How can I fill a cavity without dental insurance?

Asked by: Delfina Stamm  |  Last update: June 5, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (48 votes)

Without dental insurance, you may pay the entire cavity filling cost out of pocket. Other payment options like a discount dental program or Health Savings Account (HSA) may help you cover costs for dental procedures.

How to get cavities filled without insurance?

Affordable Payment Options to Pay for Cavity Treatment
  1. Cash.
  2. Credit.
  3. Debit.
  4. CareCredit (a credit card just for healthcare)
  5. Medicaid.
  6. TRICARE.
  7. CHIP (formerly SCHIP)

What to do if you have a cavity but can't afford to get it filled?

Consider community health centers. These clinics may offer low-cost services, including dental fillings. Contact your local health department to find a community health center near you that may provide affordable dental care.

Is it possible to fill your own cavity?

Can You Fill Tooth Cavities at Home? Although we understand your dental anxiety, you cannot fill tooth cavities at home. Over-the-counter tooth filling kits temporarily repair lost or loose fillings but do not replace a dental visit. Attempting self-repair can lead to an infection that requires root canal treatment.

How long can a cavity go untreated?

How Long Can a Cavity Go Untreated? Generally speaking, small cavities can go without treatment for a few months or longer before becoming painful or causing other health problems. However, bigger cavities will require immediate attention from your dentist to prevent further damage.

How To Get Affordable Dental Care (without Dental Insurance)

34 related questions found

What does a stage 1 cavity look like?

Stage 1 early cavities usually do not cause pain and are discovered by a dentist or dental hygienist during a routine examination. They look like a small gray spot or a small area of ​​missing enamel. These cavities do not usually hurt because they have not reached the dentin layer where nerves rest.

How much does a filling cost?

Average Price for Dental Fillings Across the U.S.

On average, you can expect to pay between $50 and $150 for an amalgam filling, $90 to $250 for a composite filling, $250 to $4,500 for a gold filling, and $250 to $5,000 for a ceramic filling, depending on the size and location of the cavity.

What is the cheapest way to fix a cavity?

Metal (aka silver amalgam) fillings

Because metal amalgam fillings have a noticeably different color from the teeth, they are often the cheapest option. Amalgam fillings may cost from $50 to $200 for 1–2 teeth or $150 to $400 for 3 or more teeth.

How to fill a cavity hole at home?

So, can you fix cavities at home? Unfortunately, no. Only a dentist can repair a cavity, so you should make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible. However, you do have the power to halt the decay and prevent future damage.

How long does Dentemp last?

The dentemp is supposed to last up to 2 weeks and can be re-applied as needed.

What if I can't afford dental work?

Federally Qualified Health Centers

A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) can provide dental services for you or your family, regardless of your ability to pay. Services are offered on a sliding scale based on your income.

Can I scrape my own cavity?

Cavities, or tooth decay, are small holes in the teeth. As a result, there is no natural way to remove them at home. Only a dentist can fix a cavity by filling it in. That said, home care can prevent cavities.

How long until a tooth infection kills you?

An untreated infection takes weeks to months to progress and become lethal; it does not happen quickly. Like other infections, tooth infections can advance quickly and spread to other areas of the body in people with weakened immune systems.

What to do if you can't afford to fix cavities?

Alternatives When You Can't Afford Dental Work
  1. Dental Schools. All those talented dentists need to learn how to do their jobs somewhere, and dental schools are the place. ...
  2. Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. ...
  3. Clinical Trials. ...
  4. Community Health Centers. ...
  5. Dental Lifeline Network. ...
  6. Dental Savings Plan.

Do dentists do payment plans?

Dentists may have various payment options, including zero-interest plans, extended payment terms, or third-party financing arrangements. Understanding the available options will help you choose the best plan for your needs.

Can I fill a cavity myself?

Temporary at-home tooth filling kits can be used, but this doesn't mean that they should. Even in the cases where you do use them, they will not fix your problem, and you will still need to make an appointment with your dentist. The only “fix” you can get if you have a hole in your tooth is professional treatment.

Do it yourself dental fillings?

Let us explain why doing your own filling is not a good idea.
  1. At-home tooth filling kits don't remove the decay. You have a hole in your tooth for a reason — either because you have lost a filling or because it has been caused by decay. ...
  2. Your bite can change. ...
  3. DIY fillings fall out. ...
  4. Temporary fillings don't colour match.

How to reverse a cavity at home?

Change Up Your Diet

Evidence supports that a simple diet switch can actually reverse the tooth decay process. Start by consuming foods that are rich in calcium (greens and dairy) because they will help strengthen your teeth, giving the enamel a head-start.

How can I fix my teeth if I don't have money?

Free Dental Clinics
  1. Nonprofit clinics. Some cities have dental clinics that specifically serve people with low incomes, no insurance, or who otherwise can't afford care.
  2. Donated services. Some state or national charities use donated labor and materials to give free care. ...
  3. Private dentists.

How much should a cavity filling cost?

While prices can be as low as $150 to over $1200, the average price of a dental filling will generally fall between $200 and $600 without dental insurance.

How to pull a rotten tooth at home?

How to remove a tooth at home
  1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  2. Use a clean pair of pliers or tweezers to grip the tooth firmly at the base.
  3. Gently and slowly rock the tooth back and forth until it begins to loosen.
  4. Once the tooth is loose enough, you can use the pliers or tweezers to pull it out gently.

Can I just get a filling?

Dentists create and place direct fillings in your mouth without the need for a dental laboratory or temporary restoration. A direct filling only requires one office visit. Common materials for direct fillings are: Amalgam (silver in color; contains mercury mixed with silver, tin, zinc and copper).

Why is tooth filling so expensive?

Materials and Technology. The composite materials used in white fillings are more expensive than the metals used in silver amalgam fillings. Additionally, the specialised tools and technology needed to place white fillings, such as the curing UV light, contribute to the higher cost.