Dentists in Canada set their own fees, and most of the cost of routine dental work comes from what was done (the procedure codes on the bill), how much of it there was (the number of surfaces filled or canals treated), and who did it (a general dentist or a specialist). Dental care isn’t covered by provincial health plans for most adults, so without insurance you pay the dentist’s fee yourself. This page explains how dental fees are set, what drives the price of each common procedure, what insurance and the federal dental plan pay, and how people lower a bill. It is part of our directory of what things cost in Canada.
How dental fees are set
In most provinces, the provincial dental association publishes a fee guide each year: a list of procedure codes with a suggested fee for each. Dentists aren’t required to follow it, but many set their fees by it, and insurance plans often reimburse by reference to it. A treatment plan or estimate from the dentist lists each procedure code and its fee, which is what to compare between offices and what to send to an insurer for a pre-treatment estimate.
What drives the cost of common procedures
| Procedure | What makes it cost more or less |
|---|---|
| Checkup (exam) | A complete first exam costs more than a routine recall exam; an emergency exam is billed separately |
| X-rays | The number and type of images (bitewings, a full set, a panoramic image) |
| Cleaning (scaling) | Billed in time units, so heavy tartar or gum disease means more units; polishing and fluoride are separate codes |
| Filling | The number of tooth surfaces, front or back tooth, and the material (white composite usually costs more than silver amalgam) |
| Root canal | The number of canals (front teeth usually have one, molars three or more) and whether a specialist (endodontist) does it; a crown often follows |
| Crown | The material (porcelain, metal, or porcelain fused to metal), the lab fee, and whether a core or post is needed first |
| Extraction | A simple extraction costs less than a surgical one; impacted wisdom teeth, sedation and an oral surgeon add to the cost |
Fees are usually higher in large cities than in smaller centres, and specialists charge more than general dentists for the same procedure. Replacing a missing tooth is a separate, larger cost, covered in the cost of dental implants; straightening teeth is covered in the cost of braces.
What insurance and government plans pay
- Workplace and private dental insurance usually pays a percentage of basic work (exams, cleanings, fillings), a lower percentage of major work (crowns, root canals in some plans), up to an annual maximum; see dental insurance in Canada.
- The Canadian Dental Care Plan pays part of the cost of a wide range of services for people without dental insurance. The federal Canadian Dental Care Plan covers Canadian residents for tax purposes who have no access to private dental insurance, have filed their tax return (as has any spouse or partner) and have adjusted family net income under $90,000. With adjusted family net income in the lowest band (Under $70,000), there is no co-payment on the plan’s established fee; families with higher incomes pay a co-payment of 40% or 60% of the plan’s fee, and any amount a dentist charges above the plan’s fee is extra. The Government of Canada lists exams, X-rays, cleaning, fluoride and sealants, fillings, root canal treatments, gum treatment, crowns (with preauthorization), dentures and extractions among the services that can be covered. How to apply is covered in the Canadian Dental Care Plan guide.
- Provincial programs cover dental care for some groups, such as children in low-income families and people on social assistance; the rules differ by province.
The medical expense tax credit
Dental work you pay for yourself (and dental insurance premiums you pay) can be claimed as medical expenses, above the lower of 3% of net income or $2,890 for 2026. Purely cosmetic work doesn’t qualify. How to claim, and which family member should claim, is in the medical expense tax credit guide.
Ways to lower a dental bill
| Approach | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Ask for a written treatment plan with procedure codes | Lets you compare offices and check what insurance will pay before treatment |
| Ask what’s urgent | Spreading non-urgent work across months, or across two insurance years, keeps costs within an annual maximum |
| Ask about payment plans | Many offices let patients pay in instalments |
| Dental school clinics | Supervised students treat patients, usually at reduced fees; appointments take longer |
| Community health centres | Some offer dental care on a sliding scale based on income |
| Dental hygiene clinics | In provinces where hygienists can practise independently, cleanings may be available outside a dentist’s office |
| Preventive care | Regular cleanings and exams catch problems while they’re small, before they need a root canal or crown |
Related reading
Sources
The figures and rules on this page come from these sources, last checked against them between September 24, 2026 and October 2, 2026. How we check facts.
- Government of Canada: Canadian Dental Care Plan
- Government of Canada: Do you qualify - Canadian Dental Care Plan
- Government of Canada: Canadian Dental Care Plan - What is covered