Have a dental filling appointment with your dentist due to tooth decay? Wondering how much is a dental filling without insurance? You’re not the only one.
Tooth decay is a fairly common occurrence in the United States. According to this 2020 publication on the Centers for Disease Control’s website, at least 25% of all adults in the US aged 20 to 64 years suffer from tooth decay. 13.2% of all adults in the US aged 65 years and older will go on to experience complete tooth loss as a result of the condition.
Having a dental filling is the go-to procedure for restoring your teeth if they’ve been damaged by tooth decay. However, a dental filling can be pricey, especially if you don’t have insurance. As the cost of healthcare continues to rise, it is important that you understand what it would cost you to have a dental filling if you have no insurance.
In this article, we will answer the topic question, how much is a dental filling without insurance and provide you with a comprehensive overview of what the total bill will look like. Additionally, we will provide you with measures you can take to reduce the cost and maintain optimal dental health.
Why Having a Dental Filling is Important
A dental filling is a life-saving procedure that helps relieve you of further damage to your tooth and the associated pain and discomfort. Also, it restores functionality and aesthetics to your damaged tooth and saves you the extra expenses of having more complex dental treatment down the line.
A properly done dental filling will seal off any ensuing decay in your tooth and keep food particles and bacteria away from the cavity. This will help you keep the damaged tooth healthy and prevent it from deteriorating further.
A dental filling will relieve you of pain in your damaged tooth by covering up those sensitive nerves that have been exposed as a result of the cavity or crack in your tooth. Thus, you will be able to eat and drink without any inhibition. Also, you will be able to chew and speak properly as your damaged tooth has now been restored functionally and aesthetically.
A dental filling is also a cost-saving procedure because it prevents you from suffering further decay or damage to your tooth, which might lead to requiring more expensive dental care like root canals, dental crowns, or extractions in the future.
Read also: How Long Does Numbness Last After Dental Filling
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Dental Filling Without Insurance
How much is a dental filling without insurance? The answer to this question lies in the several factors that impact the total cost of a dental filling without insurance. Some of them are:
1. The type of filling material to be used
The major portion of the cost of your dental filling depends on the type of filling material your dentist will use to fill the cavity. The most common types are:
- Amalgam fillings: They are silver in color, durable, and not costly. However, they will not blend in well with the rest of your natural teeth. The typical amalgam filling will cost you between US$50 to US$150, depending on your location in the United States.
- Composite resin fillings: These are tooth-colored fillings that blend in naturally with the rest of your teeth. They are more costly when compared to amalgam fillings. A composite resin filling without insurance costs between US$135 and US$240, depending on your location in the United States.
- Gold fillings: Gold fillings stand out for their high durability and resistance to wear and tear. However, they are expensive. A typical gold filling in a tooth will set you back by as much as US$250 to US$4,500, depending on your location in the United States.
- Ceramic fillings: Ceramic fillings are comparable to gold fillings in terms of durability, aesthetics, and cost. They are your go-to option if you care about aesthetics, as they will blend in seamlessly with the rest of your teeth.
2. The Size and Location of the Cavity in Your Tooth
The size and location of the cavity or hole in your tooth being filled impact the cost, too. A large cavity will require more filling materials and take more time; hence, it will cost more. Also, when filling a tooth that is visible to the public, like your incisors, they will cost more because of the aesthetic considerations that will weigh in and the complexity of the procedure.
3. Your Geographic Location
Where you live in the United States has an impact on the cost of your dental filling without insurance. Generally, you should expect to pay more in dental fees if you live in an urban area, as there are more experienced dentists and practices stationed there.
4. Dental Practice and Provider
As expected, the fee for having a dental filling without insurance will vary from one dental practice to the other. For example, some dentists will charge you a premium for additional amenities they may offer during the procedure.
5. Any Additional Procedures
If filling your dental cavity will require additional procedures like an extraction or a root canal, the cost of the procedure will increase.
Understanding the impact each of these factors has on your final bill will enable you to properly budget for having that much-needed dental filling without insurance.
Additional Costs You Should Be Prepared For
- Diagnostics and X-rays: Before getting your dental filling, there will be diagnostics, especially one or more X-ray images of your teeth. The cost without insurance is between US$25 to US$250.
- Anesthetics: Your dentist might require the use of anesthesia during your dental filling. That would add an extra US$50 to US$600 to your total bill.
- Tooth Extraction or Root Canal: If your tooth decay has progressed, a tooth extraction or a root canal might be required. That costs between US$185 to US$2,500, depending on your location and how complex it will be.
- Follow-up Appointments: Naturally, you should be prepared for after-procedure check-ins with your dentist so that there can be appropriate maintenance for your dental filling. Follow-up appointments will cost you between US$70 to US$200 per visit, depending on the expertise and experience of your dentist and the location of the practice.
Read also: Pros and Cons of Having Two Dental Insurance
Available Financing Options for Having Your Dental Filling Without Insurance
There are several cost-managing options you can consider in trying to finance your dental filling without insurance:
- Payment Plan: Several dental practices will offer you a payment plan for your proposed procedure. You can elect to have your dental filling done in one of them.
- Dental Savings Plan: These plans enable you to access discounted dental services at select practices when you have subscribed for an annual fee.
- Community Clinics: They offer quality dental services at affordable rates based on income brackets.
- Dental Colleges: Here, you can access dental services like a filling for less-than-commercial rates. The procedure will be done by dentists-in-training under the supervision of their more experienced mentors.
Any one of these options is a tried and tested means of reducing the financial burden of having your proposed dental filling done.
Preventive Dental Care is Best
The best advice any dentist will give to you is to pay attention to and invest more in preventive dental care. This is guaranteed to give you the best outcome for your oral health, so much so that you will not need to ask the question: “How much is a dental filling without insurance?”
- Stick to a Strict Daily Oral Hygiene Regimen: Brush your teeth twice every day with a fluoride toothpaste; floss regularly and use mouthwash after every meal.
- Eat Healthy Food: Stay away from foods that negatively impact your oral health. For example, limit your intake of acidic substances like carbonated drinks and sugary foods like chocolate.
- Do Regular Dental Check-Ups: Check in with your dentist regularly, ideally. Once every six months. It is easier and cheaper to treat dental cavities when it is detected on time.
Read also: How Long Does a Dental Cleaning Take?
Conclusion
Having a dental filling without insurance might turn out to be a significant cost you should be well-prepared for. Explore your options in detail and depth. Check on practices in and around your state where you can have the procedure done at less cost. Especially, take a good look at dental colleges or community health centers in your location.
Lastly, remember that prevention is always better than the cure. Invest heavily in your daily dental care routine to reduce the occurrence of dental cavities to the barest min
