Dental Filling Cost by State: How Prices Vary Across the US
Dental filling costs vary 20 to 30% across the US. The national average for a composite filling is about $226. Northeast and West Coast states run 15 to 25% above average; the South and rural Midwest run 10 to 20% below.
Regional Overview
Northeast
+15-25%
Highest costs. NY, MA, CT lead. High rent, malpractice insurance, and cost of living.
West Coast
+5-20%
Above average. CA highest, OR and WA moderate. Urban areas significantly more.
Midwest
-5% to +5%
Near average. IL slightly above, IA and KS slightly below. Metro areas are higher.
South
-10-20%
Lowest costs outside major metros. MS, AL, AR are cheapest. FL near national average.
50-State Composite Filling Cost Table
Estimated 2-surface composite filling (D2392) cost range, indexed against the $226 national average. Green = below average, red = above average.
| State | Price Range | vs National Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $130-$250 | -15% |
| Alaska | $190-$360 | +18% |
| Arizona | $155-$290 | +2% |
| Arkansas | $125-$240 | -18% |
| California | $185-$370 | +20% |
| Colorado | $165-$310 | +7% |
| Connecticut | $190-$370 | +22% |
| Delaware | $165-$310 | +5% |
| Florida | $155-$295 | +1% |
| Georgia | $150-$285 | -2% |
| Hawaii | $195-$380 | +25% |
| Idaho | $145-$270 | -8% |
| Illinois | $170-$320 | +8% |
| Indiana | $145-$275 | -5% |
| Iowa | $140-$265 | -8% |
| Kansas | $140-$265 | -8% |
| Kentucky | $130-$245 | -15% |
| Louisiana | $140-$260 | -10% |
| Maine | $160-$305 | +3% |
| Maryland | $175-$335 | +12% |
| Massachusetts | $195-$375 | +23% |
| Michigan | $150-$285 | -3% |
| Minnesota | $160-$305 | +3% |
| Mississippi | $120-$230 | -22% |
| Missouri | $140-$270 | -7% |
| Montana | $150-$280 | -3% |
| Nebraska | $145-$270 | -5% |
| Nevada | $160-$305 | +3% |
| New Hampshire | $170-$325 | +10% |
| New Jersey | $185-$355 | +18% |
| New Mexico | $140-$265 | -8% |
| New York | $195-$385 | +25% |
| North Carolina | $150-$285 | -2% |
| North Dakota | $145-$270 | -5% |
| Ohio | $150-$280 | -3% |
| Oklahoma | $135-$255 | -12% |
| Oregon | $170-$320 | +8% |
| Pennsylvania | $165-$315 | +5% |
| Rhode Island | $175-$330 | +10% |
| South Carolina | $140-$270 | -7% |
| South Dakota | $140-$265 | -8% |
| Tennessee | $140-$265 | -8% |
| Texas | $150-$290 | -2% |
| Utah | $150-$285 | -3% |
| Vermont | $165-$310 | +5% |
| Virginia | $165-$315 | +5% |
| Washington | $175-$330 | +10% |
| West Virginia | $125-$240 | -18% |
| Wisconsin | $150-$285 | -2% |
| Wyoming | $150-$280 | -3% |
Prices are estimates based on regional cost-of-living data and dental fee surveys. Actual costs vary by specific city, dentist, and practice type.
Most and Least Expensive States
5 Most Expensive
- New York - $195-$385 (+25%)
- Hawaii - $195-$380 (+25%)
- Massachusetts - $195-$375 (+23%)
- Connecticut - $190-$370 (+22%)
- California - $185-$370 (+20%)
5 Least Expensive
- Mississippi - $120-$230 (-22%)
- West Virginia - $125-$240 (-18%)
- Arkansas - $125-$240 (-18%)
- Alabama - $130-$250 (-15%)
- Kentucky - $130-$245 (-15%)
Why Prices Vary
Cost of Living
Office rent, staff wages, and utilities are 2-3x higher in Manhattan than rural Mississippi. These overhead costs pass directly to patients.
Dentist Supply
States with fewer dentists per capita tend to have higher prices due to lower competition. Rural areas often have fewer dental providers.
State Regulations
Malpractice insurance costs vary dramatically by state. New York dentists pay 3-5x more in malpractice premiums than those in low-litigation states.
Insurance Landscape
States with higher insurance penetration may have more competitive pricing. States with more Medicaid restrictions can push costs higher for private patients.
Lab Costs
Dental labs that fabricate crowns and inlays charge more in high-cost-of-living states. This affects indirect restorations more than fillings.
Local Competition
Urban areas with many dentists competing for patients may have more competitive pricing than suburban areas with fewer options.
Urban vs Rural Within States
The difference within a state can be as large as the difference between states. A composite filling in Manhattan costs 30 to 40% more than the same filling in rural upstate New York. In California, San Francisco and Los Angeles prices run 20 to 30% above the state average, while Central Valley prices are near the national average.
Major metro areas that consistently run above their state average include New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Seattle, Washington DC, Chicago, and Miami. If you live in or near one of these cities, expect prices at the higher end of your state's range.
How to Find Fair Prices in Your Area
FAIR Health Consumer: Visit fairhealthconsumer.org and enter your zip code plus the ADA code (e.g., D2392 for a 2-surface posterior composite). The tool shows the 50th and 80th percentile costs for your specific area. This is the best publicly available benchmarking tool.
Call 3 dentists: Request quotes from three local dentists for the specific procedure. Specify the ADA code if you have it. Most offices will quote filling prices over the phone.
Check insurance fee schedules: If you have dental insurance, your plan's provider directory often shows the fee schedule for in-network dentists. This tells you the maximum allowed charge you would be responsible for.