Insurance companies generally consider replacing fillings with composites to improve your smile a cosmetic procedure. However, if the old filling is cracked, broken down or leaking, your dentist can submit the required forms to your insurance. The company may reimburse you for these types of fillings. Most insurance companies will only cover a percentage (generally 50% to 80%) of these fillings. However, many people who want to have an attractive appearance find the cost of having their teeth improved is well worth the personal expense.
White fillings are generally more time consuming and technique sensitive therefore they are more expensive than amalgam fillings. Although costs vary across the country and by dental office, the cost of a typical silver filling may range from approximately $75.00 to $145.00 per filling, whereas a white filling might range from $150.00 to $200.00 for a single surface white composite. The benefits you receive are that the tooth is returned back to near its original pre-filled or pre-decayed strength and its color is closely matched with the overall tooth color.
Sealants
Note: These are not fillings, but are a preventive coating placed in the pits and grooves of the biting surfaces of your teeth and are used to protect non-damaged teeth from tooth decay.
Though the cost of sealants varies, they are much less expensive than the cost of a filling. Many parents and patients choose to pay for the application of sealants, as a preventive measure.
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