Dental crown costs are intimidating enough to cause over 90% of Americans to delay a dental appointment. But if you have any long-term damage like cavities, chips, or cracks, your oral health might benefit from a dental crown. This is one of the most common dental treatments to correct tooth damage and decay with ease.
But how do you get around the high dentist costs if you don’t have insurance? In this consumer guide, we’ll break down dental crown costs, different ways to pay for it, and how to keep procedures affordable.
A dental crown (also known as a cap) can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,500 per crown, depending on the materials used, anesthesia, and other factors. These fees may or may not include additional x-rays, cleaning, and screenings that a dentist may conduct before they put in a dental crown.
Since dental crowns are often necessary to correct damaged teeth, insurance plans often cover the costs. But if you pay for dental crowns out of pocket, the costs quickly pile up, especially if you have multiple teeth to address.
Dental crowns are caps placed on the top of damaged teeth. Think of them as little hats that go on top of your teeth to protect, cover, and restore the shape of a tooth when fillings aren’t enough.
If you get a damaged tooth because of decay or trauma, a dentist might reshape your tooth to fit a replacement crown. The crown is then placed over the reshaped tooth to cover the visible portion.
You might need a crown to protect a weak tooth from breaking further or covering a tooth that needs a large filling. Crowns can also fix a broken tooth, keep a dental bridge in place, and cover a dental implant or root canal.
Poor oral health from lack of brushing or flossing can lead to plaque buildup on the tooth. If left untreated, this can decrease the durability of a tooth and lead to infections of the nerve. To treat decay, the infected portion of the tooth must be removed, which leaves the inner portions susceptible to damage. A crown covers this portion of the tooth to prevent further damage.
Crowns can be made of many different materials. One of the most common materials is metal, including metal alloys like gold, palladium, chromium, or metal. These are extremely long-lasting and rarely break, allowing you to withstand biting and chewing force.
The main drawback is that they are metallic in color so they don’t look like teeth. These are best for molars that cannot be seen.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns have a more natural tooth color while still super strong and durable. With that said, the underlying metal can sometimes be seen, and the porcelain over top might chip to reveal the crown underneath.
All-resin crowns are the most affordable, but they are also the most likely to break. All ceramic or porcelain crown options are available too. While they aren’t as strong as metal ones, these are the closest to a natural tooth color while also still being a little more durable than resin crowns.
The cost of a dental crown depends on a wide range of factors like the type of material, size of the crown, and placement in the mouth. Not to mention, if you need to get root canals or fillings before the crown is placed, it can rack up a higher price tag.
Your front teeth are the first thing people see when you smile. That means dentists need to up the ante with front-tooth crowns — color match and fit need to be that much more precise. So with the extra detail and technique needed, front-tooth crowns tend to cost more than average.
If we work with an overall average of $500 to $2,500 for dental crown costs, you can expect front tooth crown costs to sit on the higher end, around $2,000 to $2,500.
On the lower end?
Temporary crowns are made from different materials than traditional crowns, like acrylic or composite. These are simply temporary covers while you wait for your dental crown appointment, and are much cheaper.
Average costs for temporary crowns range between $200 and $700. But keep in mind that these aren’t long-term solutions, and only last about 2-3 weeks before needing to be replaced.
Dental insurance companies can cover a portion of the cost of dental crown procedures. However, a dental insurance policy charges monthly even if you don’t get treatment, and is a separate plan from traditional health insurance coverage. Even then, your insurance plan usually only pays for about $400-$500 worth of the type of dental crown that you get.
For those reasons, over 33% of American adults do not have dental benefits, leaving a large number of individuals without access to the care they need. But the out-of-pocket costs of dental crowns can be just as unattainable.
The average cost of a single crown without insurance can be anywhere between $1,100 and $1,300. This price range varies depending on the materials used. Factor in costs for accompanying x-rays and cleaning, and you start to wonder if your crown is more important than rent or groceries.
Dental crown costs vary depending on the materials used. Here’s a quick breakdown of your options:
Porcelain crowns are the most aesthetically striking option because of their translucent shade that perfectly matches your tooth color. They don’t leave gum lines and rarely have allergic reactions. However, they cost more because they require more teeth filing and labor to implant.
They also tend to be more fragile than gold or metal crowns.
Cost range: $800 to $3,000
Gold crowns are extremely durable and can last up to 20 years. They’re also the preference for some who enjoy the aesthetic of gold and are ideal for back molars where you can’t see the different colors up close.
However, they are a bit more malleable than other metals, which could cause the crown to shift in size over time.
Cost range: $1,000 to $1,200
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns add a bit more durability to the fragility of a porcelain crown without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. They tend to cost slightly less but are a popular choice for dentists.
Cost range: $800 to $1,400
Zirconia crowns are some of the most durable and are ideal for patients who struggle with teeth grinding since the material won’t crack under pressure. They tend to run a bit higher in cost for their supreme durability.
Cost range: $1,200 to $2,000
E-max crowns are made with lithium disilicate, a newly popular ceramic material used for dental restoration. It’s often layered with porcelain to create an ultra-realistic tooth that looks the most genuine of all the options listed–and understandably, they tend to cost more than other crown types.
Cost range: $1,500 to $2,500
Dental crowns cost anywhere from $500 to $2,500 per tooth, depending on the material used, placement, and other underlying oral conditions you might have that could affect the procedure.
Could a dentist offer discounts for multiple crowns? This is unlikely, as the labor involved is still the same for multiple teeth. Plus, overhead costs and the overall inflation of the dental industry in general make it unlikely for you to save much on multiple crowns.
Dental crowns come with other costs associated like materials used, pre-cleaning or screening, x-rays, anesthesia, and follow-up appointments for maintenance.
To get a crown, you might need to visit a dentist for multiple appointments. During the first session, the tooth receiving the crown is examined and prepared. X-rays are taken of the teeth and jawbone surrounding it, and a root canal or filling procedure is done before the crown is placed. These pre-crown procedures could increase your dental crown costs.
A dentist will first file down a tooth on all sides before implanting a crown, regardless of how minor or severe the damage is. This makes space for the crown itself, but the amount of tooth that needs to get filed away depends on the type of crown itself.
What if decay is severe enough that a dentist doesn’t need to file, but there isn’t much support for the crown to sit? Here, you might see dentists use filling to build up enough of the tooth to fit a crown in situations where decay is severe.
Next, a putty is used to make a copy or impression of the tooth receiving the crown. This ensures that your crown won’t affect the way you bite down. During this visit, a dentist will place a temporary crown to cover and protect the filed-down tooth until they place your permanent crown.
During your second visit, the dentist places the real crown on your tooth after they remove the temporary crown. Sometimes, they’ll apply a local anesthetic to numb the area before fusing the permanent crown.
Dental crowns fix damaged teeth and prevent further damage, which can avoid infections and other complications. For this reason, dental crown costs are worth it because they protect your health and are also very durable and long-lasting procedures.
On average, crowns can last between five and 15 years, depending on the material used. It’s vital to continue brushing and flossing your crowns, as this will extend the lifespan of your piece. On the other hand, certain habits can damage or shorten your crown’s lifespan, like:
While crowns themselves do not necessarily need any special attention, the gums underneath them still do to gain protection from gum disease or gingivitis. Flossing, brushing, and using mouthwash are still necessary, even when you have crowns.
Dental crowns last up to 15 years, as long as you continue a healthy oral regimen that includes regular brushing and flossing. While dental crown costs aren’t cheap, the long-lasting nature of the procedure makes it worth it in the long run.
Dental crowns are a common procedure with more benefits than risks. With that said, there are possible side effects that are important to note before getting the procedure completed.
Sometimes, it is possible for the cement holding a crown in place to wash out under the crown and loosen it. Not only does this cause tons of discomfort, but it also allows bacteria to leak in and cause decay to the tooth that remains.
Crowns can also chip or crack, especially if they are made of resin or porcelain. Small chips can usually be rectified and remain in the mouth, but dental crowns may need to be replaced if the chip is too large to be corrected.
A newly placed crown can feel a bit sensitive after the anesthesia starts to wear off. If the crown tooth still has a nerve in it, you may experience a heightened sense of hot or cold from iced or warm beverages. This is common and usually subsides over time. Using toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help.
If you feel sensitivity from biting down, this is likely due to the crown being placed too high on the tooth. This can be easily fixed; let your dental professional know.
Because of improper fit or a lack of cement, it is possible for a crown to actually fall off. You’ll want to visit your dentist’s office immediately to get it replaced, and they’ll also be able to give you specific instructions for what to do in the meantime.
If you get a metal crown, it’s possible to have an allergic reaction. This is most common if you have a nickel allergy. Allergic reactions to dental crowns can also occur from porcelain pieces.
You might notice a dark line appearing at the bottom of the crown where it meets the gums. This happens if you get a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown: What you see is the metal poking out from under the white part of the tooth.
There are several alternatives to dental crowns that might be less expensive depending on the specific dental issue you're dealing with. Keep in mind that the best treatment option can vary depending on the condition of the tooth, the location in the mouth, and other individual factors.
Some alternatives include dental fillings, dental bonding, and dental veneers.
If you don’t have insurance, you don’t need to sacrifice your oral health. Dental care helps you avoid infections, maintain a confident smile, and protect yourself from more serious dental health conditions down the line. Specifically, a tooth crown can save you from needing a tooth extraction or dentures in the future.
The good news? If you don’t have insurance, you have an affordable option to access a dental crown procedure without the astronomical dental crown costs.
Another great way to save some money on dental care is by going to a nearby university, college, or dentistry clinic with a dental office open to the public. Dentists need to practice their profession somewhere, and these places are where they can gain real-world experience with real patients.
The reason that dental schools can offer such low prices is that the students themselves don’t make any money on their services. This means that in most circumstances, you only actually pay for the cost of materials.
And while you run the risk of low-quality care since the students are still practicing, don’t worry: the students are supervised by medical professionals. The overseeing licensed professional will ensure you’re still getting high-quality care.
You might also be able to get some discount dental payment plans at your local provider. With these, you’ll receive a card that you can show each time you receive a treatment to receive discounts on care. In exchange, you’ll pay a monthly fee.
It’s sort of like insurance, but the main difference is that you can only go to the provider in-network. Often, this means that you can only visit one specific dentist to get discounts on your care.
A flexible savings account (FSA) lets you set aside some of your monthly income for health expenses without having to pay taxes on your withdrawals, as long as they’re used for eligible expenses. You could use your FSA to cover dental procedures; however, keep in mind that annual maximums are under $3,000 and you have to reimburse your account within a set period of time.
A health savings account (HSA) is also tax-advantaged and meant for people with high-deductible insurance plans. It has a higher maximum annual contribution between $4,000 and $8,000 depending on your familial status, and no deadline for you to reimburse your withdrawals.
Most dental offices offer payment plans where you can make monthly payments toward the cost of your dental crown procedure. So if your total cost came to around $3,000 let’s say, you might be able to access a payment plan where you pay $300 monthly for the next ten months.
While this might feel less burdensome than a lump-sum payment, you won’t save any money in the long run with this option.
Medicare is a federal healthcare insurance program for people over the age of 65. With that said, Medicare does not cover most dental care, including crowns. The only exception is that Medicare Part A will pay for dental services that are necessary within a hospital as a part of your stay, even though it doesn’t technically cover dental care.
Medicaid is a health insurance resource for children and adults with limited income or resources. While services vary by state, most allow children to receive comprehensive dental care, including crowns.
Unfortunately, only about half of the states allow adults to receive comprehensive care. Either way, it’s always worth seeing if either of these plans might be able to benefit you in regards to getting the low-cost dental care that you need.
Dental crowns are a common treatment for damaged or decayed teeth that act as caps on the tooth to protect against infection, prevent further damage, and fix underlying problems. Caps can be made of a wide range of different materials, varying in price depending on durability and quality.
Insurance can cover a major portion of the cost of crowns, but without insurance, dental crown costs can set you back over a thousand dollars. Plus, some health insurance plans charge high deductibles that dwindle the security of the coverage it’s supposed to offer in the first place!
Sources:
Dental Crowns: What Are They, Types, Procedure & Care | Cleveland Clinic
