As price lists are not common in dentists' offices, patients often ask for an estimated cost of the procedure they need.

An ounce of prevention
Prevention is the best way to save money and avoid hassle. It is enough to get a check-up every six months. Many dental problems get much worse with time.

Besides the advantages of good dental hygiene, a problem that might initially be resolved with a filling can get worse if ignored and require a root canal, for instance.

High fees
In January the Federation of Consumers in Action reportedly widely varying fees charged in Spanish dental clinics, with differences of up to 433% between the cheapest provinces and the most expensive. The study examines 167 clinics in 17 Spanish cities.

The study showed that while some dentists charge 30 euros for a filling, other charge 105. The average was 48 euros.

Extractions, fillings and root canals
The average cost of a root canal (a procedure in which the nerve inside a tooth is eliminated so as to kill the source of pain) is 138 euros. If the tooth has to be rebuilt the fee can be twice as high.

Extractions cost an average of 40 euros, although this can be higher or lower depending on the clinic, and so long as we are not talking about wisdom teeth. Still, consumers who want to save money should remember that the public health care system covers extractions if there are no added costs.

In general, the cost of a cleaning is 45 euros.

Besides the above mentioned procedures, dentists perform others such as reconstructions, bridges and implants. The price is multiplied by the number of teeth that need work. Add other costs such as x-rays and anestesia.