verified_userIndependent benchmark • Open methodology • Permanent DOI

The RDC Fair Price Benchmark

Most dental price pages tell you what a procedure does cost. The RDC Fair Price Benchmark answers the question patients actually ask when a quote lands on the table: what should it cost in my state — and is this quote fair?

Check your quote

Dental crown

What a porcelain crown should cost in your state, with a quote checker against measured 2026 averages.

Dental implant

What a complete single implant should cost in your state, benchmarked on our editorial estimate (edition 2026.1, not collected prices).

How the benchmark works

Each benchmark page gives you three things: the measured state average for the procedure, the typical price band around it, and an interactive checker that tells you whether a written quote is below, inside or above the fair range for your state.

The figures are not estimates we typed in: crown averages come from the ASQ360°/CareCredit Average Procedural Cost Study (2023–2024), and implant averages come from our editorial estimate (edition 2026.1, not collected prices) (DOI 10.5281/zenodo.20531728), independently validated against ASQ360°. The full construction is documented on our methodology page, and the underlying data is free to download and cite.

A price above the benchmark band is not automatically a rip-off — complex cases legitimately cost more. The benchmark exists so that the conversation about why can happen with a neutral, verifiable reference on the table. This is independent pricing research, not medical or insurance advice.

For a treatment plan the two benchmarks above do not cover, you can send us the itemized quote for a line-by-line check against the same measured data.

Frequently asked questions

What is the RDC Fair Price Benchmark?

It is a named, independent reference figure for what a dental procedure should cost in each U.S. state, built from state reference figures (our implant editorial estimate, edition 2026.1, not collected prices, and the measured ASQ360/CareCredit procedural cost study for crowns). The methodology is public and the underlying data carries a permanent DOI, so anyone can verify the figures.

Why does it only cover crowns and implants so far?

The crown benchmark rests on a measured state series; the implant benchmark rests on our editorial estimate (edition 2026.1, not collected prices; state ranking validated against ASQ360, levels not verified). We would rather publish a narrow benchmark built on real data than a wide one padded with estimates. More procedures will be added only when the underlying data supports them.

Is the benchmark medical or insurance advice?

No. It is independent pricing and market research. It tells you how a quote compares to measured market prices in your state — it says nothing about which treatment is right for you, and a price above the range can be clinically justified. Discuss treatment decisions with your dentist.

Researched & verified by the Real Dental Costs Data & Research Team

Independent dental pricing research — every series carries a named source, and corrections are logged publicly. Not medical advice.

Reviewed: July 30, 2026How we verify our data

Data Methodology & Sources

The Real Dental Costs Data & Research Team publishes the source of every series. Single-implant prices are our editorial estimate (edition 2026.1, not collected prices), published openly (DOI 10.5281/zenodo.20531728). Braces, veneer, crown and denture prices are from the Average Procedural Cost Study conducted by ASQ360° Market Research for Synchrony's CareCredit. Remaining procedures are compiled from published payer and provider fee data (2024–2026) and are national estimates that vary by provider and location. Corrections are logged publicly.

Pricing & Research Disclaimer: Real Dental Costs publishes independent dental pricing and market-research data for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation. Costs vary by provider and location — always consult a licensed dentist for clinical guidance and an exact quote.