COST OF A TOOTH FILLING

Dental fillings are a procedure that is done in order to restore a tooth to its natural state. Over time and sometimes due to lack of proper care, teeth can become decayed and diseased. When this happens, it is typically referred to as a cavity. Cavities need to be addressed as soon as possibly in order to avoid a more complicated, more serious issue, like an infection. If treated early on, a cavity, can typically be remedied by a simple dental filling. If left untreated, the cavity may need more serious procedures like a root canal or an extraction.

If you are experiencing tooth pain you may be considering seeing your dentist. Typically the thought of going to a dentist for anything other than a typical cleaning, brings with it the thought of spending lots of money. This guide will hopefully help you avoid the sticker shock of the fillings that you may need.

What is the procedure?

If you have a cavity, your dentist will more than likely want to fill it. If this is the case, your dentist will first go over the various types of filling material that are available. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages and each one has its own cost associated with it (see below). Once you have chosen the material for the filling, the dentist will numb the tooth and the area around it. This is typically done with a local anesthetic or a topical anesthetic. Once numbed, the dentist will clean the cavity and then fill it. In most cases, this is the end of the procedure. Over the course of a few weeks, your tooth sensitivity will go away and you will be good as new. In some cases, you may find that you have an allergy to the materials used or that the filling did not set in the tooth correctly. In these cases, you will need to go back to the dentist.

So what does it cost?

The cost of the fillings will vary greatly based on a number of factors. The most important factor is the size and extent of the cavity. Deeper and bigger cavities will cost more to fill. The cost will also depend on the material used for the fillings. Amalgam, which is a silver composite, is the least expensive of the tooth filling types. The most expensive type of tooth filling is gold. It typically costs between 6 to 10 times more than silver. Where you are located geographically matters as well. Large cities and the coasts typically cost more than rural areas.

If you have dental insurance, it may cover part of the cost. Most dental insurances do not cover the entire cost of repairing teeth. They do however cover all or most of the cost of preventive care, which is why staying on top of your oral health, is important. If the cost of the fillings is prohibitive, most dentists will work with you on a payment plan in order to make sure that you get what you need.

More on Dental/Tooth Fillings : What is a Temporary Tooth Filling?