A dental crown, or cap, is a custom-made restoration that covers the entire visible surface of a damaged tooth. Dentists use crowns to restore a tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance, often after a root canal procedure, when a tooth is severely decayed, or when a large filling has failed. The choice of provider and treatment method influences the outcome and experience. Understanding where to have this procedure performed requires looking at the clinician’s specialization, the technology available, and the financial implications.
General Dentist Versus Specialist
The majority of straightforward crown placements are routinely and successfully handled by a general dentist. A general dentist is a primary care provider who has the necessary training and experience to prepare the tooth, take impressions, and place the final restoration in most standard cases. They are qualified to manage simple restorations on single teeth that do not involve complex bite or gum issues. For many patients, starting with their established general dentist is the most convenient path for a new crown.
When a case is more complex, a referral to a prosthodontist may be appropriate. Prosthodontists are dental specialists who complete an additional three years of post-doctoral training focused exclusively on the restoration and replacement of teeth, including full-mouth reconstructions and difficult bite problems. This advanced training equips them to manage situations like extensive tooth wear, severe aesthetic demands on front teeth, or crowns related to complex implant or bridge work. If the patient has a history of failed crowns, a prosthodontist’s specialized expertise can be beneficial.
Treatment Method and Location Choices
The physical location where the crown is fabricated often determines the timeline and convenience of the procedure. Traditionally, getting a crown requires at least two appointments spread over several weeks. During the first visit, the tooth is prepared and an impression is taken before a temporary acrylic crown is cemented in place to protect the prepared tooth structure. This impression is then sent to an off-site dental laboratory, where technicians fabricate the permanent crown from materials like porcelain, zirconia, or metal alloys. The second appointment is for the removal of the temporary crown and the cementation of the final restoration.
A growing alternative is the single-visit crown, available at offices equipped with Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC) or similar Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology. With this method, the tooth is prepared, digitally scanned using an intraoral camera, and the crown is designed and milled from a ceramic block right in the office. This process eliminates the need for physical impressions, a temporary crown, and the wait time for an external lab, allowing the final crown to be placed during the same appointment. However, this method is typically limited to all-ceramic materials and may not be suitable for every complex case.
Dental Tourism
An alternative location choice is dental tourism, which involves traveling abroad to countries where the cost of dental procedures is significantly lower. Patients can sometimes save 50% to 70% on the total cost of a crown compared to prices in their home country. While cost savings are a significant draw, this option carries inherent risks, including variability in quality of care, differences in materials used, and a lack of continuity of care if a complication arises after returning home. Potential savings must be weighed against logistical challenges and the difficulty of securing local follow-up treatment.
Navigating Cost and Insurance Coverage
The financial aspect of where you get a crown is influenced heavily by your insurance policy and the provider’s network status. Crowns are typically classified as a major restorative procedure by dental insurance carriers. This often means the patient is responsible for a larger portion of the expense, with coverage commonly set at approximately 50% of the procedure’s cost after any yearly deductible is met. Most dental plans also enforce an annual maximum benefit, often ranging from $1,000 to $2,500, which limits the total amount the insurance company will pay in a given year.
Choosing an in-network provider, who has a contract with your insurance plan, generally results in lower out-of-pocket costs because the provider agrees to accept a negotiated fee. Out-of-network providers are not bound by these fee schedules, meaning you may be responsible for the difference between the dentist’s full fee and what the insurance company pays, which can be substantial. To avoid unexpected costs, requesting a pre-treatment estimate from the dental office is a necessary step. This formal document outlines the proposed treatment plan and the estimated patient responsibility based on your specific insurance benefits, allowing you to compare the financial impact of different providers and locations.