Dental Filling Cost in Dubai: Prices by Type

Dental filling cost in Dubai runs from about AED 150 for a small single-surface composite to AED 800 for a large multi-surface one, while ceramic inlays and onlays sit between AED 800 and 2,000. At Mint Dental Care a composite filling is 400 to 800 AED. The number depends on the material, how many surfaces of the tooth are involved, and how deep the cavity has gone. (All figures are typical Dubai ranges, not fixed prices.)
The wide spread is why quotes confuse people. A clinic advertising a filling from AED 75 and one quoting AED 600 may both be honest, because they are not describing the same restoration. Here is what actually drives the price, and what to check before you agree to it.
Need a filling and want a straight quote first? Book an examination at Mint Dental Care. Call +971 4 266 6763, WhatsApp us, or see our composite filling treatment.
How much does a dental filling cost in Dubai?

| Filling type | Typical Dubai range | Usually used for |
|---|---|---|
| Composite, single surface | AED 150 to 400 | Small cavity, front or back tooth |
| Composite, two to three surfaces | AED 300 to 800 | Larger cavity spanning the biting surface and a side |
| Glass ionomer | AED 200 to 450 | Root surfaces, baby teeth, temporary restorations |
| Amalgam | AED 100 to 300 | Rarely placed now, mostly being replaced |
| Ceramic inlay or onlay | AED 800 to 2,000 | Large cavities where a filling would be too weak |
| At Mint Dental Care | AED 400 to 800 (composite) | Our published price for a composite filling |
Those dental filling cost ranges reflect what Dubai clinics quote in 2026, and the low advertised figures almost always describe the simplest possible case: one small surface, no anaesthetic complexity, no lining, no adjustment appointment.
What drives the dental filling cost up
- The number of surfaces, which is the single biggest factor. A cavity confined to the biting surface costs far less than one wrapping around two or three sides of the tooth.
- The material, since composite bonds to the tooth and is shade-matched by hand, while amalgam is quicker but visible and rarely offered now.
- The depth, because a cavity close to the nerve needs a protective lining, and one that has reached the nerve needs root canal treatment before any filling can be placed.
- The tooth position, as front teeth demand layering and polishing for appearance while back teeth demand strength under chewing load.
- Whether the tooth is restorable at all, since a cavity that has destroyed a cusp usually needs an onlay or a crown rather than a filling, which changes the quote entirely.
That last point is where the real cost difference between clinics appears, and it is a clinical judgement rather than a price list. Our guide on choosing the right dental filling covers how the decision is made.
What the dental filling cost buys: composite, glass ionomer or ceramic
| Material | Appearance | Typical lifespan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite resin | Matches the tooth | 5 to 10 years | Almost all everyday fillings |
| Glass ionomer | Slightly opaque | 3 to 5 years | Root surfaces, children, releases fluoride |
| Ceramic inlay or onlay | Excellent | 10 to 15 years | Large cavities, heavy bites |
| Amalgam | Silver, visible | 10 to 15 years | Legacy fillings, now mostly replaced |
Composite is the modern standard and what most patients in Dubai receive. It bonds to the remaining tooth so less healthy structure is drilled away, and it is repairable. Its trade-off is a shorter lifespan than ceramic and a technique-sensitive placement, which is precisely what you are paying the difference for between a rushed filling and a carefully layered one. Our comparison of which type of dental filling is best goes deeper into the materials.
What the appointment involves, and where the cost changes
A straightforward filling takes 30 to 45 minutes, and that is the visit the standard dental filling cost covers. The tooth is numbed, the decay is removed, the cavity is cleaned and, for composite, etched and bonded before the material is placed in layers and cured with a light. The bite is then checked and adjusted, and the surface polished.
If the decay has reached the nerve, the plan changes to root canal treatment first, which is quoted separately, and our page on fillings and root canal treatment explains where the line between the two sits. Sensitivity to cold for a few days afterwards is normal; pain on biting that lasts beyond a week usually means the filling needs a small adjustment, which should not be charged as a new treatment.
Insurance, and a dental filling cost quote you can trust

Insurance changes what you actually pay, so it belongs in any dental filling cost calculation. Most UAE dental plans cover fillings as a basic benefit with a co-payment, and many exclude cosmetic replacement of sound amalgam fillings. Ask the clinic to submit for pre-approval where the insurer allows it, since that turns an estimate into a confirmed figure before you sit in the chair.
Three questions worth asking about any dental filling cost quote: how many surfaces are being charged, whether the price includes the anaesthetic and the bite adjustment visit, and what happens if the tooth turns out to need root canal treatment once the decay is opened up. A clinic that answers all three clearly is quoting you a treatment, not a headline.
Comparing a headline price from one clinic against a full quote from another is the most common mistake patients make here, and it usually costs more in the end, because the cheapest fillings are the ones most likely to be redone. What genuinely reduces your lifetime dental filling cost is catching cavities while they are small: a two-surface composite today is a fraction of the onlay or crown the same tooth needs in three years, and a check-up every six months is what makes that difference. If you already have a filling that has been in place for a decade, ask for it to be reviewed at your next visit rather than waiting for it to break.
Get an examination and a written quote at Mint Dental Care, Barsha Heights (TECOM), Dubai. MOHAP-licensed team, 4.8-star patient rating. Call +971 4 266 6763, WhatsApp us, or book online, and see our published fees on the dental service prices page.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tooth filling cost in Dubai?
The dental filling cost is between AED 150 and 800 for a composite filling depending on how many surfaces are involved, and AED 800 to 2,000 for a ceramic inlay or onlay. At Mint Dental Care a composite filling is 400 to 800 AED.
Why does the advertised dental filling cost start so low?
Because a headline figure describes the simplest single-surface filling on an easily accessible tooth. Once the cavity spans two or three surfaces, or needs a lining because it is deep, the dental filling cost moves up the range accordingly.
Which material justifies a higher dental filling cost?
Ceramic inlays and onlays at 10 to 15 years, with amalgam similar but rarely placed now. Composite typically lasts 5 to 10 years and is repairable, which is why it remains the default choice for most cavities.
Does insurance cover fillings in the UAE?
Usually yes as a basic benefit, with a co-payment and often an annual cap. Cosmetic replacement of intact amalgam fillings is commonly excluded. Ask for pre-approval before treatment where your insurer allows it.
Does getting a filling hurt?
No. The tooth is numbed first and the procedure itself is painless. Cold sensitivity for a few days afterwards is normal, and discomfort on biting that persists past a week means the filling needs a minor adjustment.
How long does the appointment take?
Thirty to forty-five minutes for a straightforward filling. Two small fillings can often be done in one visit, which saves you a second anaesthetic and a second appointment fee.
When does a filling need replacing?
When the margin leaks, decay appears underneath on an X-ray, the filling chips, or sensitivity returns. Age alone is not a reason, and a sound filling should be left alone regardless of how long it has been there.