Why did two dental offices quote me different prices for the same treatment?

Fees are set by each practice. Differences can come from local rent and wages, whether the provider is a general dentist or a specialist, the materials and lab used, whether imaging or sedation is bundled in, and whether the office is in your insurance network. Ask each office for an itemized estimate with procedure codes so you can compare like with like.

Does this page tell me what my treatment will cost?

No. We do not publish dental prices. For a cost range based on claims data for your ZIP code, use the FAIR Health Consumer dental estimator, and ask the practice for a written, itemized treatment estimate.

What is a pre-treatment estimate?

Many dental plans let the office send the planned treatment to the insurer before work starts, so the plan can say what it expects to cover. It is an estimate, not a guarantee; final payment depends on your eligibility and remaining benefits when the claim is processed.

Is the state cost-of-living number a dental price index?

No. It is the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity for all items, which measures overall price levels (goods, rents and other services). It only hints at how general local costs compare with the national average; dental fees can differ from it.

Where can I look for lower-cost care?

Options include dental school and dental hygiene school clinics, federally funded health centers that charge on a sliding scale based on income, and Medicaid or CHIP if you qualify. See our low-cost dental care hub for more.

What affects the cost of dental care?

1 Type of procedure

Dental work is grouped into categories, often described with the American Dental Association’s CDT procedure codes: diagnostic and preventive care (exams, cleanings, X-rays), basic restorative work (fillings, simple extractions) and major work (crowns, bridges, dentures, implants). Plans and offices usually price these groups very differently, and a single visit can include several codes.

2 Materials

The same type of treatment can use different materials. A crown, for example, may be all-ceramic or porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, zirconia, or a metal alloy such as gold. Materials differ in appearance, durability and price, and some plans pay only for a lower-cost alternative.

3 Lab fees

Crowns, bridges, dentures, night guards and some veneers are made by a dental laboratory or with in-office milling. The lab’s charge is usually built into the fee you see. Ask whether the quote includes the lab work and any remakes.

4 General dentist or specialist

Endodontists (root canals), oral surgeons, periodontists, prosthodontists and orthodontists have extra training and equipment. Their fees are often higher than a general dentist’s for comparable work, though complex cases may be better suited to a specialist.

5 Where you live

Rent, wages and other business costs vary by region and by neighborhood, and dental fees tend to follow local costs. The state table below shows general cost-of-living differences, not dental prices.

6 Insurance network status

In-network dentists have agreed to the plan’s fee schedule. Out of network, the plan may pay based on its own allowed amount and the office can bill you the difference (balance billing).

7 Deductible, annual maximum and coinsurance

Your share depends on how much of your deductible you have met, how much of the yearly maximum is left, the coinsurance percentage for that category, and any waiting period. Our insurance glossary explains each term.

8 Imaging and diagnostics

X-rays, 3D cone-beam scans, photos and tests may be billed separately from the treatment itself.

9 Sedation and anesthesia

Local anesthetic is usually included. Nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation or general anesthesia are often separate charges and may not be covered.

10 Complexity of your case

Curved or extra canals, a tooth that has to be removed surgically, bone grafts, gum disease or an infection can all add steps and cost.

11 Number of visits

Some treatments take several appointments (for example, a temporary then a permanent crown, or staged implant work). Ask whether follow-up visits and adjustments are included.

12 Where you get care

Dental school clinics, dental hygiene school clinics and federally funded health centers with sliding-scale fees can lower costs. Medicaid and CHIP dental benefits depend on your state and eligibility.

General cost of living by state

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities (RPPs), which compare overall price levels in each state with the national average (U.S. = 100). The figures below are the 2024 “all items” values, which cover goods, housing rents and other services. They are not dental prices, and dental fees in your area may not follow them.

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Frequently asked questions

Sources

Sources checked 2026-10-29. This page is general information, not financial, insurance or dental advice. Your dentist and your plan are the final word on your costs.

State	RPP (U.S.=100)
Alabama	88.8
Alaska	102.4
Arizona	100.7
Arkansas	86.9
California	110.7
Colorado	103.1
Connecticut	103.6
Delaware	99.8
District of Columbia	109.9
Florida	103.4
Georgia	96.3
Hawaii	110.0
Idaho	95.5
Illinois	100.0
Indiana	93.3
Iowa	87.8
Kansas	90.1
Kentucky	90.2
Louisiana	88.2
Maine	97.1
Maryland	105.0
Massachusetts	105.8
Michigan	96.2
Minnesota	98.6
Mississippi	87.0
Missouri	90.8
Montana	94.6
Nebraska	90.1
Nevada	100.0
New Hampshire	104.2
New Jersey	108.8
New Mexico	92.2
New York	107.9
North Carolina	94.3
North Dakota	89.0
Ohio	92.8
Oklahoma	87.8
Oregon	103.4
Pennsylvania	97.6
Rhode Island	102.3
South Carolina	93.7
South Dakota	88.6
Tennessee	91.9
Texas	97.1
Utah	98.9
Vermont	98.0
Virginia	101.1
Washington	107.0
West Virginia	89.5
Wisconsin	94.1
Wyoming	92.7