An honest, transparent guide to dental pricing — and how to get a real estimate for your situation
Quick answer: Dental costs in Alberta depend on the specific procedure, your insurance, and your unique clinical situation — which is why we don’t publish a price list. At Redwater Dental Clinic, we follow the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), and offer direct insurance billing with most major plans. Call 780-942-4691 for a no-charge estimate.
It would be easier if we could just say “a crown is $X.” The honest reason we don’t is that two patients with the “same” problem can have very different costs:
A published price would be wrong for most patients. Worse, it would be wrong in unpredictable directions — sometimes higher than what you’d actually pay, sometimes lower. Instead of guessing, we’d rather give you a real number based on your real situation.
The Alberta Dental Fee Guide is a list of suggested fees for every dental procedure code in the province, updated annually by the Alberta Dental Association. It’s a reference benchmark, not a regulation — clinics can charge above or below it.
We follow the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. That means our fees stay aligned with the provincial benchmark, and your insurance company can predict our charges accurately. Many insurance plans reimburse based on the Fee Guide, so clinics that follow it cause fewer billing surprises.
Without quoting specific numbers, here’s an honest breakdown of what drives cost on the most commonly asked-about procedures:
The largest variable is how much tartar buildup you have and whether you need scaling and root planing (a deeper cleaning that addresses gum disease). Routine cleanings for healthy mouths are at the low end; deeper cleanings or longer scaling appointments are higher. Most insurance plans cover 80–100% of preventive cleanings.
Depends on which tooth, how many surfaces are affected, and the material (we use composite/white fillings). A small one-surface filling on a front tooth is at the low end; a large multi-surface filling on a back tooth is more.
Material matters most — porcelain-fused-to-metal, all-ceramic, and zirconia all sit at different price points. Same-day crowns (CEREC) use in-office ceramic milling and may have a different fee structure than traditional lab-fabricated crowns. See our same-day vs traditional crowns comparison.
Front teeth (one root) are the simplest; molars (three or four roots) take longer and cost more. Re-treatment of a previously root-canalled tooth is more complex than a first-time root canal.
The implant itself, the abutment, and the crown are usually three separate fees. Costs also depend on whether you need bone grafting first, sinus lifts, or sedation. Most insurance plans partially cover the crown portion; the implant post itself is often not covered.
Depends entirely on case complexity — short, simple alignment cases are at the low end; comprehensive cases that take 18 months and many trays are at the high end. Some insurance plans now include orthodontic coverage.
Priced per unit. The number of units depends on your goals and the area being treated. Botox consultations are always free — you’ll get a written estimate with no pressure to book. See Botox treatments.
Bottom line: Honest pricing depends on knowing your specific situation. The fastest path to a real number is a 5-minute phone call. Call 780-942-4691, text 855-577-1105, or email appointments@redwaterdentalclinic.com.
Call or come in — both are free
