How much does a dental filling cost: price range and what determines it
The cost of a filling isn't a fixed figure: it depends on the size of the cavity, the tooth affected and the material used. As a market reference, the OCU puts the median price of a filling in Spain at €80. Your exact quote comes from the check-up.
What determines the cost of a filling
- Size and depth of the cavity: a small cavity limited to the enamel is quicker to treat than one that has progressed towards the dentine or close to the nerve.
- Number of tooth surfaces affected: a filling on a single surface of the tooth is less work than one covering several surfaces.
- Material used: composite (tooth-coloured) or, increasingly rarely, silver amalgam.
- Tooth affected: molars, with larger, more irregular surfaces, usually need more work than an incisor.
- Additional preparation: if anaesthesia, special isolation or rebuilding a large part of the tooth is needed, the price rises compared with a simple filling.
Indicative market price
| Reference | Price |
|---|---|
| National median (all materials)* | €80 |
| Amalgam | The most affordable material, below the median |
| Composite (tooth-coloured) | Requires more work, above the median |
*Median price of a filling in Spain, according to the Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios (OCU) survey on dental health, November 2024. This is not Dentaláser's price, nor an official breakdown by material: your exact quote depends on your case and comes from the check-up, which is free at the first visit.
Composite or amalgam: why it affects the price
Silver amalgam is the most affordable material and very durable, but it has a visible metallic colour and is used less and less nowadays for aesthetic reasons. Composite, which matches the colour of the tooth itself, has become the majority choice: it requires more work (it's applied in thin layers that have to be shaped and polished), and that's reflected in a price somewhat higher than amalgam.
When a filling is no longer enough
Why delaying a filling costs more
A cavity doesn't stop by itself: if it isn't treated in time, it keeps progressing. What is a small, inexpensive filling today can turn, a few months later, into a large filling, a root canal or even the loss of the tooth. That's why a check-up every 6 months (the usual hygiene and prevention frequency) is the cheapest way to keep the cost of any cavity under control, as well as the most convenient for you.
Frequently asked questions
- Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios (OCU), dental health survey, November 2024: median price of a filling in Spain.
- This article is for information purposes only and does not replace the assessment of a healthcare professional. Always consult your dentist.
Check your teeth before a small cavity grows.
The first visit includes a full examination and, if needed, a detailed quote for the filling with no obligation whatsoever.
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