Cost of common dental procedures

Budgeting for dental care can be a challenge. The price of dental procedures can vary for many reasons, including where you live and if you have access to dentists in your plan’s network. Plus, the type of dental insurance you have (or don’t have) can affect how much you pay out of pocket.

To help you get a better understanding, here are some estimates and tips about dental costs.

Average dental costs by service

Some dentist offices may not provide a price list for their services. While your total out-of-pocket costs can depend on your dental insurance coverage, here are average costs for common dental procedures.

Dental cleaning costs

If you have dental insurance, preventive dental care services like exams and cleanings may be 100% covered.¹ If your plan doesn’t cover these services, average prices are:

Basic cleaning and polish: $75–$200
Panoramic X-rays: $100–$200²

Dental filling costs

The price for filling a cavity can depend on the tooth filling material, the size of the cavity to be filled and the location of the tooth.³ Here are some dental filling costs based on different materials:

Amalgam: $50–$150 for 1–2 teeth
Composite or ionomer: $90–$250 for 1–2 teeth
Gold: $250–$4500 for 1–2 teeth

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Dental crown costs

Like a filling, the cost of a crown is based on the material used.⁴ Here are typical prices for a dental crown:⁵

Metal: $500–$1,500 per tooth
Porcelain fused-to-metal (PFM): $600–$1,800 per tooth
Ceramic (porcelain): $800–$2,000 per tooth

Tooth extraction costs

How much you pay for getting a tooth pulled can depend size of the tooth, location of the tooth and difficulty of the procedure.⁶ A range of prices include:

Simple tooth extraction: $75–$250
Surgical tooth extraction: $180–$550
Wisdom tooth extraction: $120–$800

Root canal costs

Root canal prices can vary based on how severe the infection is and which tooth is affected. Ballpark estimates for commonly affected teeth are:

Incisor: $500–$1,000
Molar: $800–$1,500

The cost of dentures

The cost of dentures depends on several factors. These include the quality of the materials, the need for tooth extractions, or the cost of follow-up appointments for fitting adjustments. Here are some ranges of estimated costs for dentures:⁷

Low-cost dentures: $600–$1,000 for a full set
Mid-priced, mid-quality dentures: $1,000–$3,000 for a full set
High-quality dentures: $4,000–$8,000 for a full set

Reducing dental costs

Since costs can vary from location to location, as well as dentist to dentist, you might consider comparison shopping. By making a few phone calls, you may be able to save money. Just be sure to confirm that each dentist is part of your insurance plan’s network or you may end up paying more out-of-pocket costs.

Of course, the best way to keep your dentistry costs down is to take good care of your teeth and gums. Brushing twice daily, flossing once a day and getting your 6-month checkups are all part of keeping your mouth healthy, and your dentistry costs low.

Humana has dental plans that can lower your dental costs

If you’re looking to save money on dental care, Humana can help. We offer a broad range of dental plans with varying levels of coverage, many with affordable monthly premiums. Some of our plans also feature no waiting periods, which means you could get covered in about 5 days. To see plans and prices in your area, check out our Humana dental insurance page.