A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, strength, size, and appearance. This restorative procedure is frequently recommended for teeth that are severely decayed, fractured, or weakened after a root canal. The price is highly variable, depending on the material, the procedure’s complexity, and the location of the dental practice. The overall cost is determined by the dentist’s fee and the extent of your dental insurance coverage.
The Average Cost Range for Dental Crowns
The cost of a dental crown before insurance typically ranges from $500 to over $3,500 per tooth, dictated primarily by the material chosen. Different materials offer trade-offs between aesthetic quality, durability, and cost.
Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) crowns are a mid-range option, generally costing between $500 and $2,500 without insurance. These crowns use a metal alloy base for strength, covered with tooth-colored porcelain. While PFM offers a balance of durability and aesthetics, a gray line can sometimes appear at the gum line as the gum recedes.
All-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns, often used for front teeth, range from $800 to $3,500 because they mimic the natural translucency of tooth enamel. These materials provide the best cosmetic result but may be less durable than metal-based options, especially for patients who grind their teeth.
Zirconia, a newer ceramic, offers high strength and natural appearance, making it suitable for both front and back teeth. Zirconia crowns typically fall within a price range of $800 to $3,000, and are resistant to wear, making them a popular choice for molars. Metal alloy crowns, including gold, palladium, or base metals, are historically the longest-lasting option, costing between $600 and $3,000.
Gold crowns are priced higher due to the commodity cost, though base metal alloys like nickel-chromium are more affordable. These metal crowns are durable and require less natural tooth structure to be removed. Despite their strength, their metallic color means they are reserved for molars or teeth out of sight.
Key Factors Influencing the Final Price
Beyond material selection, several variables affect the final out-of-pocket price, often related to procedure complexity and practice location. Geographic location is a substantial factor, with dental fees higher in major metropolitan areas and coastal cities. This difference is due to higher overhead costs, such as rent and staff wages, which are passed on to the patient.
The condition of the tooth requiring the crown also impacts the overall bill because the crown’s price does not cover all associated procedures. If the tooth has extensive decay, a root canal must be performed before the crown is placed, adding a separate fee. A severely damaged tooth may also require a core buildup, which involves placing restorative material to create a stable base.
The experience and type of dental professional performing the work also contribute to price variation. A specialist, such as a Prosthodontist, who focuses on restoration and replacement, generally charges higher fees than a general practitioner. This increased cost reflects the specialist’s advanced training and expertise.
Navigating Dental Insurance and Out-of-Pocket Costs
Dental insurance coverage is a primary determinant of the patient’s final out-of-pocket expense, as most plans categorize crowns as “Major Restorative Care.” This classification results in a lower percentage of coverage compared to basic procedures like cleanings or fillings. The standard coverage rate for major procedures is commonly set at 50% of the cost, meaning the patient pays the remaining half.
This 50% coverage only applies after the patient has met their annual deductible, a predetermined amount paid before insurance benefits begin. A significant constraint is the annual maximum benefit, the total dollar amount the insurance company will pay for dental care within a year. This maximum is frequently between $1,000 and $2,000, a limit a single crown procedure can easily exceed, leaving the patient to pay the rest directly.
Out-of-pocket costs are influenced by the specific language of the plan, as some policies may only cover the cost of the least expensive, clinically appropriate material. If a patient chooses a more expensive option, the insurance company will still only reimburse up to the cost of the cheaper alternative. Uninsured patients or those who have exhausted their annual maximum may utilize dental savings plans, which offer discounted rates from participating dentists for a yearly fee.
Alternatives and Cost-Saving Considerations
For individuals seeking a less expensive restorative option, procedural alternatives depend on the extent of the tooth damage. Inlays and onlays, often called partial crowns, are laboratory-made restorations that treat damage too extensive for a traditional filling but do not require complete tooth coverage. Because they preserve more natural tooth structure, onlays are often less expensive than a full crown, generally ranging from $650 to $1,200.
If the cost of a crown is prohibitive, several strategies can reduce the expense. Patients can seek treatment at accredited dental schools, where students perform procedures under the supervision of experienced faculty, resulting in lower fees. Another approach is to request quotes from multiple dental offices, as the price for the same procedure can vary considerably.
For patients who require a crown immediately but cannot afford the upfront payment, many dental offices offer third-party patient financing plans. These options make treatment more accessible, although they often involve interest charges. The least costly alternative for a severely damaged tooth may be extraction, but this requires replacing the missing tooth to prevent future alignment issues.