Why do fillings cost so much?

How much would an entire mouth full of crowns and fillings cost?

• And maybe a gum graft or two. I have really bad receding gums, and I think lots of cavities. I have all adult teeth and a couple years ago I was dumb and lazy and never brushed them properly, and now I'm paying for it... My teeth hurt and I think I have gingivitis. My mom works at a dental office so I may get a discount. How much should this cost? My dentist is located in Charlotte, NC.

• Answer:

  Sorry to hear about your situation. I would estimate that this is going to cost several thousand dollars. A dental crown cost something like $800 each, and amalgam fillings cost something like $120 each. So if you need 3 crowns and 3 fillings, you are looking at close to $3,000 for that kind of work. If you also need root canals and additional dental work to take care of the gum issues, that's going to more money. Hopefully your mom can get you a nice discount. Unfortunately, dental bills are expensive. It is not uncommon for folks to end up with large bills. The best thing you can do right now is to fix the current situation, and then take preventive care for the future. Good luck.