Dental Crown Cost: Your Ultimate Guide
Advancements in the dental industry paved the way for faster and more efficient dental crown procedures. But these developments were accompanied by changes in dental crown cost.
With such a demand for an effective and long-lasting tooth restoration option, many still choose a tooth crown despite its seemingly high price.
So, it begs the question:
How much does a tooth crown cost? And is it truly worth your money?
Let’s find out!
What are dental crowns?
A dental crown is used to encase the upper gum line portion of a damaged tooth. It serves as a protective cover for a tooth that may have been damaged by cavities or an accident.
While it’s widely used for dental restoration, getting dental crowns may also have cosmetic purposes.
Cosmetic dentists recommend these tooth caps to restore damaged or decayed teeth and enhance their color, shape, and size.
The procedure can be a bit pricey, given the process and technology required to produce a tooth crown.
In the past, fabricating and placing a dental crown would take many trips to the dental office. Thanks to 3D imaging technology and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technologies, your dentist can now precisely take teeth measurements, instantly send those data to a fabrication machine, and produce a crown in just one day.
State-of-the-art crowns can be manufactured with an industrially produced core of dense-sintered ceramic and high-purity alumina. An outer layer of porcelain is also added to the ceramic crown by hand to make it not only stronger but also natural-looking.
But of course, the mouth plays a significant role in our daily lives. Its complex system can be subject to all sorts of activities that can seriously damage your teeth. These actions involve eating sugary foods, regularly swimming in chlorine-filled waters, drinking too much coffee, and overbrushing.
When taken care of properly, a dental crown can last up to 25 to 30 years.
How much does a dental crown cost?
The material you choose for your dental crown will determine the cost of the procedure. Deciding which crown type to get depends on your needs and objectives. If it’s for medical reasons (e.g., protecting a weak tooth or covering a dental implant), any crown type will do.
For cosmetic reasons, most dentists will recommend ceramic or porcelain-based crowns due to their natural color, durability, and retention.
In California, for instance, porcelain dental crowns can cost around $800-$3000 whereas gold teeth caps can be anywhere around $600-$2500.
The location, shape, and size may also factor in its pricing, including additional fees for other services such as examinations, x-rays, and other necessary prep work or further procedures. (e.g., root canal)
Here are the possible services and their respective estimated prices:
| Service | Purpose | Cost Range |
| Dental Examination | Plays an essential role in detecting problems early so treatment is likely to be more effective, simpler, and less costly. | $60 - $200 |
| X-ray | Helps dentists see a patient’s overall teeth condition, including roots, jaw placement, and facial bone composition. It is also used to find and treat dental problems early in their development. | $25 - $60 |
| Dental CBCT exams - Dental Cone-beam Computed Tomography | Provides a fast, non-invasive way of answering several clinical questions related to your oral condition. It is used for dental implant planning, visualization of abnormal teeth, jaw and face evaluation, cleft palate assessment, dental caries (cavities) diagnosis, endodontic (root canal) diagnosis, and dental trauma diagnosis. | $150-$750 |
| Diagnostic casts | Used as a guide in the application of corrective or restorative dentistry. Dental professionals often refer to them as study models. Orthodontists use diagnostic casts to visualize the patient’s current and adjusting bite | $50-$300 |
| Temporary filling (For protective restoration) | Temporarily restores and protects a damaged tooth for as long as it takes for your dentist to replace it with a permanent filling | $100-$250 |
| Root canal | Performed to remove soft tissues inside a tooth. | $1,000-$1,600 (Depending on tooth position) |
Note: A root canal is not a prerequisite to a dental crown but is typically recommended when a tooth has been infected or damaged to the point that the contents of the pulp chamber are exposed to all the things like bacteria.
The abovementioned services may not be the only ones that your dentist might recommend. To ensure you understand your tooth cap procedure, always consult your attending prosthodontist.
Dental crowns cost with and without insurance
In most cases, dental crowns may only be covered by insurance plans if the procedure calls for restorative dental care—meaning it’s medically necessary.
What if the crown restoration is purely cosmetic? Will it still be covered by your insurance coverage?
The short answer is probably not. Again, the cost of installing a tooth crown without dental coverage may vary based on the tooth cap material and the services mentioned earlier.
Without insurance, the average cost for your dental crown will be about $1,000. With insurance, however, it may cost you as little as $300 or as much as $1,000.
Some dentists offer payment plans or personal memberships to help you get big discounts on preventive care treatments such as tooth crowns. For instance, a preventive care membership lets you save at least $514 a year on treatments such as cleanings, emergency exams, fillings, etc.
To get the best value out of these special offers, talk to your dentist about what financing options they have for their patients.
SAVE 25 % ON CROWN COST BY JOINING OUR MEMBERSHIP
Are crowns worth their price?
Longevity and reliability have always been indicators of a dental procedure’s success. And to ask whether a tooth crown can live up to its promise and price point, it’s important to understand what the numbers say.
Based on a 2017 literature review entitled The Longevity of Restorations, 96% of gold restorations lasted over 10 years, 90% of porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns lasted over 10 years and 75-80% of ceramic crowns lasted over 10 years.
A recent study suggested that a 96 % satisfaction rate was observed among parents whose children underwent a crown procedure called the “Hall Technique.” (The method of managing decayed primary molars by cementing preformed metal crowns)
With the global dental crown (including bridges) market expected to balloon from $3.96 billion in 2022 to $5.40 billion in 2026, its demand might usher further scientific advancements in dental restorations. Therefore, the cost of tooth crowns would always be worth the trouble.
Need Tooth Crowns? Consult our Dentist
Oral health is one of your best investments in life. That said, you shouldn’t make healthcare decisions based on cost, but rather on their benefits. If it will give you peace of mind, you don’t have to think twice.
The good news is that you have people to help you with your paying decisions—dental professionals who will focus on your needs and not on your bill. It’s just a matter of finding the right dentist to guide you along the way.
If you’re living in Culver City California or its adjacent cities (Marina Del Rey, Venice, Inglewood, Playa Vista, Del Ray, & Palms), look no further.
Book an appointment now to get the best advice on your tooth crowns.
