How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost?

What is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is an artificial tooth-shaped cap that is fitted over a weak or decaying tooth. There are a number of reasons dental crowns are used. Some of the most common are to fix a chipped tooth, to prevent grinding due to stress or misalignment, to fix a cavity, or to protect a dental implant.

Crowns are made to mimic the shape, color, and size of natural teeth. They are designed to fit seamlessly in with your smile. They also come in various sizes. Some cover the entire tooth, while some may cover only ¾ of the tooth. Dental crowns can be made with various materials that offer different advantages and disadvantages.

How much Do Dental Crowns Cost?

The average cost of a dental crown ranges anywhere between $500-$3,000 depending on the type of crown. There are 5 types of crowns:

Ceramic: Ceramic crowns, made entirely of ceramic, can easily be color-matched to your existing teeth. Because of this, they are a great choice if you need a crown in the front of your mouth that is visible. This type of crown also has a high resistance to varying temperatures. On average, a ceramic crown costs around $1,300 per tooth.

Porcelain & Metal: Porcelain crowns are made by fusing porcelain to metal. Because of this, they offer the same aesthetic appeal that a ceramic crown does, but are more durable. This type of crown is good for molars or other teeth that experience a lot of pressure or grinding. One downside of porcelain fused to metal is that the porcelain coating can chip off over time, exposing the metal underneath. These range anywhere between $500 to $1,500 per tooth.

Porcelain: Completely porcelain crowns are becoming the most popular. They look very natural and are best for restoring the front teeth. With that being said, they are not nearly as strong as metal crowns and can also be more expensive. A porcelain crown can range anywhere between $800 to $3,000 per tooth.

Gold: Gold crowns, which are often a mixture of copper and other metals, provide great strength and durability. They are not common due to the color, but they can last a very long time if properly cared for. They are most commonly used for the back teeth or molars and cost around $1,500 per tooth.

Zirconia: Zirconia crowns are relatively new. They provide the strength that a metal crown does, with the aesthetics of porcelain or ceramic. The main disadvantage of a zirconia crown is that, because they are so strong, the natural teeth that they bite against can wear down. This type of crown can cost anywhere between $1,000 to $2,000 per tooth.

Does Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?

In most cases, dental insurance does cover crowns, which are medically necessary, but some plans do not. Please call the office to confirm whether or not your insurance will cover all, if not some, of your recommended treatment.

If you are someone who is looking to get a dental crown, reach out to your dentist to come up with a treatment plan.

Related Article: What Are the Types of Dental Crowns?