Cavities are not uncommon in children. If you suspect your child has a cavity, it’s essential you schedule an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible to halt tooth decay and prevent serious complications.
The cost of a cavity filling is a concern for many families. Even if you have dental insurance, your policy may not cover your child’s filling if it’s not deemed medically necessary and, in some cases, your insurance provider may only cover part of the cost.
If you’re worried about the cost of a cavity filling without insurance, Kool Smiles Kids Club can help. We have partner dentists across the country who accept Medicaid, TRICARE, CHIP (formerly SCHIP), and most major insurance policies. Kool Smiles’ partner dentists welcome families who don’t have insurance and make paying out-of-pocket more convenient by accepting a variety of payment types.
Dental filling costs without insurance can vary. The total cost of your child’s treatment will depend on the severity of the cavity (or cavities), how many teeth need fillings, and which type of filling material you choose. The average cost of each type of filling, according to CostHelper, is:
It’s important to note that these costs are just estimates. We recommend scheduling a consultation with a Kool Smiles Kids Club partner dentist for a precise quote.
The total cost of a cavity filling is largely affected by the filling material. Other contributing factors include:
Silver fillings have been around for more than 150 years. They typically contain some mixture of metals, including elemental mercury, silver, tin, and copper.
Some parents are concerned about the use of mercury in fillings. Typically, about 50% of a silver filling is liquid mercury. When it’s combined with the other metals in the filling, the liquid mercury stabilizes. Mercury, as a filling component, has the FDA stamp of approval.
Powdered glass and acrylic resin bond together to create a compound that’s stronger than either of the elements would be on its own. Composite resin fillings are typically tooth-colored, so they’re much less noticeable than silver amalgam fillings.
These durable fillings can cost up to ten times more than metal fillings. They tend to last up to 15 years (or more), so they’re typically worth the initial investment.
Cavities only get worse with time. Without timely treatment, a cavity can spread so far that a root canal or tooth extraction is required. If you suspect your child has a cavity, seek advice from a dentist as soon as possible.
While you can’t reverse cavities, you can prevent them. Here’s what you need to know about how cavities form:
At Kool Smiles Kids Club, we understand that receiving dental care can be scary for a child. Our partner dentists go above and beyond to ensure that every child feels good about going to the dentist. Your local Kool Smiles Kids Club partner dentist will walk you and your child through each step of the appointment, so there are no surprises.
The entire filling appointment typically takes about an hour. The first step is a routine physical examination where the dentist will assess your child’s overall oral health. In some cases, the dentist may recommend x-rays. Before starting the filling process, the dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area surrounding the tooth. Using a small dental drill, they’ll drill a hole into the cavity and fill it with your chosen filling material. The numbing agent may not wear off until well after you leave the office.
A cavity filling isn’t a permanent fix – it won’t last forever. There are steps you can take to preserve the filling for as long as possible.
When the cavity filling is new:
In the long term:
Routine visits with a dentist will help preserve a cavity filling. Dentists are trained to spot subtle issues and can fix them before they lead to serious problems.
Quality dental care doesn’t have to break the bank. Kool Smiles Kids Club has a network of partner dentists who have flexible payment options to suit your budget. Our partners accept:
If you’re not sure which payment option (or combination of options) is best suited for your family’s unique situation, schedule a consultation with a Kool Smiles partner dentist. A member of the care team will work with you to find a payment strategy that works for you.