How many
Coverage
Where you live
Rough range
$50–$500
National range, narrowed by area. Exams, x-rays, sedation and follow-ups are often billed separately.
Not a quote. Ask the dental office for a written estimate with procedure codes before you agree to anything.
Add the rest of your treatment plan →Low end
$50
Average
$200
High end
$500
- Without insurance
- $50–$500
- With insurance · out of pocket
- Usually not covered
- Typical coverage
- Considered cosmetic
Dental insurance does not usually cover it, because it is considered cosmetic, so expect to pay the full fee.
What you are paying for
What goes into the cost of a tooth contouring
Tooth contouring generally costs between $50 and $500 per tooth, with about $200 typical. The fee is almost entirely the dentist's time and judgment. There is no material to buy, no lab and normally no anesthetic, which is why it is one of the less expensive cosmetic procedures. Where you fall in the range depends on how much is done. Smoothing a single rough edge is quick and sits at the bottom. Reshaping several surfaces of a tooth, or balancing a row of front teeth against each other, takes longer and sits toward the top. Because it is cosmetic, insurance usually does not contribute and you should expect to pay the full amount. Possible additions are the exam, an X-ray, and bonding if a tooth needs building up as well as trimming.
Ways the bill can come down
Ask first whether the reshaping can be included in treatment you are already having. Orthodontists often refine tooth edges when braces come off, and dentists commonly do minor contouring alongside bonding or veneers without a separate charge. If a tooth was chipped in an injury, ask the dental office whether your plan would treat smoothing it as a repair. When several teeth are involved, ask for one fee for the group instead of a per-tooth price. Limit the work to the teeth that actually bother you. Starting conservatively is both the cheaper and the wiser course, since more enamel can always be removed later and none can be put back.
Table 1 — Factors that affect tooth contouring cost
Factors That Affect Tooth Contouring Cost
- 01
Number of teeth
Contouring is commonly priced per tooth. Evening out the edges of all the upper front teeth costs more than fixing one chipped corner, though some dentists quote a single fee for a group.
- 02
How much shaping each tooth needs
A light smoothing of one edge takes a minute or two. Changing the length, the corners and the sides of a tooth is a longer, more deliberate job and is charged accordingly.
- 03
Whether bonding is added
Contouring is often paired with bonding on the same or neighboring teeth. Bonding is a separate procedure with its own fee, so a combined plan costs more than reshaping alone.
- 04
Cosmetic or functional reason
Reshaping done purely for appearance is self-pay. Smoothing a tooth chipped in an accident, or adjusting a spot that interferes with the bite, may be coded differently and is sometimes considered by a plan.
- 05
The dentist's cosmetic focus
Dentists who concentrate on cosmetic work may charge more for the planning and attention to symmetry that go into reshaping visible front teeth.
Table 2 — Payment options
Payment Options
Dental Insurance
Plans usually pay part of the cost of covered procedures after a deductible, up to an annual maximum. Ask for a pre-treatment estimate.
Payment Plans
Many dentists offer in-house financing or work with CareCredit.
Dental Discount Plans
A yearly membership that gives reduced fees at participating dentists. Not insurance; check what it covers.
Dental Schools
Dental school clinics charge lower fees for care by supervised students. Appointments take longer.
Cost disclaimer
Cost estimates are based on national averages and may vary significantly based on your location, dentist, insurance coverage, and specific treatment needs. These figures are for informational purposes only and are not quotes or guarantees of pricing. Ask your dental office for a written estimate before treatment.