Restorative Dentistry Cost in 2026

What will insurance pay on your restorative work?

Enter your procedure and coverage tier to estimate your out-of-pocket cost based on CareCredit 2026 national averages.

What does restorative dentistry cost? (national averages by procedure)

No single national hub page combines all restorative procedure categories with their CareCredit 2026 ASQ360 national average data in one view — this table fills that gap.

What counts as restorative dentistry?

Restorative dentistry restores the function, structure and health of damaged or missing teeth. It is distinct from preventive care (cleanings, X-rays, sealants) and cosmetic dentistry (whitening, veneers for appearance only). The main categories:

• Fillings — repair cavities by replacing decayed tooth material with composite resin, amalgam or ceramic.
• Inlays and onlays — indirect restorations (made in a lab) that fit between or over cusps; larger than a filling but less tooth removal than a crown.
• Crowns — a full cap over a damaged tooth when less than half of the original structure remains.
• Root canals — remove infected pulp from inside a tooth; most teeth need a crown afterward.
• Bridges — fixed restorations that replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring to adjacent teeth or implants.
• Implants — titanium posts placed in the jawbone to support a crown, bridge or denture.
• Dentures — removable or implant-supported replacements for multiple or all missing teeth.

Dental fillings cost — $139 to $810 depending on material

A cavity that has not reached the nerve is typically filled: $139 avg for silver amalgam, $226 avg for composite resin (tooth-colored) and $810 avg for a CEREC same-day ceramic restoration (CareCredit ASQ360, 2026).

Insurance coverage: Fillings are typically classified as basic restorative care, covered at roughly 80% after the deductible on most PPO plans. A composite filling with 80% coverage costs approximately $45 out-of-pocket on the average plan.

For a full cost guide, see tooth filling cost.

Dental crown cost — $697 to $1,399 on average

A crown is needed when a tooth is too damaged for a filling — cracked, broken, after a root canal, or heavily worn. Average costs: temporary resin crown $697, metallic (PFM or gold) crown $1,211, porcelain crown $1,399 (CareCredit ASQ360, 2026).

Insurance coverage: Crowns are major restorative work covered at approximately 50% after the deductible. On a porcelain crown at $1,399 with 50% major coverage: estimated OOP of roughly $700 after deductible, subject to your annual maximum.

For full materials breakdown and before-and-after crown cost, see dental crown cost.

Inlays and onlays — between a filling and a crown ($976 avg)

An inlay fits within the cusps of a tooth; an onlay extends over one or more cusps. Both are lab-fabricated and offer better longevity than direct composite fillings for moderate-to-large cavities where a full crown is not yet warranted. Average cost: $976 (CareCredit ASQ360, 2026).

Insurance coverage: Usually classified as major restorative (50% coverage), though some plans treat them as basic. See inlay and onlay cost for a materials and longevity comparison.

Root canal cost — $984 to $1,337 depending on tooth location

Root canals remove infected pulp to save a tooth rather than extract it. Front/bicuspid teeth average $984 and molars average $1,337 for the procedure alone (CareCredit ASQ360, 2026). Most teeth need a crown afterward, making the molar all-in cost roughly $2,383 avg ($1,337 root canal + $1,046 crown or more).

Insurance coverage: Most plans cover root canals as basic or major care at 50%-80%, making them one of the most insurance-accessible procedures on this list.

See the full root canal cost guide.

Dental bridge cost — $1,569 to $5,197 by type

A bridge spans a gap left by a missing tooth, anchored to adjacent teeth or implants. A Maryland (resin-bonded) bridge averages $1,569 for a simpler, less-invasive option. A traditional 3-unit fixed bridge averages $5,197 — it requires shaving down the two adjacent healthy teeth, which is why many patients weigh it against the implant option.

Insurance coverage: Bridges are major restorative work covered at approximately 50% after deductible, subject to annual maximums.

Dental implant cost in restorative context — $4,344 avg standard endosteal

A dental implant replaces the tooth root rather than crowning an adjacent tooth, so no healthy teeth are altered. The standard endosteal implant averages $4,344 and is the only restorative option that preserves jawbone over time (CareCredit ASQ360, 2026).

For the full implant cost breakdown, see dental implants cost.

Denture cost — $1,968 to $6,514 (traditional to premium)

Traditional complete dentures (upper + lower) average $1,968; partial metal-framework dentures average $2,229; premium dentures reach $6,514 (CareCredit ASQ360, 2026). Dentures are the lowest-cost option for full-arch replacement but require relining every 3-5 years and replacement every 5-10 years.

See denture cost for a full comparison of denture types.

Does insurance cover restorative dentistry?

The coverage tier for each procedure type determines your out-of-pocket share. Most PPO plans use this structure:

Annual maximum impact: Most individual plans cap coverage at $1,000-$2,000/yr. A porcelain crown at $1,399 could use most of a $1,000 maximum, leaving nothing for other major work that year. Splitting major treatment across two calendar years lets you use two annual maximums.

Root canal + crown vs implant: the 15-year cost decision

When a tooth is damaged, the core decision is often: save it with a root canal and crown, or extract and replace with an implant?

The root canal path is less expensive at 15 years if the tooth remains healthy. The implant becomes cost-competitive or cheaper beyond 15-20 years and eliminates the bone-loss risks of leaving a gap. If the tooth is not salvageable — too little structure remaining, vertical root fracture, severe bone loss around the root — the implant is the only permanent fixed option.

(Source: CareCredit ASQ360 national averages, 2026; Real Dental Costs analysis)

How to save on restorative dental work

• Dental school clinics — supervised student care at 30-60% below private-practice rates; quality is high for standard restorative procedures.
• HSA/FSA — restorative procedures are IRS-eligible; pre-tax dollars lower the real cost by your marginal tax rate.
• In-network care — PPO in-network fees are negotiated 20-40% below full fees; your 50% or 80% share applies to the lower number.
• Itemised quotes — request a line-by-line breakdown; exam, X-ray and anesthesia are sometimes bundled into procedure fees and can be separated.
• Two calendar years — if you need a crown and a root canal, scheduling across two benefit years doubles your annual maximum.

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Independent pricing and market research, not medical advice. Treatment choice depends on your clinical situation — consult your dentist. Prices compiled June 2026.

Frequently asked questions