Tooth filling cost in India (2026)
What a cavity filling costs in India, how the material changes the price, and why filling early saves you money.
A tooth filling in India typically costs ₹850 to ₹2,450 per tooth for a tooth-coloured composite filling. GIC fillings start at about ₹1,500 at one national chain. Inlays and onlays cost more, from about ₹2,800 for metal and ₹3,900 for ceramic. The government CGHS rate for a composite filling is ₹500 to ₹1,000.
These are typical ranges reported by Indian clinics in 2025-26, and they vary by city and clinic. The biggest saving is to fill a cavity while it is small.
How to read these prices
These are typical ranges reported by Indian clinics in 2025-26. Most chains publish a starting price, so your quote can be higher. Prices vary by city and clinic. No single clinic sets the market price.
What affects the cost of a filling
Size and depth of the cavity
A small hole on one surface takes a few minutes. A large cavity across several surfaces takes longer and costs more.
The material
Composite, GIC and amalgam are placed in one visit. Inlays and onlays are made to measure, often in a lab, so they cost more.
Which tooth
Back teeth take more biting force and can be harder to reach. Larger fillings on molars are priced higher.
Your city and clinic
CGHS sets lower rates for Tier II and Tier III cities. Private clinics in metros usually charge more.
What is usually included
- Numbing the tooth with local anaesthetic, at many clinics. Ask first.
- Removing the decay and shaping the cavity.
- The filling material and setting it with a curing light, for composite.
- Checking your bite and polishing the filling.
X-rays are often extra. Inlays and onlays need 2 visits and a lab fee, which is usually built into the price.
Filling materials compared
| Material | What it is | Published prices per tooth (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Composite (tooth-coloured) | Resin that matches your tooth shade, set with a light | ₹850 to ₹2,450 at a national chain. ₹1,500 at another. CGHS ₹500 to ₹1,000 |
| GIC (glass ionomer) | Tooth-coloured cement that releases fluoride. Often used near the gums and in children | From ₹1,522 at a national chain. CGHS ₹600 |
| Amalgam (silver) | Metal filling used for many decades | Few Indian clinics publish a price. Ask your dentist |
| Inlay or onlay | A filling made outside the mouth and bonded in place | Metal from ₹2,797, ceramic from ₹3,902 at a national chain. CGHS ₹1,500 |
I could not find a published amalgam price from an Indian clinic chain or the CGHS list. So I have left a number out rather than guess.
Questions to ask your dentist
- How many teeth need fillings? Can you show me on the X-ray?
- Which material are you using, and why for this tooth?
- Is local anaesthetic included?
- Is the cavity close to the nerve? Could it need a root canal later?
- If a filling chips or falls out soon, is the repair charged?
Cheaper vs pricier options, honestly
For a small cavity, a composite or GIC filling is usually enough. An inlay costs more because it is made to measure. It can make sense for a large cavity on a back tooth, where a direct filling may not hold up well. Ask your dentist to explain the choice for your tooth.
The real saving is timing. A small filling today costs a few hundred to a couple of thousand rupees. If decay reaches the nerve, you may need a root canal and crown, which costs much more. To keep cavities from forming, read how to stop cavities before they start.
All treatments in one table: dental treatment costs in India (2026).
Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of a tooth filling in India?
A tooth-coloured composite filling in India typically costs ₹850 to ₹2,450 per tooth at national chains. A GIC filling starts at about ₹1,500 at one chain. Inlays and onlays cost more, from about ₹2,800 for metal and ₹3,900 for ceramic.
How much does a cavity filling cost?
Cavity filling cost depends on the size of the cavity and the material. A small composite filling costs less than a large one that covers several surfaces. Published prices at national chains range from ₹850 to ₹2,450 per tooth.
Which filling is the cheapest?
Published private prices are close for composite and GIC fillings. Under the government CGHS list, a small composite filling is ₹500 and a GIC filling ₹600 in Tier I cities. Few clinics publish amalgam prices, so ask your dentist directly.
Is a tooth-coloured filling worth it?
For front teeth, a tooth-coloured composite filling is the usual choice. For back teeth, your dentist will choose based on the size of the cavity and how hard you bite. Ask which material suits that tooth and why.
Is local anaesthetic charged separately for a filling?
It depends on the clinic. One national chain states that local anaesthetic is included in its filling fee. Ask your clinic before treatment.
When does a filling turn into a root canal?
If decay reaches the nerve of the tooth, a filling alone may not be enough. Pain that lingers after hot or cold, or pain that wakes you at night, can be a sign. That is why small cavities are cheaper to treat early.
See a dentist in person if…
- A tooth hurts for a long time after hot or cold, or wakes you at night.
- You have swelling near a tooth, or a pimple on the gum.
- A filling has fallen out and the tooth is sharp or sensitive.
- You can see a dark hole or a crack in a tooth.
Told you need several fillings and want to understand why? Book a ₹200 video consultation.
Sources
Prices were read on the pages below on 5 Oct 2026. Clinics change their prices often. Treat every figure as a guide and ask for a written quote.
- Clove Dental. Dental filling cost in India, published price page. https://clovedental.in/cost/dental-filling-cost
- Sabka Dentist. Complete dental price list (stated as indicative prices). https://sabkadentist.com/complete-dental-pricelist/
- Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Office Memorandum F.No.5-16/CGHS(HQ)/HEC/2024 dated 03.10.2025: CGHS rates applicable for treatment at healthcare organisations, effective 13.10.2025, Annexure I, dental procedures (Tier I, II and III city lists). https://dtf.in/wp-content/files/CGHS_O.M._dated_03.10.2025_-_CGHS_Rates_applicable_for_treatment_at_healthcare_organisation.pdf
- CGHS official website, where the rate lists are published. https://cghs.mohfw.gov.in/