How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost?
The cost of a dental crown ranges from $500 to $3,000 for a single tooth, but the average cost of dental crown procedures (with all related fees) is $5,675, according to 356 reviews on RealSelf. Some patients say they paid as much as $17,000 for an extensive procedure involving multiple teeth.
Dental crowns can cover a weak, cracked, worn down, severely discolored, or damaged tooth. They can also cover, support, and protect large fillings, broken cusps, a tooth that's been hollowed out by a root canal, or a dental bridge.
Read on to find out whether insurance covers crowns, why they’re so expensive, why prices vary so much, and whether patients say it’s worth the money.
Does insurance cover dental crowns?
Most dental insurance plans cover about 50% of total dental crown costs. How much you’ll have to pay out of pocket will depend on your insurance coverage, deductible, and copays.
If your dentist can’t provide an estimate of your out-of-pocket cost in advance of your procedure, contact your insurance provider to find out how much they’ll cover.
Your insurance company may require a letter from your dentist, stating that a dental crown is the best treatment option for you. This should be submitted to them for approval in advance of your procedure, so you’ll be able to confirm that your coverage was approved (and for how much).
If you're paying for a crown without insurance or have a high deductible, ask your dental office about payment plans or financing options.
Why do dental crowns cost so much?
Getting a dental crown is a common, nonsurgical dental procedure, but a great deal of expertise, labor, and technology still goes into creating a customized crown.
Getting a crown requires at least two dental visits and several steps:
- First, your cosmetic dentist or oral surgeon will prepare your natural tooth for the crown. This may involve grinding down some of the existing tooth structure and placing new fillings.
- Once your tooth is prepped, they’ll take a mold of it and the surrounding teeth. They’ll use this mold to create a temporary crown, which will be affixed to your tooth before you leave.
- They’ll send the mold to a dental laboratory, where a custom permanent crown will be made. Some dental offices have a CEREC machine, a 3-D scanner and printer that can do same-day fabrication, eliminating the need for a temporary crown.
- When the dental crown is fabricated, you’ll return to your dentist for a second visit to remove the temporary crown, and to fit, adjust and cement the permanent crown.
Add that to that the cost of the dental crown material, and it’s no wonder this procedure comes with a hefty price tag.
Are dental crowns worth the money?
Dental crowns have earned a 91% Worth It Rating from patients who’ve reviewed their procedure on RealSelf. So while it’s a hefty investment, most patients thought it was money well spent.
Compared to other types of dental restoration, dental crowns are stronger, last longer, and can offer natural-looking results. For example, a filling is designed to treat a shallow cavity, while a crown can restore a tooth that’s up to 50% missing.
A dental crown is also about half the price of a dental implant, a replacement tooth that’s affixed to a small metal “root” implanted in the jaw bone. The price range for a single dental implant is between $1,000 and $6,000.
If you choose a strong material and stay committed to regular dental care and cleanings, your investment in a new crown could last up to 15 years.
Why does the cost of dental crowns vary?
These are the top factors that determine what you’ll pay for dental crowns.
1. The type of crown you get
Your provider can choose from several different types of dental crowns, depending on your overall oral health, the health of your gum tissue, the condition of your natural teeth and your budget.
- All-porcelain or all-ceramic crowns can be made to match your natural teeth, so they're very realistic looking—and can be very costly. The expense may be worth it if you’re replacing front teeth. Price range: $800 - $3,000
- Zirconia crowns, a relatively new, extremely durable type of material, can also be tooth-colored. They’re widely used and about as expensive as all-porcelain options.
- Porcelain fused to metal crowns also very durable, but note that a thin line of metal may be visible along the gum line. Price range: $500 - $1,500
- Gold crowns or metal crowns made from a gold alloy (which may also include copper, nickel, or chromium) are often used to replace back teeth like molars, which aren’t as visible. Price range: $600 - $2,500
- Composite resin crowns are the most low-cost option and the least durable. In fact, all-resin crowns are considered temporary crowns because they won’t last longer than a few years. Price range: $400 - $600
2. How many tooth crowns you need
Some people only need one dental crown for a single damaged tooth, while others need multiple dental crowns to cap teeth that have become worn down from grinding, decay, or other dental problems.
3. The amount of prep work required
Before you can get a crown, your dentist or oral surgeon will need to assess the strength and health of your damaged tooth.
If you have an impacted or broken tooth, your dentist will need to perform the necessary work to fix your tooth to prepare it for the crown.
This might mean filling a tooth in or even performing a root canal, which could double the overall cost of your dental crown procedure.
RealSelf Tip: If you don't have enough healthy tooth left for a crown, your provider might recommend a dental implant instead. As we mentioned above, this surgical procedure—which gives you a replacement tooth on a new metal "root"—is much lengthier and more expensive, but the results can last decades.
4. Your provider’s level of experience
More experienced dentists or oral surgeons usually charge more for their expertise, especially if they have strong patient demand.
The cost can be worth it to get the best results, especially if you’re getting a crown on a very visible tooth.
5. Their practice location
Your provider's fees will also depend on the cost of rent in their city and neighborhood, as well as the level of demand in their area.
If you’re looking for ways to save and don’t mind going out of your way, it may be worth it get personalized cost quotes from more than one qualified provider. Look for those who have relatively basic practices in affordable locations—not a fancy office in an expensive part of town.
It’s still important to make sure they have a strong track record of happy patient reviews, but plenty of good dentistry practices operate in modest strip malls or office parks, to try to keep patient costs down.
6. Any additional costs
In addition to the cost of your crown and related dental services, you can expect to pay for X-rays, local anesthesia, and possibly oral sedation or nitrous oxide (which is usually optional).
You will also have to budget for replacing the dental crown in 5-15 years, depending on the material you choose.