Compare Dental Costs in 2026
A checkup with cleaning averages about $203, a root canal $500-$1,500, a crown $500-$2,000, and a single implant $3,000-$6,000, while full-mouth reconstruction reaches $33,000+. Use the tool below to compare any procedure between two states — cash, insured or with a savings plan — or scroll on to weigh procedures against each other.
Compare two states side by side
Pick a procedure, two states and how you plan to pay. Implant, veneer and braces figures are observed state averages from our open US Dental Cost Index; the other procedures scale the national range by each state's composite Cost Index. Every comparison has its own shareable link.
Same procedure, $1,974 apart on average — cheaper in Alabama. Full list price, before any discounts.
Estimates from the open US Dental Cost Index (implant, veneer and braces averages observed per state; other procedures scaled by each state's composite Cost Index). Insurance view assumes a typical PPO (preventive ~100% / basic ~80% / major ~50%, $1,500 annual max); savings-plan view assumes 20-40% network discounts. Pricing research, not medical or benefits advice — confirm with an itemized quote.
Dental cost comparison at a glance
Most cost pages bury one procedure on its own page, so the numbers are impossible to weigh against each other. The chart below puts the major procedure families on a single dollar scale, each with its low–high range and the typical average marked. Figures are compiled from published payer and provider fee data (2024–2026), and are deliberately free of any single insurer or financing brand's framing.
Per-procedure unless noted; All-on-4 is per arch and full-mouth covers both arches. Source: Real Dental Costs — compiled from published payer and provider fee data (2024-2026).
Cost vs typical insurance coverage
The sticker price is only half the comparison. Plans group procedures into three tiers and pay a very different share of each, so a cheap procedure can cost you more out of pocket than an expensive one once the annual maximum is exhausted.
| Procedure | Typical U.S. range | Coverage tier | Plan typically pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam, cleaning & X-rays | $50 – $350 | Preventive | ~100% |
| Composite filling | $90 – $450 | Basic | ~70–80% |
| Tooth extraction | $75 – $800 | Basic | ~70–80% |
| Root canal | $500 – $1,500 | Basic / Major | ~50–80% |
| Crown | $500 – $2,000 | Major | ~50% |
| Dentures (full set) | $600 – $8,000 | Major | ~50% |
| Dental implant (single) | $3,000 – $6,000 | Usually excluded | 0% (related steps ~50%) |
Most plans cap total annual benefits at roughly $1,000–$2,000, so for major work the percentage matters less than the cap: once you hit the maximum, you pay the rest in full.
What drives the spread within each procedure
Every range above is wide for the same three reasons, which is why a written, itemized quote beats any headline number:
- Material and complexity — a metal crown sits at the low end, ceramic at the high end; a single-surface filling costs far less than a multi-surface one; a molar root canal costs more than an incisor.
- Provider type — specialists (endodontists, periodontists, prosthodontists, oral surgeons) charge more than general dentists, which often pays off on complex cases.
- Location — major metropolitan areas typically run 20–50% higher than suburban or rural practices for the identical procedure.
How to use this comparison
- Find your procedure in the chart and note its low–high range, not just the average.
- Check the coverage tier above to estimate what your plan actually pays.
- Open the per-procedure guide below to run its calculator and see the cost drivers and hidden add-ons (bone graft, sedation, lab fees) behind your own quote.
- Confirm with an itemized written estimate from your dentist before committing.
Stop paying full price at the dentist
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- No annual cap
- Use it the same day
- Pre-existing conditions OK
A dental savings plan is a membership (not insurance) that unlocks discounted rates at a nationwide network of dentists — for cleanings, crowns, dentures, implants and braces alike. If you're uninsured, have hit your annual maximum, or only go occasionally, it's usually the cheapest way to pay.
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Disclosure: this is an affiliate link. We may earn a commission if you buy a plan, at no extra cost to you. Real Dental Costs is independent and is not the plan provider.
Compare a specific procedure
Full Procedure Cost List
Every procedure in one sortable, filterable table — by state, cash or insured.
Dental Implants
$3,000-$6,000 single tooth to $36,000+ full mouth, with calculator.
Braces & Aligners
Metal, ceramic, lingual and clear aligner costs compared.
Dental Crowns
Metal vs PFM vs ceramic price by material.
Root Canal
Incisor to molar pricing and what's included.
Teeth Whitening
In-office, take-home and OTC cost compared.
Dentures
Partial, full and implant-supported price ranges.
Deep Cleaning (SRP)
Scaling and root planing cost per quadrant.
Dental Insurance
How coverage tiers and the annual maximum work.
All Dental Costs
The full library of procedure cost guides.
Frequently asked questions
How can I compare dental costs between two states?
How can I compare dental costs across procedures?
How much do common dental procedures cost in 2026?
How much does dental work cost without insurance?
What is the most expensive common dental procedure?
Why do dental prices vary so much between dentists?
Does dental insurance lower these costs, and by how much?
How can I estimate my dental cost before treatment?
How can I lower my dental costs?
Independent dental pricing research — every series carries a named source, and corrections are logged publicly. Not medical advice.