Without insurance, a dentist visit costs about $200 to $350 for an exam, cleaning, and X-rays. A filling runs $150 to $450, a crown $700 to $2,000, and a root canal $700 to $1,500. Insurance changes the math a lot — it covers most preventive care but only a slice of major work, capped at a low annual maximum. Here's the procedure-by-procedure breakdown and how to lower the bill.
We build websites and lead systems for dental practices, so we see these fee schedules constantly. This is the plain-English version, with the honest note that prevention is the cheapest dentistry there is.
A routine checkup. With insurance, preventive care is usually covered at or near 100%, so this is often free or close to it. Skipping it is how cheap problems become expensive ones.
Per tooth, depending on size and material (composite costs more than amalgam). Typically covered around 80% by insurance after the deductible.
Porcelain costs more than metal. Considered major work, so insurance often covers only about 50% — and that's where the annual maximum runs out fast.
Front teeth cost less than molars. A crown usually follows, so budget for both. Cosmetic work like veneers ($900–$2,500 per tooth) and whitening is paid fully out of pocket.
Dental insurance is not like medical insurance. The usual structure:
New patients compare your fees and check whether you take their insurance before they call, and they pick the practice that feels transparent. A clear website plus local SEO is how you get found for "dentist near me" and capture the new patient while they're deciding. We build it from $249/mo with 24/7 AI lead capture, and add the monthly SEO engine at $597/mo — month-to-month, you own the site.
Related: dentist marketing, dentist website design, SEO for dentists, and more in cost guides.
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About $200–$350 for an exam, cleaning, and X-rays. A filling is $150–$450, a crown $700–$2,000, and a root canal $700–$1,500.
No. Preventive care is usually ~100%, basic work ~80%, major work ~50%, up to a low annual maximum of $1,000–$2,000. Cosmetic work isn't covered.
Keep up with cleanings, ask about an in-house membership plan, compare written treatment plans, and consider a dental school clinic.
Location, experience, materials, and insurance network all move the price. The same crown can cost very differently across two practices, so get a written estimate.
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