Filling Cost in 2026: Composite vs Amalgam

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Prices checked October 22, 2026. By Lorenzo Beux.

Short answer: A filling costs $170 to $450 in the US, with a national average of $260. A small one-surface tooth-colored (composite) filling usually runs $170 to $300. Silver (amalgam) fillings are usually $30 to $80 cheaper. Larger fillings with three or four surfaces cost $400 to $600.

Dental savings plans are not insurance. A plan gives you discounts only at participating dentists. It does not pay the dentist for you, and you pay for all services at the discounted rate. Prices, discounts and dentists vary by plan and ZIP code.

Compare dental savings plans and what you would pay

Filling prices at a glance

Dentists price fillings by material and by the number of tooth surfaces they cover. A small cavity on one surface costs the least. A cavity that wraps around several sides of a back tooth costs the most.

FillingTypical priceWhere the price comes from
Composite filling, national (D2391–D2394)$170–$450, average $260National, Pearl
Composite, 1 surface$170–$300National, Pearl
Filling, 3–4 surfaces$400–$600National, Pearl
Amalgam vs. compositeAmalgam usually $30–$80 lessNational, Pearl
Composite, 1 surface, front tooth$199Orlando, Humana
Composite, 1 surface, back tooth$217Orlando, Humana
Composite, 2 surfaces, back tooth$274Orlando, Humana
Composite, 3 surfaces, back tooth$333Orlando, Humana
Amalgam, 2 surfaces$229Orlando, Humana
Silver (amalgam), 1 surface (D2140)$196Houston sample usual fee
White, 1 surface, front tooth (D2330)$241Houston sample usual fee
Sources: Pearl national figures from ADA fee survey data (May 2026); Humana pricing tool, Orlando (page updated June 2026); DentalPlans.com sample fees, ZIP 77002 (October 2026).

Composite vs. amalgam: cost and trade-offs

Composite is tooth-colored resin. Amalgam is the silver-colored metal filling. Pearl says composite is now the most common choice and costs slightly more. In the Houston sample, a one-surface white filling is $241 and a one-surface silver one is $196.

  • Composite (white). Matches your teeth and contains no metal. The FDA says it usually needs less healthy tooth removed. It may not last as long in back teeth that take heavy biting force.
  • Amalgam (silver). Kaiser Permanente’s health library calls it the simplest, quickest and lowest-cost option. The FDA says it may still be preferred for large back-tooth fillings or hard-to-keep-dry spots near the gumline.
  • Glass ionomer. Tooth-colored and often used for small cavities. Some types release small amounts of fluoride.
  • Gold and porcelain. Both cost much more and may take more than one visit.

Amalgam is about half mercury by weight, according to the FDA. The FDA suggests some groups avoid new amalgam fillings when possible. These include pregnant or nursing women, children under six, and people with a mercury allergy, nerve conditions or kidney problems. The FDA does not recommend removing amalgam fillings that are in good shape. Talk with your dentist about which material fits you.

What raises or lowers the price

  • Number of surfaces. Pearl says a one-surface filling costs about half as much as a three-surface one on the same tooth.
  • Material. Amalgam is cheapest. Composite costs a little more. Porcelain inlays and gold cost far more.
  • Tooth location. Back-tooth fillings cost more than front-tooth fillings, per Pearl.
  • Numbing and sedation. Local anesthetic is usually included. Sedation is extra.
  • Size of the cavity. A very large cavity may need a build-up or a crown instead.
  • Extras. X-rays are often billed separately.

Filling cost with dental insurance

Humana says most plans follow a 100/80/50 model, with fillings usually treated as basic work at 80%. Pearl says most PPO plans pay 70% to 80% of a composite filling after the deductible.

  • The amalgam rule. Pearl notes some older plans pay only the amalgam rate. You then pay the difference for composite.
  • Waiting periods. Humana says some plans have none for basic care. Individual plans may wait 3, 6 or 12 months.
  • Yearly maximum. ADA News reports 32.8% of plans cap benefits at $1,000 to $1,500, and 48.2% at $1,500 to $2,500.
  • Premiums. The 2026 average is $49.60 a month, per Becker’s Dental Review.

Our dental insurance guide explains these terms. If you need care soon, see insurance with no waiting period.

Filling cost with a dental savings plan

A savings plan is a yearly membership. You get reduced fees at participating dentists. There is no yearly maximum, no deductible and no waiting period once the plan is active.

Plan (yearly fee)Silver, 1 surface (usual $196)White, 1 surface, front (usual $241)Adult cleaning (usual $137)
Aetna Dental Access ($154.95 + $20)$70$95$58
Careington Care 500 ($184.95 + $20)$65$75$33
Humana Dental Savings, Sam’s Club ($49.92)Members typically save 20% to 40%
Sources: DentalPlans.com sample general-dentist fees, ZIP 77002, checked October 22, 2026; Humana Sam’s Club plan page.

Fees vary by dentist and ZIP code. Confirm your dentist participates before you join. Compare options in our list of the best dental savings plans.

Worked example: two small white fillings

Say you need two one-surface white fillings on front teeth. Using the Houston sample, that is 2 × $241 = $482 without coverage.

With insurance (an example plan, not a quote). Assume a $50 deductible and 80% coverage with no waiting period. The plan pays ($482 − $50) × 80% = $345.60. You pay $136.40 at the office. Premiums add about $595 for the year. Those premiums also cover cleanings and checkups, usually at 100%.

With a savings plan. On Aetna Dental Access, you pay 2 × $95 = $190. With the first year’s $174.95 fee, that is $364.95. On Careington Care 500, you pay 2 × $75 = $150, or $354.95 with the fee. Cleanings are discounted too, not free.

For small fillings alone, either route can make sense. The right choice depends on your other dental needs this year. Our savings plan vs. insurance comparison runs more examples.

Ways to pay less for a filling

  • Treat cavities while they are small. One surface costs about half as much as three.
  • Ask for an estimate with codes. D2140 is a one-surface amalgam. D2391 to D2394 are back-tooth composites by surface.
  • Ask about amalgam on a back tooth if cost matters most and it is right for you.
  • Ask for the cash price. Some offices discount if you pay at the visit.
  • Use a savings plan at a participating dentist.
  • Try a dental school. NIDCR says supervised students treat patients at reduced cost.
  • Check a community health center. Fees are based on income. Find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.

More options are in our guides to dental care without insurance and free and low-cost dental care.

When to see a dentist

See a dentist if a tooth hurts or feels sensitive, or if you see a hole or dark spot. See one too if a filling feels loose or cracked. A cavity that grows can end up needing a root canal or a tooth extraction, which cost far more.

Filling cost FAQ

How much is a filling without insurance?

The national average is $260, with a typical range of $170 to $450. A small one-surface composite is about $170 to $300.

Are silver fillings cheaper than white fillings?

Yes, usually by $30 to $80 per filling, according to Pearl. In the Houston sample the gap is $45.

Will insurance pay for a white filling on a back tooth?

Most PPO plans pay 70% to 80%. Some older plans pay only the amalgam rate, so you cover the difference. Check your plan’s terms.

Should I replace my old silver fillings?

The FDA does not recommend removing amalgam fillings that are in good condition. Removal takes away healthy tooth and briefly raises mercury vapor exposure. Ask your dentist if you have concerns.

Why does a back-tooth filling cost more?

Pearl notes back-tooth fillings are priced higher than front-tooth fillings. In the Orlando sample, a one-surface composite is $217 on a back tooth and $199 on a front tooth.

Does Medicare cover fillings?

NIDCR says Medicare generally does not cover routine care such as checkups, cleanings and fillings. See our Medicare dental guide for details.

Dental savings plans are not insurance. They provide discounts at participating providers. You pay the provider directly at the time of service. Prices vary by provider and ZIP code. This page is for information only and is not dental or financial advice.

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