Dental Crowns Cost? Is it a common situation for this kind of the dental work?

As you can see from other's responses, costs vary tremendously based on region and skill level of dentist, as well as quality of lab. What you should be concerned with is why did the dentist quote you one fee, and then submit a different fee to insurance (higher), and then tell you that you are responsible for more than he originally said!!

as far as fee go, everybody charges the fee that can.  Wide variation in quality and skill. But, is a bridge the best treatment?  With implants, you preserve tooth structure and all teeth can be single units. Longevity is also potentially lifetime with implants, if the work is completed correctly.  Good luck with your treatment.  

The cost can vary quite a bit. I would say from $700 to over $2000 per crown depending on many things: geographic location, which teeth, skill and quality of dentist, lab cost.

In my opinion the biggest cost is the time and skill of the dentist. I reserve an hour and a half to prepare a crown. I also take my own impression (which is state law) and make my own temporary. You may get a lower fee at a high volume office but the dentist may only spend 30 min. with you and the impression may be taken by an assistant (it should not be) and the temporary will be made by an assistant (which is allowed but the dentist has to check it). Also, the lab cost can vary from $70 to over $400 per crown. This cost has to do with the quality of metal or porcelain and the ceramist skill.

The insurance issue can be confusing. I would call your insurance and have them clear it up for you. This depends on whether your dentist is in or out of network. Somehow the math doesn't add up; If the cost of the bridge is $4900 and the insurance paid $1800, then you should only be responsible for $3100.  Some offices send in estimates that are higher to the insurance in an effort to get more coverage. This should help the patient out by reducing their portion. Technically this is considered insurance fraud, because you are inflating the cost for billing purposes but the actuall fee is less.

The fee for the bridge should be determined by the office and it should be the same for cash patients and for insurance patients. Unless you are in-network, which you may get a fee max fee set by the insurance co.

Best way is to send a pre-estimate or pre-determination ahead of time to see how much will be covered before the work is started. This way you can plan your budget accordingly.

Hope this helps

Dr. T