{
  "meta": {
    "api_version": "v1",
    "edition": "2026.1",
    "generated_at": "2026-09-06T12:05:05.801Z",
    "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
    "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
    "attribution_required": true,
    "attribution": "Real Dental Costs — https://realdentalcosts.com",
    "doi": "https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20531728",
    "methodology": "https://realdentalcosts.com/en/methodology/",
    "docs": "https://realdentalcosts.com/en/api/",
    "disclaimer": "Independent pricing and market research. NOT medical, dental or insurance advice."
  },
  "state": "South Carolina",
  "code": "SC",
  "restorative_cost_index": {
    "value": 92,
    "note": "Restorative Cost Index (implant-based, 100 = national observed implant average). Valid ONLY for the restorative regime (implant / crown / denture, mutually correlated 0.93-0.96). It does NOT predict orthodontic (braces) or cosmetic (veneer) prices — never rank those with it. See /en/data-corrections/."
  },
  "affordability_score": 54,
  "medicaid": {
    "pct_dentists_accepting": 42.2,
    "adult_dental_coverage_level": "limited",
    "source": "https://realdentalcosts.com/data/us-dental-insurance-acceptance-by-state-2026.csv",
    "doi": "https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20666358"
  },
  "observed_state_averages_usd": {
    "note": "Measured state averages. implant = Real Dental Costs' own observed series; veneer/crown/braces/denture = ASQ360/CareCredit Average Procedural Cost Study (2023-2024). Attribute the source when displayed.",
    "implant": 4158,
    "crown": 1217,
    "veneer": 1856,
    "braces": 6127,
    "denture_full_both_arches": 1858
  },
  "procedures": [
    {
      "id": "exam",
      "slug": "exam-cleaning-xrays",
      "label": "Exam, cleaning & X-rays",
      "category": "preventive",
      "basis": "estimated",
      "basis_note": "No per-state source exists. The national figure is scaled by the state's Restorative Cost Index. Defensible only inside the restorative regime (procedures mutually correlated 0.93-0.96). Treat as an estimate.",
      "low_usd": 45,
      "avg_usd": 185,
      "high_usd": 320,
      "provenance": {
        "price_type": "estimated_index",
        "basis": "estimated",
        "source_id": "rdc_national_procedure_cost_2026",
        "source": "Real Dental Costs national exam + cleaning + x-rays range (published payer/provider fee data 2024-2026) scaled by the state Restorative Cost Index",
        "source_url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/data/us-dental-procedure-cost-2026.csv",
        "observation_type": "national range × state index (modelled)",
        "period": "2024-2026",
        "period_end": "2026-06",
        "sample_n": null,
        "geo_level": "state",
        "updated": "2026-08-23",
        "modeled": true,
        "confidence": 59,
        "confidence_note": "No per-state source exists for this procedure; state values are modelled from the national range. Defensible inside the restorative regime only."
      },
      "url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/api/v1/procedure/exam-cleaning-xrays.json"
    },
    {
      "id": "filling",
      "slug": "composite-filling",
      "label": "Composite filling (1 tooth)",
      "category": "basic",
      "basis": "estimated",
      "basis_note": "No per-state source exists. The national figure is scaled by the state's Restorative Cost Index. Defensible only inside the restorative regime (procedures mutually correlated 0.93-0.96). Treat as an estimate.",
      "low_usd": 85,
      "avg_usd": 210,
      "high_usd": 415,
      "provenance": {
        "price_type": "estimated_index",
        "basis": "estimated",
        "source_id": "rdc_national_procedure_cost_2026",
        "source": "Real Dental Costs national composite filling range (published payer/provider fee data 2024-2026) scaled by the state Restorative Cost Index",
        "source_url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/data/us-dental-procedure-cost-2026.csv",
        "observation_type": "national range × state index (modelled)",
        "period": "2024-2026",
        "period_end": "2026-06",
        "sample_n": null,
        "geo_level": "state",
        "updated": "2026-08-23",
        "modeled": true,
        "confidence": 59,
        "confidence_note": "No per-state source exists for this procedure; state values are modelled from the national range. Defensible inside the restorative regime only."
      },
      "url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/api/v1/procedure/composite-filling.json"
    },
    {
      "id": "deepclean",
      "slug": "deep-cleaning-srp",
      "label": "Deep cleaning (SRP, per quadrant)",
      "category": "basic",
      "basis": "estimated",
      "basis_note": "No per-state source exists. The national figure is scaled by the state's Restorative Cost Index. Defensible only inside the restorative regime (procedures mutually correlated 0.93-0.96). Treat as an estimate.",
      "low_usd": 155,
      "avg_usd": 225,
      "high_usd": 325,
      "provenance": {
        "price_type": "estimated_index",
        "basis": "estimated",
        "source_id": "rdc_national_procedure_cost_2026",
        "source": "Real Dental Costs national deep cleaning (SRP) range (published payer/provider fee data 2024-2026) scaled by the state Restorative Cost Index",
        "source_url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/data/us-dental-procedure-cost-2026.csv",
        "observation_type": "national range × state index (modelled)",
        "period": "2024-2026",
        "period_end": "2026-06",
        "sample_n": null,
        "geo_level": "state",
        "updated": "2026-08-23",
        "modeled": true,
        "confidence": 59,
        "confidence_note": "No per-state source exists for this procedure; state values are modelled from the national range. Defensible inside the restorative regime only."
      },
      "url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/api/v1/procedure/deep-cleaning-srp.json"
    },
    {
      "id": "extraction",
      "slug": "tooth-extraction",
      "label": "Tooth extraction",
      "category": "basic",
      "basis": "estimated",
      "basis_note": "No per-state source exists. The national figure is scaled by the state's Restorative Cost Index. Defensible only inside the restorative regime (procedures mutually correlated 0.93-0.96). Treat as an estimate.",
      "low_usd": 70,
      "avg_usd": 275,
      "high_usd": 735,
      "provenance": {
        "price_type": "estimated_index",
        "basis": "estimated",
        "source_id": "rdc_national_procedure_cost_2026",
        "source": "Real Dental Costs national tooth extraction range (published payer/provider fee data 2024-2026) scaled by the state Restorative Cost Index",
        "source_url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/data/us-dental-procedure-cost-2026.csv",
        "observation_type": "national range × state index (modelled)",
        "period": "2024-2026",
        "period_end": "2026-06",
        "sample_n": null,
        "geo_level": "state",
        "updated": "2026-08-23",
        "modeled": true,
        "confidence": 59,
        "confidence_note": "No per-state source exists for this procedure; state values are modelled from the national range. Defensible inside the restorative regime only."
      },
      "url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/api/v1/procedure/tooth-extraction.json"
    },
    {
      "id": "rootcanal",
      "slug": "root-canal",
      "label": "Root canal",
      "category": "major",
      "basis": "estimated",
      "basis_note": "No per-state source exists. The national figure is scaled by the state's Restorative Cost Index. Defensible only inside the restorative regime (procedures mutually correlated 0.93-0.96). Treat as an estimate.",
      "low_usd": 460,
      "avg_usd": 1010,
      "high_usd": 1380,
      "provenance": {
        "price_type": "estimated_index",
        "basis": "estimated",
        "source_id": "rdc_national_procedure_cost_2026",
        "source": "Real Dental Costs national root canal range (published payer/provider fee data 2024-2026) scaled by the state Restorative Cost Index",
        "source_url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/data/us-dental-procedure-cost-2026.csv",
        "observation_type": "national range × state index (modelled)",
        "period": "2024-2026",
        "period_end": "2026-06",
        "sample_n": null,
        "geo_level": "state",
        "updated": "2026-08-23",
        "modeled": true,
        "confidence": 59,
        "confidence_note": "No per-state source exists for this procedure; state values are modelled from the national range. Defensible inside the restorative regime only."
      },
      "url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/api/v1/procedure/root-canal.json"
    },
    {
      "id": "allon4",
      "slug": "all-on-4",
      "label": "All-on-4 (per arch)",
      "category": "excluded",
      "basis": "estimated",
      "basis_note": "No per-state source exists. The national figure is scaled by the state's Restorative Cost Index. Defensible only inside the restorative regime (procedures mutually correlated 0.93-0.96). Treat as an estimate.",
      "low_usd": 10710,
      "avg_usd": 13960,
      "high_usd": 25300,
      "provenance": {
        "price_type": "estimated_index",
        "basis": "estimated",
        "source_id": "rdc_national_procedure_cost_2026",
        "source": "Real Dental Costs national All-on-4 range (published payer/provider fee data 2024-2026) scaled by the state Restorative Cost Index",
        "source_url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/data/us-dental-procedure-cost-2026.csv",
        "observation_type": "national range × state index (modelled)",
        "period": "2024-2026",
        "period_end": "2026-06",
        "sample_n": null,
        "geo_level": "state",
        "updated": "2026-08-23",
        "modeled": true,
        "confidence": 59,
        "confidence_note": "No per-state source exists for this procedure; state values are modelled from the national range. Defensible inside the restorative regime only."
      },
      "url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/api/v1/procedure/all-on-4.json"
    },
    {
      "id": "whitening",
      "slug": "teeth-whitening",
      "label": "Professional teeth whitening",
      "category": "cosmetic",
      "basis": "national",
      "basis_note": "Cosmetic procedure with no per-state source. Cosmetic pricing does not follow restorative geography, so no state variation is invented: every state carries the national range.",
      "low_usd": 300,
      "avg_usd": 650,
      "high_usd": 1000,
      "provenance": {
        "price_type": "national_band",
        "basis": "national",
        "source_id": "rdc_national_procedure_cost_2026",
        "source": "Real Dental Costs national teeth-whitening range (published payer/provider fee data 2024-2026); no state variation invented",
        "source_url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/data/us-dental-procedure-cost-2026.csv",
        "observation_type": "national range only (cosmetic)",
        "period": "2024-2026",
        "period_end": "2026-06",
        "sample_n": null,
        "geo_level": "national",
        "updated": "2026-08-23",
        "modeled": true,
        "confidence": 46,
        "confidence_note": "Cosmetic pricing does not follow restorative geography: every state carries the national range."
      },
      "url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/api/v1/procedure/teeth-whitening.json"
    },
    {
      "id": "crown",
      "slug": "dental-crown",
      "label": "Dental crown",
      "category": "major",
      "basis": "observed",
      "basis_note": "The state AVERAGE is a measured price (implant = Real Dental Costs' own observed series, DOI 10.5281/zenodo.20531728, validated against ASQ360 at Spearman 0.945; crown/veneer/braces/dentures = ASQ360/CareCredit Average Procedural Cost Study 2023-2024). The [low, high] band around the state average is MODELLED from published national ratios, not an observed percentile.",
      "low_usd": 930,
      "avg_usd": 1217,
      "high_usd": 2070,
      "provenance": {
        "price_type": "observed_market",
        "basis": "observed",
        "source_id": "asq360_carecredit_2023_2024",
        "source": "ASQ360°/CareCredit Average Procedural Cost Study 2023-2024 (state averages)",
        "source_url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/en/methodology/#sources",
        "observation_type": "published cash-price survey, state average",
        "period": "2023-2024",
        "period_end": "2024-12",
        "sample_n": 51,
        "geo_level": "state",
        "updated": "2026-08-23",
        "modeled": false,
        "confidence": 65,
        "confidence_note": "Measured state average; the [low, high] band around it is modelled from published national ratios, not an observed percentile."
      },
      "url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/api/v1/procedure/dental-crown.json"
    },
    {
      "id": "veneer",
      "slug": "porcelain-veneer",
      "label": "Porcelain veneer (per tooth)",
      "category": "cosmetic",
      "basis": "observed",
      "basis_note": "The state AVERAGE is a measured price (implant = Real Dental Costs' own observed series, DOI 10.5281/zenodo.20531728, validated against ASQ360 at Spearman 0.945; crown/veneer/braces/dentures = ASQ360/CareCredit Average Procedural Cost Study 2023-2024). The [low, high] band around the state average is MODELLED from published national ratios, not an observed percentile.",
      "low_usd": 525,
      "avg_usd": 1856,
      "high_usd": 3045,
      "provenance": {
        "price_type": "observed_market",
        "basis": "observed",
        "source_id": "asq360_carecredit_2023_2024",
        "source": "ASQ360°/CareCredit Average Procedural Cost Study 2023-2024 (state averages)",
        "source_url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/en/methodology/#sources",
        "observation_type": "published cash-price survey, state average",
        "period": "2023-2024",
        "period_end": "2024-12",
        "sample_n": 51,
        "geo_level": "state",
        "updated": "2026-08-23",
        "modeled": false,
        "confidence": 65,
        "confidence_note": "Measured state average; the [low, high] band around it is modelled from published national ratios, not an observed percentile."
      },
      "url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/api/v1/procedure/porcelain-veneer.json"
    },
    {
      "id": "braces",
      "slug": "braces",
      "label": "Braces (traditional, full case)",
      "category": "ortho",
      "basis": "observed",
      "basis_note": "The state AVERAGE is a measured price (implant = Real Dental Costs' own observed series, DOI 10.5281/zenodo.20531728, validated against ASQ360 at Spearman 0.945; crown/veneer/braces/dentures = ASQ360/CareCredit Average Procedural Cost Study 2023-2024). The [low, high] band around the state average is MODELLED from published national ratios, not an observed percentile.",
      "low_usd": 2415,
      "avg_usd": 6127,
      "high_usd": 9660,
      "provenance": {
        "price_type": "observed_market",
        "basis": "observed",
        "source_id": "asq360_carecredit_2023_2024",
        "source": "ASQ360°/CareCredit Average Procedural Cost Study 2023-2024 (state averages)",
        "source_url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/en/methodology/#sources",
        "observation_type": "published cash-price survey, state average",
        "period": "2023-2024",
        "period_end": "2024-12",
        "sample_n": 51,
        "geo_level": "state",
        "updated": "2026-08-23",
        "modeled": false,
        "confidence": 65,
        "confidence_note": "Measured state average; the [low, high] band around it is modelled from published national ratios, not an observed percentile."
      },
      "url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/api/v1/procedure/braces.json"
    },
    {
      "id": "implant",
      "slug": "dental-implant",
      "label": "Single dental implant (complete)",
      "category": "excluded",
      "basis": "observed",
      "basis_note": "The state AVERAGE is a measured price (implant = Real Dental Costs' own observed series, DOI 10.5281/zenodo.20531728, validated against ASQ360 at Spearman 0.945; crown/veneer/braces/dentures = ASQ360/CareCredit Average Procedural Cost Study 2023-2024). The [low, high] band around the state average is MODELLED from published national ratios, not an observed percentile.",
      "low_usd": 3470,
      "avg_usd": 4158,
      "high_usd": 5290,
      "provenance": {
        "price_type": "observed_market",
        "basis": "observed",
        "source_id": "rdc_observed_implant_2026",
        "source": "Real Dental Costs observed single-implant series (51 state markets, DOI 10.5281/zenodo.20531728; Spearman 0.945 vs ASQ360)",
        "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20531728",
        "observation_type": "own observed cash-price series, state average",
        "period": "2025-2026",
        "period_end": "2026-06",
        "sample_n": 51,
        "geo_level": "state",
        "updated": "2026-08-23",
        "modeled": false,
        "confidence": 72,
        "confidence_note": "Measured state average (own series); the band around it is modelled from the observed spread across the 51 markets."
      },
      "url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/api/v1/procedure/dental-implant.json"
    },
    {
      "id": "dentures",
      "slug": "dentures",
      "label": "Full set of dentures (both arches)",
      "category": "major",
      "basis": "observed",
      "basis_note": "The state AVERAGE is a measured price (implant = Real Dental Costs' own observed series, DOI 10.5281/zenodo.20531728, validated against ASQ360 at Spearman 0.945; crown/veneer/braces/dentures = ASQ360/CareCredit Average Procedural Cost Study 2023-2024). The [low, high] band around the state average is MODELLED from published national ratios, not an observed percentile.",
      "low_usd": 1435,
      "avg_usd": 1858,
      "high_usd": 3445,
      "provenance": {
        "price_type": "observed_market",
        "basis": "observed",
        "source_id": "asq360_carecredit_2023_2024",
        "source": "ASQ360°/CareCredit Average Procedural Cost Study 2023-2024 (state averages)",
        "source_url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/en/methodology/#sources",
        "observation_type": "published cash-price survey, state average",
        "period": "2023-2024",
        "period_end": "2024-12",
        "sample_n": 51,
        "geo_level": "state",
        "updated": "2026-08-23",
        "modeled": false,
        "confidence": 65,
        "confidence_note": "Measured state average; the [low, high] band around it is modelled from published national ratios, not an observed percentile."
      },
      "url": "https://realdentalcosts.com/api/v1/procedure/dentures.json"
    }
  ]
}