Cost of common dental procedures

Budgeting for dental care can be a challenge. The price of dental procedures can vary from 1 dentist to another—or from 1 state to another. And the type of dental insurance you have (or don’t have) can affect how much you pay out of pocket.

To give you an idea, we used our Dental Procedure Pricing Tool to estimate the cost of common dental procedures. All of the average costs in this article are for dental procedures in Orlando, Florida.

Here’s a closer look at the cost of common dental procedures.

Key points:

Preventive dental care may include basic cleaning and polishing, which can cost up to $109.
Basic care may include fillings, which can cost up to $217 for a resin-based composite filling.
Major dental procedures may include root canals , dentures , even dental implants , which can cost thousands of dollars.
Not all dentists provide a price list for their services so it’s always good to ask what a procedure will cost before you schedule an appointment.

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 some common dental procedures.

Dental cleaning costs

If you have dental insurance, preventive dental care services like exams and cleanings may be 100% covered.

If your plan doesn’t cover these services, average prices are:

Basic cleaning and polish: Up to $109
Panoramic X-rays: Up to $160

Dental filling costs

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

Amalgam - two surfaces, primary or permanent: $229
Resin-based composite - 1 surface, anterior: $199
Resin-based composite - 1 surface, posterior: $217
Resin-based composite - 2 surfaces, posterior: $274
Resin-based composite - 3 surfaces, posterior: $333

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Dental crown costs

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

Porcelain/ceramic: $1,387
Porcelain fused to high noble metal: $1,192
Full cast high noble metal: $1,440
Porcelain fused to noble metal: $1,248
Porcelain fused to predominantly base metal: $1,091

Tooth extraction costs

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

Extraction, erupted tooth requiring removal of bone and/or sectioning of tooth: $325
Extraction, erupted tooth or exposed root (elevation and/or forceps removal): $225
Removal of impacted tooth - completely bony: $500
Removal of impacted tooth - partially bony: $460
Removal of impacted tooth - soft tissue: $383

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:

Root canal, molar tooth (excluding final restoration): $1,175
Root canal, premolar tooth (excluding final restoration): $1,017
Root canal, anterior tooth (excluding final restoration): $900

The cost of dentures

The cost of dentures depends on several factors. These include the quality of the materials, if they’re permanent or removable and if you need them on your upper or lower jaw. Here are some ranges of estimated costs for dentures:

Partial dentures

Lower jaw – cast metal framework with resin denture bases (including retentive/clasping materials, rests and teeth): $1,965
Upper jaw – cast metal framework with resin denture bases (including retentive/clasping materials, rests and teeth): $2,104
Upper jaw – flexible base (including retentive/clasping materials, rests, and teeth): $1,839
Lower jaw – flexible base (including retentive/clasping materials, rests, and teeth): $1,830
Upper jaw – resin base (including retentive/clasping materials, rests, and teeth): $1,626

Complete dentures

Upper jaw – permanent: $2,083
Upper jaw – removable: $1,900
Lower jaw – permanent: $1,868
Lower jaw – removable: $1,835

Cost of root planing and scaling

Scaling and root planing , also called a “deep cleaning,” is a 2-step process to help treat gum disease . Scaling and root planing can cost between $235–$303 per quadrant. A quadrant is 1 of 4 equal sections in the mouth where the dental arches can be divided.

Cost of dental implants

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of titanium alloy. They are implanted in your jawbone to create a sturdy base to support 1 or more artificial teeth, called crowns . The total cost of an implant, abutment, crown and other necessary procedures ranges from $856-$2,122.

Reducing dental costs

Whether you have the added security of a dental insurance plan or you’re paying for dental care by yourself, you may still have options to save:

Use your HSA or FSA. If you have a health savings account (HAS) or flexible spending account (FSA) , you can use it to pay for routine appointments or to cover deductibles, copays or coinsurance for treatment recommended by your dentist.
Consider a dental discount plan. Dental discount plans are membership plans similar to those for grocery stores or wholesale clubs. But instead of bargains on groceries or TVs, you get discounted prices on dental services.
Check dental schools. Many dental schools offer reduced-cost dental treatment. It gives dental students a chance to gain valuable experience under the close supervision of licensed dentists.
For children, check out CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program). CHIP benefits often include dental services for children opens in new window , although benefits may vary from state to state.
Ask your dentist for a payment plan. If you have a provider who’s been your dentist for a while, but your current dental needs are breaking your budget, ask for a payment plan.

How ever you’re planning on paying for the dental care you need, costs can vary a lot from 1 dentist to the next. Take time to do a little comparison shopping. With just a few phone calls, you may be able to save money. Just be sure to confirm that each dentist you consider is part of your insurance plan’s network or you may end up paying more out of pocket.

Of course, 1 of the best ways to keep your dentistry costs down is to take good care of your teeth and gums.

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 .

Frequently asked questions

1. What’s the difference between preventive, basic and major dental services?

Preventive services usually include exams, cleanings, X-rays and fluoride treatment and may be paid by your dental plan without deductibles or copayments. Basic services include fillings, extractions and root canals.

Major services usually include crowns, dentures, implants and oral surgery.

2. Are dental expenses tax deductible?

Medical and dental expenses—including premiums—can only be deducted if they add up to 7.5% or more of your adjusted gross income (AGI) as it appears on your tax returns.¹⁰

3. What is a dental insurance waiting period?

A dental insurance waiting period—sometimes called an elimination period—is the time period for new members where basic and/or major dental services are not covered. For many dental insurance plans, preventive dental benefits (which typically include cleanings and X-rays) are not subject to waiting periods and are included as soon as your dental coverage starts.