is this outrageous or normal? filling charges - Dental Health Message Board

gingerbread55 · 08-16-2006, 09:06 PM

Hi, I was wondering if anyone can tell me the average normal charge for a filling...
I about fainted tonight when my husband came home with a 335.20 receipt paid for 4 fillings??
we have insurance that pays 80% so therefore I conclude that one filling was 419.00 ?? is this crazy or what please reply

buddee · 08-17-2006, 12:37 AM

No, $419 for a filling is outrageous. BUT, it depends on what kind of "fillings". If they were cosmetic proceedures like 4 anterior composite veneers, then it isn't unheard of. However, if they are normal fillings, the price for an amalgam filling would be closer to $100 total, and for a composite (white) filling, more like $150 give or take. It sounds to me like they charged you instead of the insurance. Maybe their policy is to bill the patient in full and have the paitent send in the claim to the insurance company. Some dentists do that.

If this isn't the case, and the fillings were normal fillings, $419 is way too much. But also try and figure out if you are being charged for other things, besides the fillings, that aren't covered by your insurance. What was everything that was done? Was it JUST four fillings? Was it exams? X-rays? Rx. toothpaste? Mouth rinses? Bleaching kits?

Just trying to help.

plasva · 08-17-2006, 11:43 PM

In my experience, dentists (and doctors) will bill you the full amount, then bill the insurance company the full amount, hoping you will both pay. I think this is a scam. Get the bill explained to you fully, in detail, including the exact types of fillings and what every amount on the bill covers. Don't pay a penny until you're satisfied you're only paying what you really owe and that the charge is a fair amount.

tia_ · 08-21-2006, 01:29 PM

Hi,
I'm not certain where you live, but I hate to tell you, that doesn't sound outrageous.

Each tooth has 5 surfaces. Mesial, Distal, Incisal/Occlusal, Buccal/Facial and Lingual

If the person had 4 fillings I'm assuming they are significant cavities.

Here's how to see it:

Each surface of the tooth (no matter how small a part of it) is given a charge of probably $80-200 depending on where you are in the country.

So say each surface was $100. And you had a tooth with 5 surfaces affected. Your filling would be $500.
That's for an amalgam filling.(silver)

A white or composite filling would be more. And insurance doesn't cover it.

If the tooth needed a post or post and core to hold the filling in (like a metal stick to hold the filling on) that costs more. (Sometimes a Root Canal is needed, but usually this leads to a crown.) And sometimes general dentists will do a crown lengthening to hold the filling as well.

All these are added costs.

If you had that many fillings at once be certain you update your xrays every year to six months for bite wings. Also make certain you have a Full mouth series of 18 xrays taken every 3 years (not just a panorex). And be certain you have had periodontal probings every two years to ensure you are also developing periodontal disease.

Best to you. I think you probably got a good deal. Check it out more before yelling too much. You can call you insurance company for advice.