As a dentist, I think the prices are in line, but it reminds me of the saying "you are on the right train, but on the wrong tracks.. versus " You are on the wrong train, but the right track."
The prices seem to be relatively in line, but the rational is not.
First- what is the guarantee this "Composite" filling will last.. and for how long?
...or perhaps these should be the questions. How long do you plan to live? Will this filling make the journey with you or preserve your tooth for that journey? Once this filling fails, what is the next step?
How much will the NEXT step cost (and how can I avoid it?)
This is regardless of material, and regardless of filling size, or price.
And I am not saying composites are junk, and that older "metal" fillings are better..but something got my goat..
the link-regarding the link that mentions composites as the "better" material.
I call Bullsh#t!
https://www.cliniciansreport.org/products/dental-reports/the-epidemic-of-cervical-caries-in-class-ii-resin-box-forms-oral-appliances-proper-care-for-maximum-service-prophy-pastes-helpful-and-harmful-june-2018-volume-11-issue-6.php#
Sorry you can't read it without paying $$$. To summarize, it states these new fangled composites are failing in certain applications in a significant way, with some common sense suggestions to avoid this. Is your dentist using all these precautions? And if so, does he provide a guarantee?
again- it's not to badmouth composites, but different materials have different strengths in different applications. A one size fits all mentality doesn't always work.
Second- what is the dentist's overhead? The dentist has himself, his assistant, a front desk person, an insurance person, not to mention the material overhead and infrastructure overhead, which usually runs about 66% depending on how cheaply the dentist runs the place.
Today I had a patient who I did $10,000 worth of work, redoing work done in mexico (done improperly). The patient went to mexico to avoid the high upfront price.
She got a motormeister. I was surprised they didn't even paint her fan (face?) a matching color.
I spent the whole afternoon puckering my spincter, not knowing if I could undo the damage, but hopeful I could.
In the end, it worked out. I am optimistic, but the entire time I was reminded of this story:
https://www.davidairey.com/picasso-and-pricing-your-work/
probably some urban legend, but still, it applied.