About Real Dental Costs
Real Dental Costs is an independent research project run by the Real Dental Costs Data & Research Team. Our mission is to make U.S. dental pricing clear and honest, so you can plan a procedure with confidence. We publish cost ranges built from public ADA, FAIR Health and CMS data — not clinical advice.
Our mission
Dental pricing is notoriously opaque. The same crown can cost $800 in one ZIP code and $2,200 in another, and most patients only learn the number in the chair. Nearly 9 in 10 consumers say they want to know the cost before they commit — and cost is the single most common reason people delay or decline care.
We exist to close that information gap. Every page is written to answer one practical question: what should this realistically cost, and how can I pay less? We do that with independent, sourced data instead of a single clinic's sales pitch.
Who reviews our content
Our work is produced and reviewed by the Real Dental Costs Data & Research Team — a collective of writers, fact-checkers and cost-data analysts who specialize in healthcare price transparency. We deliberately publish as a team rather than under invented "expert" bylines: the accountability sits with the documented process, not a persona.
[!IMPORTANT] We are not dentists. We publish cost and financial-planning information only. We do not diagnose conditions, recommend treatments, or give clinical advice. Always consult a licensed dentist before making any clinical decision.
Where our data comes from
We do not invent prices or rely on vague "industry estimates." Our ranges are compiled and cross-checked from established primary sources:
| Source | What it provides |
|---|---|
| ADA Dental Fee Survey | National and regional average fees by procedure |
| FAIR Health | Consumer claims data, priced down to the ZIP-code level |
| CMS fee schedules | Government reimbursement benchmarks |
| Published 2024–2026 cost studies | Independent validation of our ranges |
Every cost page is tied back to this process. You can read the full data-handling and verification steps on our methodology page.
How we make money
We believe a transparency site should be transparent about its own finances:
- We may earn affiliate commissions when readers compare or apply for dental insurance or financing through links on the site.
- We are not paid by any dental provider, manufacturer or clinic.
- Affiliate relationships never change our cost figures or which options we present as better value.
Editorial independence
No clinic, insurer or manufacturer can pay to alter a price, move a ranking, or receive favorable coverage. Our cost data is derived solely from public sources and consumer-protection considerations. Sponsored content, if it ever existed, would be clearly labeled — currently there is none.
How to contact or correct us
Accuracy is the whole point of the site, so corrections are welcome.
- Report an incorrect price: email us the procedure, your location, and the source of the correct figure. We review every submission and aim to respond within 72 hours, updating the page once a correction is verified.
- Data and licensing inquiries: non-commercial reuse is fine with attribution to "Real Dental Costs" and a link to the page; for commercial licensing, contact us first.
Explore the site
Our Methodology
How we source, verify and update every cost figure.
Dental Cost Guides
Independent price ranges for every major procedure.
Dental Insurance
What plans actually cover and how to compare them.
Costs by State
How prices and coverage vary across the U.S.
Glossary
Plain-language definitions of dental and billing terms.
Find a Dentist
How to vet a provider and compare quotes.
Frequently asked questions
Who is behind Real Dental Costs?
Are you affiliated with any dental clinic or insurance company?
Where do your cost numbers come from?
How often is the data updated?
How do you make money?
Do you give medical or dental advice?
How do I report an incorrect price?
Can I cite or reuse your data?
Independent dental pricing research — figures verified against the ADA Dental Fee Survey, FAIR Health and CMS fee schedules. Not medical advice.