Cavity Filling Cost: Composite vs. Amalgam Guide

A cavity filling - the most common restorative dental procedure in the United States - typically costs between $75 and $250 per tooth for an amalgam filling or $150 to $400 per tooth for a composite resin filling without insurance, based on American Dental Association CDT code reference data for codes D2140 through D2394 and published cost guides from Cigna and Humana. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) reports that tooth decay is the most prevalent chronic disease in both children and adults in the United States, making filling costs one of the most commonly searched dental topics. This guide explains what drives cost differences across filling materials, how the number of tooth surfaces affects the fee, what dental insurance typically covers, and how to reduce out-of-pocket costs.

What Does a Cavity Filling Cost on Average?

The cost of a cavity filling depends primarily on the material selected, the number of tooth surfaces the filling must cover, and whether the tooth is a front or back tooth. The American Dental Association's CDT code reference distinguishes filling materials and surface counts, and these distinctions translate directly to different fee levels at the provider level.

The table below presents approximate out-of-pocket cost ranges by material and surface count, based on ADA CDT reference data and published Cigna and Humana cost guide ranges. These are national approximations; actual fees vary significantly by geographic market and provider. Fees in major metro markets routinely exceed these ranges.

Sources: American Dental Association CDT code reference (D2140-D2394); Cigna Healthcare knowledge center; Humana dental resources cost guide. Figures are approximate and vary by region, provider, and year.

Illustration: approximate cost ranges by filling material type. Heights represent general ranges; actual costs vary by surface count, region, and provider.

Cost by Filling Material: Composite, Amalgam, Ceramic

Amalgam fillings (silver fillings) are a metal alloy of mercury, silver, tin, and copper. The American Dental Association and the FDA both recognize amalgam as a safe and clinically durable restorative material for most patients. Amalgam's durability on high-load biting surfaces and its long clinical track record make it a common choice for posterior (back) teeth in general dentistry. It is typically the least expensive filling material.

Composite resin fillings (tooth-colored fillings) are a blend of glass or quartz particles in a resin matrix that can be color-matched to the shade of natural tooth enamel. The Cigna knowledge center notes that composite is the standard choice for anterior (front) teeth due to aesthetics and is increasingly used on posterior teeth as material technology has improved. Composite requires a dry field during placement, which is more technique-sensitive than amalgam and contributes to higher fees.

Ceramic and porcelain inlays and onlays are indirect restorations fabricated outside the mouth in a laboratory and cemented into place at a second appointment. These are used for larger decay areas where a direct filling would be insufficiently strong. They are more expensive than direct amalgam or composite fillings and are beyond the scope of this basic filling cost guide.

The ADA, FDA, and most state dental associations note that neither amalgam nor composite is clinically superior for all patients and all teeth. The right material for your specific situation depends on the location of the cavity, the amount of tooth structure remaining, your preferences, and your dentist's clinical judgment.

How Does the Number of Surfaces Affect Cost?

A tooth has five surfaces: occlusal (chewing surface), mesial (facing the front of the mouth), distal (facing the back), facial (facing the cheek or lip), and lingual (facing the tongue). Decay that spans multiple surfaces requires a larger filling and higher chair time, which is why CDT codes - and fees - increase with the number of surfaces involved.

A one-surface composite filling on a back tooth (CDT D2391) is priced lower than a two-surface (D2392), three-surface (D2393), or four-surface (D2394) filling on the same tooth. This is not a provider choice; the surface count is a clinical determination based on how far the decay extends, verified by your dentist on the X-ray and during cavity preparation.

When a cavity is very large and involves most of the tooth's coronal structure, the dentist may determine that a direct filling cannot reliably restore the tooth and that a dental crown - a full-coverage cap - is the more appropriate restoration. For a discussion of when a crown is recommended over a filling, and what crowns typically cost, see our guide on dental crown cost: materials and price ranges.

Illustration: the five tooth surfaces and how their involvement in a cavity determines the CDT code and cost of the filling.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Fillings?

Most dental insurance plans cover cavity fillings as a basic service at 70 to 80 percent of the allowed fee after the deductible, according to Humana dental resource data and Cigna published cost guides. However, coverage for composite vs. amalgam involves a common nuance.

Many plans cover composite fillings on front teeth at the composite rate. For back teeth, many plans pay only the amalgam rate - the lower of the two - for composite fillings, leaving the patient responsible for the cost difference between what amalgam would have cost and what composite actually costs. If you prefer tooth-colored fillings on back teeth and your plan applies this limitation, you should ask your provider's office for the expected cost difference before choosing composite over amalgam.

Ask your dental office to submit a pre-treatment estimate to your insurer for the specific CDT codes involved in your upcoming filling. The estimate will show what the plan is expected to pay and what your patient responsibility is before you make a material choice.

Front Tooth vs. Back Tooth: Does Location Affect Price?

Location affects both the material typically used and the fee. Front teeth (incisors and canines) are consistently treated with composite resin for aesthetic reasons; their lower biting load relative to molars makes composite appropriate in most cases. Back teeth (premolars and molars) bear most of the chewing force; amalgam has historically been the durable choice there, though modern composite materials are used successfully on posterior teeth by many dentists.

The CDT code structure reflects location: composite anterior fillings use D2330-D2335, while composite posterior fillings use D2391-D2394. Posterior composite codes typically carry higher fees because placement requires more technique, time, and isolation than anterior fillings.

From an insurance standpoint, anterior composite coverage is commonly at the composite rate. Posterior composite coverage varies; some plans cover it at composite rates, others at amalgam rates, and some cover it only when amalgam is contraindicated. Review your Explanation of Benefits or call your insurer to confirm which CDT codes are covered and at what percentage.

How Long Does a Filling Last?

Filling longevity depends on material, size, location, and patient factors. The American Dental Association notes that amalgam fillings have a long documented clinical history and can last 10 to 15 years or more under favorable conditions. Composite resin fillings typically last 5 to 10 years, according to ADA guidance on restorative materials, though the range is wide and modern composite systems have improved longevity outcomes compared to earlier formulations.

Factors that shorten filling life include: large filling size (more surface area under stress); location on a high-load molar surface; parafunctional habits such as bruxism (teeth grinding); and gaps or secondary decay that develop at the filling margin over time. Your dentist monitors existing fillings at recall visits and will advise when a filling needs replacement - typically when there is evidence of marginal breakdown, secondary decay, or fracture.

If a filling fails because the underlying decay has advanced to involve the pulp tissue, a root canal and crown may be needed rather than a simple refilling. For cost information on those restorations, see our guides on root canal cost and dental crown cost.

Ways to Reduce the Cost of a Cavity Filling

Dental school clinics. Accredited dental programs offer fillings at reduced fees under licensed faculty supervision. The Commission on Dental Accreditation maintains a directory of accredited dental schools. Appointments typically take longer than at private practices.

Federally Qualified Health Centers. HRSA-funded FQHCs provide dental services including restorative fillings at sliding-scale fees based on income. The HRSA findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov locator identifies nearby sites.

Dental discount plans. Membership plans negotiate reduced fee schedules with participating dentists for a flat annual membership fee. These are not insurance; they reduce the fee you pay but do not reimburse any portion of it.

Choosing the appropriate material. If aesthetics are not a priority for a back tooth and your dentist agrees it is a clinically appropriate choice, amalgam is typically less expensive than composite for the same surface coverage. Discuss the trade-offs with your dentist.

Early treatment. Small cavities cost less to fill than large ones, because less tooth structure has been lost and fewer surfaces are involved. Attending regular recall appointments - which allows your dentist to catch decay early - is one of the most direct ways to keep filling costs lower over time. Our guide on how to prevent cavities covers the prevention strategies the ADA recommends.

For a broader look at dental cost management without insurance coverage, see our guide on cost of dental care without insurance.