Dental Costs in Alberta (2026)
Under the Alberta DA 2026 Suggested Fee Guide, a recall exam is $81.05, scaling $87.25/unit (highest in Canada), a molar root canal $1,354.65, and a ceramic crown $1,072.55 + lab. These are verbatim ADA guide prices. Dentures and implants are estimated at $900–$1,750* and $3,500–$6,000* respectively.
Estimate your CDCP out-of-pocket cost
Alberta CDCP Out-of-Pocket Calculator
Income tier × procedure — 2026 ADA guide figures in CAD
paymentsCDCP Coverage & Out-of-Pocket Estimate
* Estimates based on 2025–2026 provincial suggested-fee guides (CAD). Actual costs vary by province and provider; figures flagged as estimates are modelled.
The CDCP reimburses at its own established fee. Because Alberta's scaling fee ($87.25/unit) is the highest in Canada, Alberta patients at the 60% or 40% tier may see a larger-than-average balance for cleaning appointments.
Dental costs in Alberta by procedure (2026)
* = estimate; dentures and implants not in the public ADA abbreviated guide. All other figures are verbatim from the ADA 2026 guide. Source: Real Dental Costs analysis.
| Procedure | Alberta (CAD) | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recall exam | $81 | $58 | +$23 |
| Scaling (per unit) | $87 | $65 | +$22 |
| Composite filling (1 surface) | $211 | $205 | +$6 |
| Simple extraction | $175 | $174 | +$1 |
| Root canal (molar) | $1,355 | $1,194 | +$161 |
| Complete denture (per arch) | $1,325* | $1,140 | +$185 |
| Cast partial denture | $1,150* | $1,210 | –$60 |
| Ceramic crown | $1,073 | $1,065 | +$8 |
| Single implant (full) | $4,750* | $4,475 | +$275 |
Alberta figures for dentures and implants marked * are estimates — not in the public ADA 2026 abbreviated guide.
About the Alberta DA Suggested Fee Guide
The Alberta Dental Association Suggested Fee Guide is published each January and is publicly available as a PDF. The 2026 edition covers most common procedure codes at the code level with verbatim dollar amounts. Key facts:
- Exam, scaling, filling, extraction, root canal and crown all have specific verbatim ADA 2026 prices listed in the public guide.
- Dentures (complete and partial) and implants are not listed in the public abbreviated version — figures on this page for those procedures are estimates.
- Alberta's scaling fee of $87.25/unit is the highest of any public provincial guide in Canada in 2026.
- Dentists may charge above or below the guide; Calgary and Edmonton urban practices may bill above.
What the CDCP covers in Alberta
For eligible Alberta residents with net family income under $90,000:
- No pre-authorization: recall exams, scaling (within frequency limits), composite fillings, simple extractions, standard root canals.
- Pre-authorization required: ceramic crowns, cast partial dentures.
- Excluded entirely: implants, implant-supported crowns, bone grafts.
Income tiers: under $70,000 = 100% of CDCP fee; $70,000–$79,999 = 60%; $80,000–$89,999 = 40%.
Why dental prices vary within Alberta
- Urban vs. rural: Calgary and Edmonton practices may bill above the ADA guide. Smaller Alberta cities typically follow guide closely.
- High scaling cost: at $87.25/unit, Alberta's scaling benchmark affects annual cleaning costs more than in other provinces.
- Denture and implant variation: no public benchmark exists for these procedures, so prices across Alberta clinics show wide variation.
Explore neighboring provinces
- Dental Costs in British Columbia — BCDA 2026, exam $63, crown $1,104
- Dental Costs in Saskatchewan — CDSS 2026, exam $44 (significantly lower)
See the full dental cost by province comparison or the CDCP coverage guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dentist cost in Alberta?
What is the Alberta DA fee guide?
Does the CDCP cover dental in Alberta?
Why is scaling so expensive in Alberta compared to other provinces?
Are dentures covered by the CDCP in Alberta?
Independent dental pricing research — figures verified against provincial suggested-fee guides (ODA, ACDQ, BCDA, etc.) and the CDCP coverage rules published on canada.ca. Pricing/market research, not medical or dental advice.