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Dental Crown Cost

How Much Does a Dental Crown Cost?
 
average cost Range: $500-$3,000
 



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Root Canal

Dental Veneer

Dental Implants

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Typical costs:
  • Dental crowns (also called caps) cost $500-$3,000 a tooth, depending on materials, complexity, location, and the dentist's training and experience. Insurance may pay part of a crown's cost if it's obviously needed for medical reasons, but usually crowns are not covered.
  • Crowns are made of gold, porcelain, resin or porcelain-fused-to-non-precious-metal; AboutCosmeticDentristry.com lists the pros and cons of each.
  • AboutCosmeticDentistry.com estimates porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns average $580-$860 while gold ones run $600-$1,050. An all-porcelain or resin crown requires a higher level of skill, takes time and usually costs more.
What should be included:
  • A tooth-shaped cap covers the entire surface of a tooth, adding strength, durability and stability. This usually requires two office visits; first to prepare the tooth, make an impression and install a temporary crown. The impression is sent to a dental laboratory to create the permanent crown, which is installed during the second appointment.
Additional costs:
  • There's often an initial office visit ($65-$102) and X-rays ($13-$135)??--average price estimates are from BracesInfo.com.
Discounts:
  • Dental college clinics may offer reduced rates for services by supervised students or faculty; check DentalSite.com for school locations.
  • Some dental groups pay partial fees for low-income patients; the American Dental Association lists state associations.
Shopping for a dental crown:
  • Check the American Dental Association for members in your area. If you have dental insurance, the company will list approved dentists. eHow gives tips for finding a good dentist, including questions to ask.
  • If calling to check prices, use the exact American Dental Association code number. For example, a crown cast in gold is ADA 02790. There are 16 different codes for types of crowns.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
 
Article updated November 2006
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Recent Posts
Amount: $0.00 not covered by insurance need 12 crowns
Posted by: jlynn in willimantic, CT.Purchased: February, 2008
Which Tooth: topsType of Crown: unknown
would like to know if i can get this done cheaper some place else as i have alot of work that needs to be done.
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Amount: $600.00 not covered by insurance biotemps
Posted by: Evelyn George in Freehold, NJ.Purchased: January, 2007
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Amount: $1,700.00 not covered by insurance Two Crowns & Resin Fill In
Posted by: Live and Learn - Brighton, CO in Brighton, CO.Purchased: January, 2008
Which Tooth: 30, 18 and six across frontType of Crown: 1 - porcelain; 1 porcelain and metal
I was caught by great surprise to learn my insurance capped out at $1,000. Each crown was approx $1,000 and one had to be built up at $250 - ridiculous. My front teeth were worn from brushing and had grooves, so he filled the grooves in with resin - no drilling, no numbing, but charged the price of a regular filling. I did receive a discount for that. Nevertheless, my remaining portion is about $1700.00. I'm devasated as I was not prepared for that large amount. I think they should advise their clients prior of costs to be incurred as a routine practice. Live and learn.
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Amount: $1,200.00 not covered by insurance Caught off gaurd
Posted by: Itpays to shoparound1st. in Seminole, FL.Purchased: February, 2007
Which Tooth: top 4th from frontType of Crown: Porcelin
At 47 yrs old my teeth are shells filled with.. fillings. This tooth had a fracture and was grey.
The Dr and Asst. spent approx 50 min. I was in the chair 1.5 Hrs. At the end I was shown the bill my part $1200. No discussion up front, The
insurance "Covered" $300. Big deal... I was forced to pay before I left because of the "lab costs"..The Dr also wanted to remove a tooth
opposite of a missing tooth, saying it was moving and had/would caused bone loss in the upper jaw.
I refused to pull a healthy tooth. It would have doubled my bill and Id be homeless about now.
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Amount: $0.00 not covered by insurance can dentists be trusted?
Posted by: Kay in Rocklin, CA.Purchased: 2008
My previous two dentists looked me right in the eye and said all my back molars should be replaced with crowns because "after all, you have insurance"(!). None of the molars were causing any problem, by the way. Needless to say, I'm with another dentist now. However, he is telling me that I have a cavity in a back molar that has too many fillings so a crown is necessary. I don't really trust him ... or any dentist anymore. How can a patient know if there really is a cavity, and if the tooth is really unable to take another filling?
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Amount: $4,300.00 not covered by insurance RIDICULOUS INCURANCE
Posted by: Desperate to save my teeth in San Marcos, TX.Purchased: March, 2008
Which Tooth: Several back upper & lowerType of Crown: Porcelain
When is someone going to change the limits that Dental Insurance pays? My plan pays up to $1500.00 per year - Big whooptidoo! I need 5 crowns right now since I have fractured 5 of my teeth - don;t know how that happened - maybe my age (46) or the fact that sometimes I clench while I am sleeping. I almost passed out with shock when the dentist told me I needed "5 crowns and quickly! Dental insurane hasn't changed since the 70's - I think it's high time it did!!!! Afterall paying a premium each month and then only being covered up to $1500.00 per year is really absurd!
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Amount: $0.00 not covered by insurance crowns and posts
Posted by: shirley in FLL, FL, FL.Purchased: 2008
Which Tooth: top; front & one next to front-Type of Crown:
I've just been told that I need to do posts and crowns and teeth pulling on top front tooth and tooth next to front tooth.
I'm going to be told my options.
Anyone had this done yet?
Did you choose right option?
Were you given many options?

thanks.
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Amount: $1,100.00 not covered by insurance dental crown cost
Posted by: henry in buffalo grove, IL.Purchased: April, 2008
Which Tooth: upper molarType of Crown: 3/4 cast high noble
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Amount: $800.00 not covered by insurance How long do crowns last
Posted by: Jan in Wilkes Barre, PA.Purchased: 2001
Which Tooth: allType of Crown: porclein
My dentist, who did my crowns,told me that if I had my teeth cleaned professionally twice/year, the crowns would last into my 80's(I am 60). I had my teeth cleaned every six months & everything was fine. Then He retired.

When I went to have my teeth cleaned, the dentist who took over the practice told me crowns only last 5 years. He also told me I needed a root canal & new crown on one tooth.
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Amount: $550.00 not covered by insurance Dental Crown
Posted by: Nikki in Mullica Hill, NJ.Purchased: May, 2008
Which Tooth: left molarType of Crown:
I went to my dentist because I had a filling that seemed to be warn down, I found out that I needed a crown, and could not do anymore fillings in that tooth. Needless to say, my insurance covers upto 1500 a year. so of course it would cost more than that and my out of pocket would be over $500. I asked to set my teeth cleaning and they told me that I used all of my coverage and would have to pay $243.00 for that. I thought 1 cleaning a year was covered, for preventative measures. what is this crap, I think this dentist is ripping people off, while you are in the chair, they find out how much coverage you have left and try to get you to do the work right there, but you must pay immediatly,so billing done. I am going to contact BBB on them, something is not right
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Amount: $850.00 not covered by insurance Dental Crown
Posted by: Roger in Fort Pierce, FL.Purchased: May, 2008
Which Tooth: No 19Type of Crown:
This was for a root canal. I still have over $900 for the crown and lab and am told that I need two more crowns and a bridge totaling over $3300. Mexican dentist here I come.
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Amount: $1,173.00 not covered by insurance Four Crowns
Posted by: Justin in Phoenix in los algodones mexico, Other.Purchased: May, 2008
Which Tooth: 4 teeth lower jawType of Crown: porcelain
Los Algodones Mexico, Dr Gabriel Garcia. Speaks perfect english, clean Air conditioned office. Modern new equipment. You cannot tell the difference between here and in the states.Except for the price. Its sad that I must spend my money in Mexico for dental work. I was quoted at my local dentist $5200. I got it in Mexico for $1173 cash and that included a cleaning and two fillings. I'm am super satisfied with the quality of the work. Dont let Mexico scare you the majority of dentists are trained in USA and use the same equipment as US dentists.
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Amount: $859.00 not covered by insurance Crowns
Posted by: Rick in Charlotte, NC.Purchased: 2008
Which Tooth: Type of Crown: PFM
Hi, I am a general dentist and found this site by accident. A couple comments and suggestions. Dentists are people. Most are honest some are not. To find one rely on referral from friends you trust. If you are not comfortable do yourself and the dentist a favor try someone else. Get a second opinion. Dentists have different philosophies concerning crowns. You can tell yourself if a tooth needs a crown generally. If the tooth is half filling it might need a crown. If it is 2/3 or more it does. Rarely must it have the crown today. If you feel pressured go somewhere else. A good dentist will want you to be sure prior to treatment. A good dentist will tell you the cost prior to treatment. That is good for you and the dentist. And one last thing some mexican dentists are good. Some are not just like us. Generally you get what you pay for in the world.
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Amount: $250.00 not covered by insurance Crown
Posted by: Lesley in Matamoros, Other.Purchased: June, 2008
Which Tooth: molarType of Crown: stainless steel
Went to Mexico, paid $250 for a stainless steel crown, post and crown. He charges $35 for fillings. I have gone to him for about eight years and am very satisfied with him.
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Amount: $500.00 not covered by insurance Dental Crown
Posted by: John Ekhoff in San Antonio, TX.Purchased: 2008
Which Tooth: TwoType of Crown: Porcelain
I went to an American corporate dentist. He said I needed four crowns with root canals and three fillings. Total cost $9200.00. Checked with my wife's dentist in Athens Greece, he thought maybe 750 Euros. We went to Greece. The greek dentist replaced two existing crowns filled four teeth and pulled one tooth he said was not worth saving. The american dentist wanted to do a root canal and cap on the uselees tooth. Total cost of Greek dentist $751.00 plus airfare for for three of $3030.00. Total savings $5,366.00 over the american corporate dentist. Lessons learned, look for a dentist with a small staff maybe himself or his wife. My greek dentist was a father and son operation without any other staff. The american corporate dentist had a huge staff including, receptionists office workers and technicians. In Greece need an x-ray go to a separate x-ray technician and pay 30 euros for a full mouth Xray.
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Amount: $860.00 not covered by insurance dental crown
Posted by: Beth in Gilbert, AZ.Purchased: June, 2008
Which Tooth: molarType of Crown: porcelein
Looking at x-rays, dentist said I had a large area of decay on a molar and needed a filling. I'm in the chair, so numb I basically can't talk, and he drills away all the decay. THEN he shows me the x-ray and explains that because the area was so large and so close to the root, I really should have a root canal and get a crown rather than just a filling. HE HAD SEEN THE SIZE AND LOCATION WHEN HE MADE THE APPOINTMENT! After hearing that an all-porcelein crown ("the only kind we do, because they look more natural") would cost 860 after insurance, I opted for the filling. The dentist and assistant acted like I was a crazy person who had just decided to run around with a tooth open to the pulp cavity - they warned me to be "super careful" with the tooth, not to chew on that side, and urged me to contact them immediately if I felt any pain when the numbness wore off.
It may be true that I need a crown and root canal, and I may be risking pain and suffering by opting for the filling, but I really felt like they were hog-tying me by dropping that on me at that point. If/when I get more work done, I'm going to find another dentist.
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Amount: $0.00 not covered by insurance crown
Posted by: letestory in Austin, TX.Purchased: 2008
Which Tooth: frontType of Crown: any
Can any one give me the contact of dentist in mexico need to do 4 crowns
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Amount: $1,879.00 not covered by insurance root canal and dental crown
Posted by: Gary in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Other.Purchased: June, 2008
Which Tooth: molarType of Crown: gold
I spent $1000.00 for a root canal ($760 paid by insurance) and $879 for the crown (50% paid by insurance, but up to a $1500 per-year overal limit)
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Amount: $17,000.00 not covered by insurance Eight crowns
Posted by: Cianne in Chicago, IL.Purchased: July, 2008
Which Tooth: 8 top front teethType of Crown: porcelain over metal
My insurance covers $1,000 per year. The above posters should not blame the dental insurance company for the coverage not going up. They should speak to their employer about increasing the benefit of the plan. Unfortunately, my company cannot afford to increase our benefit, which has been the same for about 20 years. My dentist is skilled and caring, and there's a good reason to do all this work, but, man, this is a huge dent in the pocketbook.
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Amount: $2,940.00 not covered by insurance Cerec - Single visit restorations
Posted by: Louie in Eden Prairie, MN.Purchased: July, 2008
Which Tooth: 8,9 & 12, 13 crownsType of Crown: 3/4 porc/ceramic
I am retired and 67 yrs. old. I have spent a fortune on my teeth over the years and it never stops. 3/4 crowns were $1200. each and fillings white were 217. and 323. Do these Cerec crowns hold up for as long as the old gold crowns?
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Amount: $0.00 not covered by insurance I have dual insurance coverage
Posted by: cabgirl in San Jose, CA.Purchased: July, 2008
Which Tooth: 19Type of Crown: porcelain ?
I just got Delta Dental and basically it's an insurance discounter. For instance, if you want braces, it'll cost $2700. Visits are $5 and I believe a cleaning is like $20. So today I found out that I needed a root canal. I might not have to pay for it at all because I believe I get the DD discount and they can get my deductible ($1k per year) from Blue Shield. The office manager said it was a good idea to have 2 and my 2 insurance complements each other! DD is $97/year. Check it out...http://www.deltadentalins.com/ca_indiv/my_benefits.html

The other quote I got was $5k for a veneer instead of a crown.
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Amount: $3,318.00 not covered by insurance Root Canal and Crown gone bad
Posted by: Ro in Tarpon Springs, FL.Purchased: August, 2008
Which Tooth: #28Type of Crown: Porcelain
Had a root canal, post & crown by a dentist I truly trusted & liked in Palm Harbor Fl. Four years later the tooth starts hurting bad. It turned out I had to go to the Endo who discovered I had a few roots in the tooth that were left undone or unseen and the tooth was not sealed properly. First time cost me cash $1700.00 second time cost me 418.00 cash and my dental insurance kicked in the 1100.00. Then I change dentists go to another for general maintance & bridges. I thought I could trust this one in Clearwater Fl. He was OK but his lab did really nasty looking bridges with the metal showing way to much. I expressed my concern and was told that is how they are done now a days. Looking at co workers who have beautiful smiles theirs look lovely. I asked for references but they only worked two days aweek and I couldn't get off work to go to those so I choose another from a reference. I am so now not trusting of dentists. Its a money making business in my eyes. Now I know why people just say pull the tooth out who could afford so many mistakes from so many dentists?
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Amount: $0.00 not covered by insurance $875 for each crown plus one pre-formed post/core
Posted by: Confused in Liverpool in Liverpool, NY.Purchased: 2008
Which Tooth: 13&14,4Type of Crown: porcelain fused to N
I was given a proposed bill for 3 crowns and a post and was floored by it. The work is set to be done in October. I am 82 years old but am told I look much younger, The dental hygenist said my teeth are in very good condition and 3 crowns are not bad. The charge for each crown will be $875. The post will be $210.
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Amount: $5,000.00 not covered by insurance dental crowns
Posted by: Bill Edge in Hayward, CA.Purchased: September, 2008
Which Tooth: molarsType of Crown: porc/gold
Previous dentist said I need 2 crowns and 4 fillings $3000 since I had no ins. Found ins and had another exam, different dentist She said I need 5 new crowns and 2 old crowns replaced.Plus 2 cavities $5000. She simply doesn't want to do the fillings. She can make 4 to 5 times the money with crowns. They also charge $125 per crown extra because there are 7 of them. $70 per crown for molars. And $150 for gold.
My paln is to have my previous dentist do the fillings this new destitist doesn't want to do. And let the new dentist do the 2 both agree on.

Same think last time I had ins. they want to pust the limits and do the things the most expensive way for the patient.
U simply can't afford to had my teeth fixed her way.
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