White vs Amalgam Fillings Cost in NSW: 2026 Price and Comparison Guide

A white composite filling in generally costs $200–$500, while an amalgam filling costs $150–$400, so about 80% of the cost. The White versio costs more because it's a technique-sensitive material that's bonded to the tooth in layers and shaped by hand, rather than packed in as a single mass. If you want something more durable again for a heavily worn or broken-down tooth, an indirect ceramic inlay or onlay runs $1,200–$1,900+ and is made to fit your tooth exactly.

As we mentioned above, the material your dentist uses is a key contributing factor in what a filling costs and how long it lasts. Here's how the main options compare.

*These are indicative Australian market ranges, not a Nest Dental quote. We do at Nest publish our prices for item codes which, in conjunction with this guide, will provide you a much better insight into how much a filling might actually cost. Your practice should confirm the precise costs when your dentist can look inside your mouth, check your dental X-rays before any work starts. Composite and amalgam are the two most relevant for most people weighing this up, so let's look at them side by side, so you have much deeper insight into what is actually going in your mouth.

If your tooth is visible when you smile or talk, getting a composite filling is usually the better fit. It bonds directly to your tooth structure, which can mean less drilling in some cases, and it's mercury-free. For small to medium cavities, front teeth, and anywhere appearance is a priority, white is the preferred option by dentists and patients aike.

Amalgam still has a place on heavy-load back molars, where strength and longevity count for more than looks, or where cost is the deciding factor. That said, it's now uncommon in most dental practices in Australia because most patients ask for white composite by default.

As we highlighted above, there are a number of contributing factors to the costs of fillings:

• Filling material – composite, amalgam, glass ionomer, ceramic or gold, as above. Each of these are more or less expensive to both make and purchase.
• Cavity size and depth – a small surface cavity costs less to fill than one that's deep or close to the nerve. Smaller hole, its quicker to fix. When it's close to a nerve, your dentist needs to take extra time and care to avoid the nerve. You dont want them going anywhere near that!
• Number of surfaces – fillings are billed by the number of tooth surfaces involved (ADA items 521–525 cover one, two, or three or more surfaces). The more surfaces or area that needs to be addressed, the higher the cost. Makes sense right?
• Tooth location – front teeth are often quicker and simpler than back molars, which can need more material and more time. More immediate access means it takes less time to fill the tooth than a rear very hard-to-access tooth, with decay not immediately visible.
• Replacing an old filling – removing existing material adds a step compared with a first-time filling. It needs to be drilled out before the new filling can be added. That means that tooth has to be 100% clean first.

At Nest, we give you a written estimate before any of this starts, so the number you're told is the number you can plan around.

Prices for filling in capital cities and metro areas tend to be higher nationally, largely due to overheads. Rent and wages all costs more, which needs to be passed onto the patients understandably. On top of the filling itself, most visits also include an exam (ADA item 011) and often an X-ray (ADA item 022) to check the extent of decay, both usually charged separately. At Nest Dental we quote upfront and in writing before you commit to treatment, so there's no guessing on the day.

This is a fair question, and one we're happy to answer plainly. Amalgam has been used in dentistry for well over a century and has a long, well-documented clinical track record. The fact is that most patients simply prefer a tooth-coloured result. It isn't a safety recall, and it isn't a sign that existing amalgam fillings are dangerous.

If you have old amalgam fillings that are intact and doing their job, there's usually no clinical need to remove them. If a dentist ever recommends removal, it should be because of decay, a crack, or a filling that's failed, not because amalgam itself is being treated as a problem. Worth checking tooth by tooth with your dentist rather than assuming a blanket answer applies.

If you're looking to swap an old silver filling for a white one, it's priced the same way a new composite filling would be, based on the tooth and the number of surfaces, plus the step of safely removing the existing material first. People usually make this change for one of three reasons:

• They want a more natural-looking smile
• The old filling is worn or cracked, or
• There's decay developing underneath it that needs addressing anyway.

Composite fillings typically last around 5–7 years, amalgam around 10–15, and ceramic 15 years or more. It's worth thinking beyond the price on the day. A cheaper filling that needs replacing every five years can end up costing more over a decade than a pricier one that lasts twice as long, especially once you factor in the appointment time and the risk of decay creeping in underneath an ageing filling. Regular check-ups and cleans matter here too, since catching decay early is what keeps a small filling from turning into something bigger, like a root canal or a crown. Cheapest today isn't always cheapest overall, and that's worth weighing up rather than defaulting to the lowest quote.

Fillings are covered under Extras cover with most health funds, though the rebate you get depends on your level of cover, your annual limit, and whether your fund has a preferred-provider arrangement with your clinic.

Nest Dental accepts all health funds and can process claims on the spot via HICAPS, so you only pay the gap. We're also a Preferred Provider with NIB, CBHS, TUH, Union Health and smile.com.au, which can mean a better rebate depending on your policy.

Payment plans are available if you'd rather spread the cost. Eligible children may also be covered under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). It's worth checking the specific ADA item number with your fund before treatment, since that's what determines your rebate, and we're happy to help you work out what that number is.

Three questions tend to settle it:

1. Which tooth is it? Front teeth usually favour composite for appearance. Heavy-load back molars sometimes suit either, depending on the cavity.
2. Is it a new cavity or a replacement? Replacing an old filling adds a removal step and is worth discussing in terms of why the old one failed.
3. What does your health fund cover? Your rebate and preferred-provider status can shift the real cost either way.

The honest answer is that the right filling is individual to your tooth, your bite, and your priorities, and it's best confirmed at an exam rather than guessed at from a price list.

If you've got a cavity that needs sorting, or you're thinking about swapping an old amalgam filling for something less visible, we're happy to talk it through, judgement-free, with no pressure either way. You'll get an upfront, written estimate before anything happens. Nest Dental is on Pacific Highway in St Leonards, an easy walk from St Leonards Station and Crows Nest Metro. Call us on 02 9436 1874 or book online for new patients and existing patients alike.