Restorative dentistry plays a vital role in helping patients regain their oral health, comfort, and confidence. Whether you’re dealing with a cracked tooth, cavity, or missing teeth, restorative treatments are designed to rebuild and protect your smile.
At Dunedin Dental Associates, we provide a full range of restorative options—from simple fillings to advanced dental implants—customized to meet your needs. The cost of restorative dental care can vary based on the procedure, materials used, and complexity of your case.
In general, restorative treatment costs in Dunedin and the greater Tampa Bay area range from a few hundred dollars for minor repairs to several thousand for more involved procedures like implants or full-arch restorations.
In this guide, we break down the average prices and treatment types so you know exactly what to expect before your appointment.
Benefits of Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry does more than just fix damaged teeth—it protects your long-term oral health, improves your daily comfort, and helps you regain confidence in your smile. Here’s how:
1. Restores Chewing and Speaking Function
Damaged or missing teeth can make it difficult to chew food properly or speak clearly. Restorative treatments like crowns, bridges, or implants help rebuild your bite, allowing you to enjoy a wider variety of foods and speak without hesitation.
- You can chew more effectively and avoid overworking one side of your mouth.
- Treatments like dentures or implants help maintain proper jaw alignment, which supports clearer speech.
2. Prevents Further Deterioration
Restorative procedures help stop minor dental issues from becoming major ones. Filling a cavity early, for example, prevents decay from spreading deeper into the tooth and requiring a root canal or extraction.
- Crowns protect weakened teeth from cracking or further wear.
- Replacing missing teeth helps prevent shifting of neighboring teeth and bite misalignment.
- Maintaining healthy tooth structure preserves jawbone strength and gum health.
3. Enhances Smile Aesthetics
Whether it’s a chipped front tooth or a missing molar, visible damage can impact your confidence. Restorative dentistry can rebuild your natural-looking smile using materials that match your teeth.
- Tooth-colored fillings and crowns blend with your existing smile.
- Bridges, dentures, and implants fill visible gaps for a complete, youthful look.
- Modern materials mimic the appearance of natural enamel, improving overall facial aesthetics.
4. Uses Durable, Long-Lasting Materials
Today’s restorative dental materials are designed to last. With proper care, many restorations can remain strong and functional for 10–20 years or more.
- Porcelain, zirconia, and high-grade composite resins are both durable and biocompatible.
- Implant-supported restorations, if maintained well, can last a lifetime.
- Choosing high-quality materials means fewer replacements or complications in the future.
Dental Restoration Types & Costs
Restorative dentistry includes a variety of treatment options. Restorative treatments for a minor oral health problem such as a small cavity are less expensive than restorative treatments to treat a cracked tooth or to replace a missing tooth.
Dental Filling
Dental fillings are among the least expensive restorative dental treatments. Dental fillings restore teeth with decay (cavities) to good health. The cost of a dental filling will be determined by the number of surfaces on the tooth that need to be treated. Fillings in greater Dunedin Bay generally cost between $250-$450.
What it treats: Small cavities, early-stage decay, and minor chips.
Materials used:
- Composite resin (tooth-colored): Common for visible teeth
- Amalgam (silver): Durable, mostly used in back teeth
- Glass ionomer: Releases fluoride; often used for baby teeth or root cavities
Average cost of Dental filling in Dunedin/Tampa Bay:
- $250–$450 per filling
- Cost depends on the size of the cavity and the number of surfaces treated
Dental Crown
Dental crowns protect severely damaged or decayed teeth. Dental crowns are necessary when decay is too extensive to be treated with a filling. Dental crowns are also used to protect cracked, fractured, severely chipped, or worn-down teeth. The cost of a dental crown will depend upon the type of material used to make the crown. In Dunedin and throughout Tampa Bay, a dental crown typically costs between $1600-$2100.
What it treats:
Severely decayed, broken, cracked, or root canal-treated teeth.
Types of crowns:
- Porcelain (all-ceramic): Best aesthetics; ideal for front teeth
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM): Strong and cost-effective for back teeth
- Zirconia: Extremely strong, metal-free
- Gold alloy: Durable but not esthetically preferred
Average cost in Dunedin/Tampa Bay:
- $1,600–$2,100 per crown
- Depends on crown type and tooth location
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges fill gaps in the smile due to missing teeth. There are a variety of types of dental bridges. Bridges may be used to replace a single missing tooth or several missing teeth in a row. The cost of a dental bridge will reflect the type of bridge and the number of teeth being replaced. Most often, a dental bridge in Dunedin Bay will cost between $4800-$6000+.
What it treats:
Replaces one or more adjacent missing teeth using surrounding teeth as support.
Types of bridges:
- Traditional bridge: Anchored to adjacent crowns
- Cantilever bridge: Anchored on one side only
- Maryland bridge: Uses metal or porcelain wings
- Implant-supported bridge: Anchored to dental implants
Average cost:
- $4,800–$6,000+
- Depends on materials used and the number of teeth being replaced
Dental Implants
Dental implants are deemed the gold standard for replacing missing teeth. Dental implants are the most expensive dental restoration as they require surgery. Single dental implants in Dunedin typically cost between $2300-$6000
What it treats:
Permanent solution for missing teeth. Replaces both the root and crown.
Implant includes:
- Implant post (surgical titanium root)
- Abutment (connector)
- Crown (visible tooth)
Additional procedures (if needed):
- Bone grafting
- Sinus lift
Average cost per implant in Dunedin:
- $2,300–$6,000
- Full arch (All-on-4 or All-on-6): $15,000–$30,000+
Dentures
There are a variety of types of dentures, including partial, full, fixed, and removable dentures. The specific type of denture you select will impact the cost. Dentures may range in price from $1800 for a single, removable denture to more than $25,000 for full-arch, implant-supported dentures.
What it treats:
Multiple missing teeth or full-arch tooth loss.
Types of dentures and average pricing:
Type | Description | Avg. Cost (Dunedin) |
---|---|---|
Complete Dentures | Replace all teeth in the upper or lower arch | $1,800–$3,500 per arch |
Partial Dentures | Replace some missing teeth; clipped to existing ones | $1,500–$3,000 |
Immediate Dentures | Placed same day as extractions; later replaced by permanent set | $2,000–$4,000 |
Overdentures | Supported by 2–4 implants for better fit | $5,000–$12,000+ |
Implant-Supported Dentures (Full Arch) | Most secure; supported by 4–6 implants | $15,000–$25,000+ |
Snap-In Dentures | Removable, snaps onto implant abutments | $8,000–$18,000 |
Material affects price:
- Acrylic (standard)
- Porcelain teeth (aesthetic, more durable)
- Metal/acrylic combinations (for partials)
Payment Options for Restorative Dentistry
Restoring your teeth to good health can be costly. While dental insurance frequently offers some coverage for fillings, crowns, bridges, and dentures, insurance will rarely pay for dental implants. That’s why top-reviewed dentists typically offer discounts for uninsured patients and accept payment via credit card, or third-party financing companies, such as CareCredit.
We know dental care can be expensive. Here are practical ways to manage the costs:
- ✔ Dental Insurance: Usually covers fillings, crowns, bridges, and dentures; rarely implants
- ✔ Financing Plans: Including CareCredit, in-house payment plans, or credit card options
- ✔ Uninsured Discounts: Ask us for special reduced rates
- ✔ Transparent Estimates: We help you plan treatment over time and spread out costs
Factors That Affect the Cost of Restorative Dentistry
The cost of restorative dental treatments can vary widely depending on several key factors. Understanding what influences pricing helps you make informed decisions and plan your dental care more effectively.
1. Type of Restoration
The nature of the treatment plays a major role in cost:
- Simple restorations like dental fillings are more affordable because they require less time and material.
- Advanced procedures like dental implants or full-mouth reconstruction involve multiple steps, surgery, and lab work, making them significantly more expensive.
For example, a single filling may cost $250, while a single implant with a crown can range from $2,300–$6,000.
2. Material Quality
Different materials come with different price points—and different benefits:
- Porcelain or zirconia crowns look more natural and last longer but are more expensive.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns are cost-effective and durable but may not offer the same aesthetic result.
- Acrylic dentures cost less than implant-supported or metal-based alternatives.
At DDA Dental, we help you weigh the pros and cons of each material based on your budget and long-term needs.
3. Complexity of the Case
Some treatments are more involved and require additional procedures:
- Bone grafting, sinus lifts, or tooth extractions before implant placement increase the overall cost.
- Full-arch restoration or cases involving multiple missing teeth take more time and planning.
- Emergency restorations may involve extra cost due to urgency or complexity.
The more involved the case, the more time and resources are needed to achieve the best outcome.
4. Dentist’s Experience & Technology
An experienced provider using advanced technology may charge more—but often delivers better long-term outcomes:
- Digital impressions, 3D scans, and guided implant placement improve precision and reduce errors.
- A dentist with years of experience in complex restorative care may offer solutions that save money and discomfort over time.
DDA Dental uses modern diagnostic tools and proven clinical protocols to ensure your treatment is effective and predictable.
5. Geographic Location
Dental treatment costs can vary by region. In Dunedin and the broader Tampa Bay area, prices tend to be competitive but slightly lower than in major metropolitan areas.
- Local lab fees, overhead costs, and insurance rates affect overall pricing.
- Our goal at DDA Dental is to provide transparent, fair pricing with flexible options to make care accessible to everyone.
Full-Mouth Restoration FAQs
What is full-mouth restoration?
A comprehensive plan using a combination of treatments—fillings, crowns, implants, dentures—to rebuild a damaged or worn dentition.
Who needs restorative dentistry?
Patients with extensive decay, missing teeth, trauma, congenital issues, or severe wear.
Are porcelain crowns more expensive than other crowns?
Yes. All porcelain crowns are typically the most expensive type of dental crown. These are frequently used on the visible front teeth. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are less expensive and a great option for less visible teeth.
How long will a tooth-colored filling last?
Dental fillings can last a very long time without needing to be replaced. With excellent hygiene habits and regular dental visits, fillings can last 10+ years.
Schedule an Appointment to Restore Your Teeth to Good Health in Dunedin
The best way to know exactly how much restorative dentistry will cost is to schedule an appointment. At Dunedin Dental Associates we provide you with an accurate estimate for restoring your teeth to good health. Our professional, compassionate team will also work with you to prioritize immediate needs so that you can spread treatment over time. To schedule an appointment, call 727-734-3321 or send us a message.