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How Much Does a Filling Cost with Insurance? Plus, How to Save on Dental Costs

February 24, 2025
Topics: Patients
Written by: Lisa Rasmussen

Discover Affordable Dental Care with or Without Insurance

The Shocking Truth About Dental Costs

Did you know that even with insurance, a dental filling can still cost anywhere from $50 to $450 per tooth? Without insurance, the price skyrockets to $200–$600 or more, depending on the filling type and location. For many, these costs feel overwhelming, leading to delays in treatment and worsening dental issues.

But what if there was a smarter, more affordable way to manage dental expenses—without the frustration of hidden fees and denied claims? Let’s explore how you can save big, whether you have insurance or not.


How Much Does a Filling Cost with Insurance?

Dental insurance helps reduce the cost of fillings, but coverage varies. Here’s what you can expect:

With Insurance:

  • Amalgam (silver) fillings: $50–$150 (after insurance)
  • Composite (tooth-colored) fillings: $90–$250 (after insurance)
  • Gold/Inlays/Onlays: $200–$450 (after insurance)
  • Copays & Deductibles Apply: Most insurance plans cover 50% to 80%, but you’ll still pay out-of-pocket costs.
  • Annual Coverage Limits: Many plans cap benefits at $1,000–$1,500 per year, meaning if you need multiple procedures, you could max out quickly.

Without Insurance:

  • Silver fillings: $150–$300
  • Composite fillings: $200–$600
  • Gold fillings/inlays: $400–$1,500+

Problem: Insurance helps but doesn’t eliminate out-of-pocket expenses. And without insurance, the costs can be staggering.


How to Save Money on Dental Costs (With or Without Insurance)

You don’t have to let high prices stop you from getting the care you need. Here’s how to drastically cut costs:

1. Consider an In-Office Membership Plan (Save 40-60%)

Many dental offices offer in-house membership plans that provide major savings on treatments without the headaches of traditional insurance.

How It Works:

  • Pay a low monthly or annual fee ($100–$250/year).
  • Get discounted rates on fillings, cleanings, and major treatments.
  • No deductibles, waiting periods, or claim denials.

Example Savings: A typical composite filling costs $200–$600 without insurance. With a membership plan, the same filling could cost just $90–$150—a 50%+ savings.

Find a dentist offering membership plans at The Patient Marketplace.


2. Use HSA/FSA Funds

Got a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA)? These tax-free funds can help you cover fillings and dental expenses.

Pro Tip: Some insurance plans don’t cover composite fillings on back teeth, meaning you might pay the full cost. An HSA/FSA helps cover these unexpected costs.


3. Look for Dental Discount Plans

Unlike insurance, dental discount plans (which cost $80–$150/year) offer instant savings of 10%–60% on procedures like fillings, crowns, and root canals. Some major providers include:

  • Careington
  • DentalPlans.com
  • Aetna Dental Access

Tip: Compare the costs of a discount plan vs. a membership plan to see which offers better savings in your area.


4. Get Treated at a Dental School

If you live near a dental school, you could save 50-70% on fillings. Students (supervised by experienced dentists) perform treatments at a fraction of the cost.

Example: A filling that costs $200+ at a private practice might cost $50–$80 at a dental school.


5. Compare Local Dentists on The Patient Marketplace

Instead of overpaying, why not compare real, transparent pricing from top dentists near you?

✔️ Find affordable dentists offering low-cost fillings & membership plans.
✔️ No hidden fees or surprise bills.
✔️ See upfront pricing before booking.

Start saving now → Visit The Patient Marketplace.


Real-World Example: How a Membership Plan Saved Mark $500

Mark needed three fillings but didn’t have insurance. His local dentist quoted $1,050 for the procedure—far beyond his budget.

Instead, Mark signed up for the office’s membership plan for $199/year and immediately saved 50% on his fillings, bringing his total cost down to $550.

The result? Mark saved $500 instantly and got his dental work done without breaking the bank.


Act Now: Don’t Overpay for Fillings!

Every day you wait, your dental problem could get worse—and more expensive to fix. But you don’t have to drain your wallet to get the care you need.

✔️ Compare dentists & find affordable careCheck prices now
✔️ Join a membership plan & save up to 60%
✔️ Use your HSA/FSA or a discount plan to cut costs even further

Don’t wait until your toothache becomes an expensive root canal—start saving today!

Save on Dental, Optometry & Wellness

Dental & vision insurance are not the best options if you want to truly save on dental work or vision care. Search our listings of vetted prctices that can help you save money!

Jordon Comstock

Author Bio

Jordon Comstock is the Founder & CEO of BoomCloud™, a software that allows practice, clinic & spa owners to build, manage and scale a membership program. Jordon loves helping patients save on care & writing tips in dentistry, optometry and the spa industries. Jordon is passionate about music, Hawaii, Healthcare businesses like: dentistry, optometry, med spas and massage spas.