[2026 Tooth Filling Prices] Breakdown of Pricing Standards

Toothaches can be agonizing, but the uncertainty of “costs” before stepping into a dental clinic is often just as distressing. In Hong Kong, tooth filling costs vary significantly, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

This article breaks down the pricing structure of tooth fillings in Hong Kong, exploring the impact of cavity surfaces, materials, and equipment on the total fee. By referencing dental hospital benchmarks, we offer an objective comparison of resin versus ceramic restorations to help you identify hidden technical costs and market traps.

💡 Tooth Filling Prices: 30-Second Summary

If you are considering a tooth filling, here is the core information for the 2026 Hong Kong market:

Pricing Benchmark: Private dentists generally refer to official teaching hospital fees, ranging from approximately HK$900 – $3,000.
Why the Price Difference? Fees are not calculated per “tooth” but by the “Number of Surfaces”. Cavities deeper between teeth (double/multiple surfaces) require higher technical skill and costs.
Material Selection: Composite Resin is best for small to medium cavities; it is aesthetic, minimally invasive, and offers the best value. Ceramic Inlays/Onlays are suitable for large areas, lasting over 10 years, making them the top choice for long-term restoration.
Hidden Costs: High-quality fillings rely on Rubber Dam isolation and high-magnification diagnostics, which significantly reduce the risk of “secondary decay” and subsequent root canals.
Professional Advice: Filling a tooth is a “race against time”. Early repair (small holes) costs around a thousand dollars, while delayed treatment (pulpitis) can see costs soar tenfold.

The Key to Pricing: How Many “Surfaces” Are Decayed?

This is the most common misunderstanding among the public. Dentists do not simply charge per “tooth”; pricing is based on the extent of decay (Number of Surfaces).

Anatomically, a tooth has five surfaces: occlusal (biting surface), mesial (towards the front), distal (towards the back), buccal (cheek side), and lingual (tongue side).

The following content refers to the private patient fee schedule of The Prince Philip Dental Hospital as a benchmark (generally HK$900 – $3,000).

Tooth Filling Difficulty Levels and Fee Reference

Filling Category	Description of Decay	Difficulty	Reference Fee (HKD)
Simple (One Surface)	Decay is limited to the grooves on the biting surface and does not extend between teeth.	Lower	$900 – $1,200
Class II (Two Surfaces/Interproximal)	Decay occurs in the gap between two teeth, requiring the reconstruction of the tooth’s curve and contact point.	High (Requires Matrix Band)	$1,500 – $2,000
Complex (Multiple Surfaces)	Decay involves more than 3 surfaces or has weakened the cusp.	Extremely High (Requires layered reconstruction)	$2,500 – $3,000

Why is it more expensive as the number of surfaces increases?

Particularly for “Double Surface” fillings, the dentist must use a special Matrix Band to reconstruct the tooth’s original curvature. If handled poorly, food will easily get trapped between teeth, leading to gum inflammation or “secondary decay”.

Filling Materials: Resin vs. Ceramic Inlays (What accounts for the price difference?)

Aside from the size of the cavity, the material used is a primary factor in determining the cost of a filling.

Composite Resin

Technique: The dentist directly fills the cavity with soft resin and cures it using a blue light.
Advantages: The color matches natural teeth perfectly, and it requires the removal of only a minimal amount of tooth structure (minimally invasive).
Suitability: Ideal for small to medium cavities and aesthetic restorations of front teeth.
Price Range: Moderate ($900 – $3,000).

Ceramic Inlay / Onlay

When the decay is too extensive (e.g., exceeding 50% of the tooth surface), resin may lack the strength to provide support and can easily fracture. In such cases, a dentist will recommend upgrading to an Inlay or Onlay.

Why is it so expensive? It is not “filled” directly. Instead, a custom precision ceramic piece is fabricated in a dental laboratory via high-precision 3D scanning or impression-taking. The dentist then bonds it into the tooth cavity like a puzzle piece. This involves significant laboratory costs and requires two separate appointments.
Advantages: Hardness comparable to natural enamel, resistant to staining, and can last 10-15 years or more.
Price Range: High ($4,500 and up).

*Smith & Jain Professional Perspective: While Inlays/Onlays are more expensive upfront for large cavities in back teeth, their durability prevents the tooth wear caused by repeated fillings, making them more cost-effective in the long run.

Dental Expertise and Hidden Costs

When “price shopping,” patients often overlook the invisible technical costs. Why do some clinics charge a few hundred dollars while others charge over a thousand? The difference often lies in the critical steps that can “extend the life of a filling by 3-5 years”:

Strict Isolation: The Importance of Rubber Dams

The mouth is a humid environment, but modern composite resins are “hydrophobic”.

Technical Difference: If even a single drop of saliva or moisture from your breath touches the tooth during the bonding process, the bond strength will drop by over 40%.
Our Commitment: Smith & Jain insists on using a Rubber Dam to completely isolate the affected tooth from the rest of the oral cavity. Although this increases material costs and preparation time, it ensures a chemical bond between the resin and the tooth, preventing the filling from falling out prematurely.

Biomimicry and Matrix Technology

For the most challenging “interproximal cavities (Class II),” the focus of the restoration is on reconstructing perfect contact points.

Low-Cost Approach: Using traditional single metal rings often results in loose gaps between teeth after the filling, leading to chronic food impaction and severe periodontal inflammation.
High-Quality Approach: We utilize an advanced Sectional Matrix System and specialized wedges to precisely simulate the natural curvature of the tooth. This ensures that you will hear a crisp “click” when using dental floss, indicating a tight contact point where food will not easily get trapped.

High-Magnification Diagnostics and Minimally Invasive Decay Removal

The Limits of the Naked Eye: Traditional fillings rely solely on the naked eye; to ensure cleanliness, dentists often tend to grind away more tooth structure.
Minimally Invasive Preservation: Using 2.5x – 4x magnifying loupes, we can clearly distinguish between “infected softened dentin” and “healthy dentin”. This allows us to perform minimally invasive treatment, removing only the bacteria while preserving as much of the natural healthy tooth structure as possible.

Fine Polishing and Occlusal Adjustment

A filling is not finished just because it has been “filled”.

Avoiding Overhangs: If the edges of the filling are not smooth, the resulting “overhang” becomes a breeding ground for dental plaque. We perform a multi-stage nano-polishing process to make the surface of the filling as smooth as a mirror, reducing bacterial attachment.
Occlusal Balance: Even an occlusal point that is 0.1mm too high can lead to long-term tooth sensitivity or even fractures. We use articulating paper of various thicknesses to repeatedly test and ensure that your biting force is evenly distributed.

Book Your Oral Health Check-up Now!

“A stitch in time saves nine”: If you notice tooth sensitivity, discoloration, or an old filling falling out, please address it as soon as possible to avoid missing the golden window for preserving your natural teeth.

Smith & Jain Dentists | Professional Dental Team in Central: Located in the heart of Central, we provide a transparent, professional, and comfortable dental experience.

Common “Low-Price” Traps: Beware of False Economy

Sometimes you may see advertisements for extremely low-priced fillings (e.g., a few hundred dollars all-inclusive). Patients should be aware of the potential hidden costs behind these prices:

Material Quality and Shrinkage Rate

Cheap resins often have a higher polymerization shrinkage rate. This means the resin contracts after hardening, pulling at the tooth edges and leading to long-term post-operative pain and sensitivity. It can even create micro-cracks that allow bacteria to re-invade. We select low-shrinkage resins from international leading brands (such as 3M, GC, Tokuyama), which, despite higher costs, significantly reduce post-operative sensitivity.

The Risk of “Bulk Filling”

To save time (finishing in 5–10 minutes), some low-cost services fill the entire cavity with resin at once. The correct procedure should be layered filling, where each layer does not exceed 2mm and is light-cured individually. This offsets shrinkage stress and ensures the bottom of the filling is fully hardened.

Hidden Surcharges

The devil is in the details of the bill. A “low price” might only refer to the “opening fee” or a single-surface filling. Once consultation fees, digital X-rays, infection control fees (PPE), and local anesthesia are added, the total cost is often not low at all—and may even be higher than clinics with transparent upfront pricing.

Conclusion: Choose “Value” Over Just “Price”

In the dental world, “procrastination” is the most expensive treatment fee.

Timely Repair: A shallow cavity costs only about a thousand-plus dollars if repaired promptly.
The Price of Delay: Choosing a low-quality filling due to price concerns can lead to “secondary decay” and nerve infection. You will then face root canal treatment and crowns, where costs can easily exceed ten thousand dollars, or you may even risk tooth loss.

Smith & Jain Dentists is located in the heart of Central, and we refuse to compromise on medical quality. We refer to the official Prince Philip Dental Hospital fee benchmarks and insist on using rubber dam isolation, high-magnification diagnostics, and top-tier 3M/Ceramic materials. This is not just for aesthetics, but to ensure this filling accompanies you for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Health Care Vouchers for tooth fillings?

Yes. Private dental clinics generally accept Elderly Health Care Vouchers. It is recommended to specify this when making your appointment.

Does the price of a tooth filling include a root canal?

No. A filling is only for cavities that have not yet reached the nerve. If bacteria have already penetrated the dental pulp, a Root Canal Treatment is required, and the cost will be calculated separately.

Disclaimer

All information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and is intended to help readers gain general knowledge about dental health. The content on this website should not be considered a substitute for professional dental diagnosis, advice, or treatment. If you have any dental concerns, please consult a licensed dentist for appropriate medical advice and treatment.

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