Thinking about dental care often brings up questions about cost. You want to plan for your family’s health, and understanding the potential expenses for dental services is a big part of that. It can feel confusing to figure out what different procedures cost and how they fit into your budget.
At Southgate Dental Centre, transparency about dental service fees is a priority, and the 2026 Alberta Dental Fee Guide helps you understand potential costs for your comprehensive dental care. This guide provides a reference for hundreds of dental procedure codes, so you have a clearer picture of what to expect.
What to Know About the 2026 Dental Fee Guide
The Alberta Dental Association & College (ADA&C) publishes a dental fee guide each year. It is not a mandatory price list—instead, it’s a guide that suggests fees for various dental services. It helps create a clear and consistent reference for you, your dental team, and your insurance provider, and you can find answers to common dental care questions from the Canadian Dental Association.
Each year, the guide is updated to reflect economic changes and the costs associated with providing dental care. The 2026 guide includes the current adjustments, helping you make informed decisions about your oral health treatments.
How Insurance & Payment Plans Can Help
Your dental insurance can be a great help when it comes to managing the cost of care. Most plans cover a percentage of the cost for different procedures, which reduces your out-of-pocket expenses. Since every plan is different, it’s a good idea to check with your insurance provider to learn the specifics of your coverage.
If you have services that aren’t fully covered or if you don’t have insurance, you can still get the care you need. Many dental offices offer personalized payment plans, and you can review frequently asked questions about billing to learn more. These plans can help spread the cost of your treatment over time, making it more manageable for your budget.
The Canada Dental Care Plan
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federal program designed to help with the cost of dental care for eligible Canadian residents who do not have access to dental insurance. Eligibility is being rolled out in phases based on age and other factors.
This program can help cover some of the costs for a range of oral health care services. Because the eligibility requirements may change, you can find the most up-to-date information on the official Government of Canada website.
Preventative Dentistry Prices
Dental Exams & X-Rays
Regular dental exams are key to maintaining a healthy smile. These appointments allow a dental team to spot small issues before they become larger problems. A single panoramic x-ray gives a broad view of your entire mouth, while bitewings focus on specific areas. Here are some of the 2026 suggested fees for common diagnostic services:
- Dental exam for children (baby teeth only): $89.80
- Dental exam for children, typically ages 5–12 (mixed baby & adult teeth): $122.35
- Dental exam for adults: $143.85
- Single panoramic x-ray: $111.40
- 2 bitewing x-rays: $59.90
- 4 bitewing x-rays: $110.10
Dental Cleanings & Preventative Treatment
Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar that you can’t get with regular brushing. Other preventative treatments like a professional fluoride application can add another layer of protection for your teeth.
- Polishing (1 unit = 15 minutes): $77.75
- Scaling (1 unit = 15 minutes): $87.25
- Fluoride treatment: $37.65
- Sealant for a single tooth: $42.40
Mouthguards
Custom-fit mouthguards offer protection for your teeth during sports or from the effects of grinding at night—also known as bruxism.
- Protective mouthguard: $120.70 + plus lab fees
- Bruxism appliance: $543.90 + plus lab fees
An Overview of Restorative Dental Fees
Fillings
When a cavity develops, a dental filling is used to restore the tooth’s function and shape. The cost depends on the material used and the size of the cavity.
- Silver coloured filling (two surfaces, baby tooth): $176.30
- Silver coloured filling (two surfaces, adult tooth): $249.50
- Tooth coloured filling (one surface, adult front tooth): $173.95
- Tooth coloured filling (one surface, adult molar): $210.80
Crowns
A dental crown is a cap that covers a damaged tooth to restore its strength and appearance. Keep in mind that lab fees are an additional cost for many types of crowns.
- Stainless steel crown for a back baby tooth: $258.70
- Metal or porcelain crown for an adult tooth: $1072.55 + lab fees
- Cast metal crown for an adult tooth: $1072.55 + plus lab fees
Root Canals
A root canal can save a tooth that has become infected or badly decayed. The cost varies based on which tooth is affected and how many canals it has.
- Pulpotomy (for a primary tooth): $98.50
- Root canal for an adult tooth with 1 canal: $795.45
- Root canal for an adult tooth with 2 canals: $1158.35
- Root canal for an adult tooth with 3 canals: $1354.65
Root canal costs do not include the filling to restore the tooth after the root canal therapy is completed.
Implants & Bridges
There are numerous reasons why we recommend a bridge or a dental implant to help restore the look and function of a lost tooth, but these services can range dramatically in price.
For a dental implant, these costs are determined on a case-by-case basis. You may require numerous steps to complete the treatment, like an extraction, a bone graft, an implant surgery, and a crown.
However, the ADA does provide a look into the cost of bridges, which we’ve included below.
It’s important to remember that these costs don’t reflect the lab fees associated with creating the bridge we’ll use to restore your smile. For a better understanding of the fees you might need to pay, please request an appointment with us.
Bridges
Dental bridges involve at least 3 teeth, 2 retainers, and one pontic.
- Porcelain fused to metal crowns for holding the bridge (retainer): $1172.65 + lab costs
- Porcelain fused to metal artificial teeth used for bridge (pontic): $570.30 + lab costs
Invisalign & Orthodontics
If you’re looking to straighten your teeth, treatments like Invisalign are also priced based on your unique smile. The cost of Invisalign at Southgate Dental Centre starts at $4995.00 for simple cases and goes up to $6250.00 for more complicated cases.
The final cost is determined during an oral exam after your treatment needs are assessed. Sometimes, we’ll recommend additional services like a dental cleaning or filling before starting an Invisalign treatment.
Dental Surgery
There are several dental surgeries, but the most common include tooth extractions and wisdom teeth removal. Prices can vary depending on your surgery, but the most common difference is between erupted (exposed) and impacted (unexposed) teeth. Wisdom teeth can be even more expensive depending on position in the jaw, and you may need to be referred to a specialist for treatment.
- Uncomplicated erupted tooth extraction: $174.55
- Complicated erupted tooth extraction: $314.75
Teeth Whitening
Whether you’re considering at-home whitening with custom trays or in-office professional whitening, we’re happy to share our current pricing to help you plan your treatment:
- Whitening Trays: $195 (no lab fee)
- Zoom Whitening: $475 (includes trays, take-home whitening, and desensitizer)
Please note that teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic service and typically not covered by most dental insurance plans. If you have any questions, our front-desk team is happy to help and provide an estimate prior to beginning treatment.
Here for Your Dental Needs
Please feel free to contact the team at Southgate Dental Centre today if you have questions. We’ll be happy to walk you through the estimated costs of your treatment and work with your insurance provider to help you achieve the smile you deserve.
