.

Two things to keep an eye on. First, that composite downgrade above. Second, the annual maximum: most plans cap what they’ll pay out in a year around $1,000-$2,000, and a mouth full of cavities plus a crown burns through that ceiling in a hurry. Once you hit it, you’re paying full freight.

No insurance? Ask about a dental savings plan, an in-house membership, or just the plain cash price. A lot of offices quietly knock off 5-15% for payment at the time of service. It never hurts to ask.

Which filling is cheapest over its lifespan?

Cost per year of service tells you more than the sticker does. A $250 composite that lasts 8 years works out to about $31 a year. A $180 amalgam that lasts 13 years is about $14 a year. Gold looks brutal up front but can outlast everything else in your mouth.

Then again, the sticker is what actually leaves your wallet on the day, and a filling you replace in ten years is a problem for future you. If cash is tight right now, the cheaper material is a perfectly reasonable call. Fillings don’t last forever, and that’s normal.

How to pay less for a dental filling

• Fix cavities early. A one-surface filling today beats a three-surface filling (or a root canal and crown) two years from now.
• Ask for an itemized estimate before treatment, with the surface count and material code spelled out.
• Confirm the insurance downgrade on composites so the bill doesn’t blindside you.
• Compare two nearby practices. Prices for the exact same procedure vary more than most people expect. You can find and compare dentists near you and check their independent Dental.me Score before you pick up the phone.
• Check dental schools and community clinics for reduced-cost care if you’re paying cash.

If your cavity turns out to be deeper than a simple filling can handle, you may get referred elsewhere. It helps to know which dental specialty handles what, and how a provider gets vetted in the first place. We lay out our methodology on the how we rank page.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a filling without insurance?

Expect roughly $100-$300 for a silver amalgam filling and $150-$450 for a tooth-colored composite, per surface. A large multi-surface molar filling can run higher. Ask for a cash price; many offices discount for payment at the time of service.

Are tooth-colored fillings worth the extra cost?

For front teeth and anywhere visible, yes. Composite is invisible and bonds without removing as much healthy tooth. For a hidden back molar where strength and longevity matter more than looks, amalgam is cheaper and tends to last a few years longer.

How long does a filling last?

Amalgam fillings average 10-15 years, and composite fillings average 7-10 years, though many last longer with good hygiene. Gold inlays can last 20 years or more. All fillings eventually wear, chip, or leak and need replacing.

Why is my composite filling more expensive than the insurance paid?

Many plans reimburse tooth-colored fillings only up to the cheaper amalgam rate, a rule called an alternate benefit or downgrade. You pay the difference. Ask your dentist to check this before treatment so there’s no surprise on the bill.

Does a bigger cavity cost more to fill?

Yes. Fillings are priced per surface, so a cavity spanning two or three sides of the tooth costs more than a single-surface one, usually $40-$120 more per additional surface. Catching cavities early is the cheapest way to keep costs down.

Can I wait to get a cavity filled?

Waiting almost always costs more. A small cavity that needs a $150 filling today can grow into a problem requiring a root canal and crown, which run well over $1,000 combined. Untreated decay can also cause pain and infection.

This article is general information, not dental advice. Only an in-person exam by a licensed dentist can accurately diagnose a cavity and estimate your actual cost.

Ready to get it handled? Find a trusted dentist near you on Dental.me and compare independent scores, reviews, and locations before you book.