Dentists give estimates, usually called treatment plans, before any treatment beyond routine care such as crowns, implants, bridges, dentures, orthodontics, and cosmetic work. Patients compare total cost, the insurance portion, payment options, and sometimes a second opinion from another practice.
When to use estimates: Use estimates to provide project quotes and get client approval before starting work. Once approved, convert your estimate to an invoice with one click to collect payment.
Create an invoice for payment collection
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A line-by-line plan shows exactly what is being done and prevents surprise charges later.
Patients decide based on what they will pay, so show coverage, deductibles, and annual maximums, and note it is an estimate.
It clarifies timing, and phasing can spread costs across benefit years.
Porcelain, zirconia, and metal crowns or implant brands differ in price, and the patient should know what the quote includes.
Items such as sedation, bone grafts, build-ups, temporary crowns, or follow-up adjustments may be extra and should be named.
Offering options such as a filling versus a crown supports informed consent and helps the patient choose a price level.
Fees and insurance benefits change, so state how long the estimate stands, such as 60 or 90 days.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive or periodic exam | per visit | $50-150 |
| Adult cleaning (prophylaxis) | per visit | $90-200 |
| Bitewing X-rays | per set | $30-80 |
| Composite (tooth-colored) filling | per tooth/surface set | $150-450 |
| Porcelain or ceramic crown | per tooth | $900-1,800 |
| Simple extraction | per tooth | $150-400 |
| Root canal (molar) | per tooth | $900-1,800 |
| In-office teeth whitening | flat fee | $300-700 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
Show a good, better, and best path when it is clinically reasonable, such as a filling, an onlay, or a crown. Patients are more likely to accept when they can choose.
Check the plan's coverage percentage, deductible used, annual maximum remaining, waiting periods, and frequency limits. A pre-treatment estimate request to the insurer helps for larger work.
Many patients without coverage compare your fees to others. A clear in-house plan or prepay discount can win acceptance while keeping pricing consistent.
For full-mouth work, quote urgent care first, then restorative, then cosmetic. Smaller phased totals are easier to accept and to finance.
No. Fees are usually firm, but the final patient cost can change if clinical findings change the treatment or if insurance pays differently. State this clearly on the treatment plan.
Most practices include the treatment plan with the exam fee. A separate consultation fee for complex cases, such as implants or orthodontics, is common if you disclose it first.
Give them a printed or emailed itemized plan with CDT codes so they can compare the same procedures. It also shows you are transparent.
Stop and explain the change, give an updated fee, and get the patient's agreement before proceeding unless it is an emergency. Document the conversation in the chart.
Use the Dentist invoice template to bill the client, or convert this estimate once it's approved.
Dentist invoice template