How Much Does a Dental Filling Cost?

 You’ve taken great care of your teeth, and they’re in excellent condition, but one filling has come loose. Should you get it re-done now, or can you wait until the next dental checkup? How much does it cost to get a dental filling, anyway? Our guide to how much does a dental filling cost will help you budget for these and other common dental procedures.

What are dental fillings

Restoring decayed teeth often requires dental fillings, also known as dental restorations. These can be made of composite resin (white filling) or porcelain (looks more like natural tooth). They're used to fill holes in teeth created by decay. This is because they restore damaged structure and prevent tooth from collapsing. If a tooth becomes very weak from decay or breaks, it may need an emergency root canal. This involves removing infected tissue to save the remaining portion of tooth. It's usually performed under local anesthesia but some procedures require sedation or general anesthesia.

Emergency root canal cost

Root canals usually aren’t emergencies, but some are. If you have extreme pain and notice that your tooth is sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, it might be an emergency. Root canal cost for an emergency root canal is $832 on average. For non-emergency root canals, the cost ranges from $292 to $935. The total dental filling cost ranges from $342 to $1,236. You should schedule a visit with your dentist as soon as possible if you feel a toothache coming on; temporary tooth fillings may take care of most problems at home in between visits to your dentist.

Affordable ways to take care of your teeth

When it comes to taking care of your teeth, you don’t want to run into emergency dental situations. That’s why it’s so important to find affordable ways to take care of your teeth. If you have trouble making ends meet, one way to save on your dental costs is by finding free or low-cost community services. Another way is by shopping around for providers in your area who offer lower prices and are willing to work with you and tailor their services for individuals with lower incomes.

Tips for more affordable fillings

One way to keep your dental bills down is to schedule regular checkups and cleanings so that issues can be addressed as they arise. Another option is to schedule your fillings during normal business hours instead of after-hours or on weekends. Because emergencies can crop up at any time, it’s important for us to stay accessible for our patients. If you must seek emergency services, our dentists can help you understand what will happen if you put off treatment; in some cases, putting off treatment could mean serious problems down the road. We hope these tips help make filling more affordable for you!

Before you get the filling

If you’re tooth aches or have any symptoms of an infection, be sure to make an appointment with your dentist ASAP. Typically, if you wait too long to get it looked at, he will end up recommending you undergo an emergency root canal in order to save your tooth. If that happens, don’t worry: An emergency root canal typically costs between $900 and $1,000 and is covered by most dental insurance plans (including Medicaid). What isn’t covered by insurance is having a filling put in after that root canal. That procedure costs between $300 and $500 and is rarely covered by health insurance.

Common reasons fillings fail

A dental filling is an inexpensive and quick way to repair minor tooth decay. But unfortunately, not all fillings hold up for life. The material used for fillings has changed in recent years, but some problems are still common due to issues with technique or improper care afterward. Here are reasons why people need a re-filling

When is it time for new fillings

Broken or decayed teeth can result in chips, cracks, and holes. If left unattended, they can cause more damage to your teeth and lead to infections. To stop it from getting worse and protect against further tooth decay, visit your dentist. They’ll examine your tooth and figure out what needs to be done next. New fillings aren’t only necessary when there are holes in your teeth; you might need one if you’ve experienced extensive decay on one or more of your teeth—even if they don’t have any gaps yet—since new fillings last longer than old ones that are falling apart.