Dental crowns are a commonly used, cost-effective means of restoring a damaged tooth. The reasons to use a dental crown are multiple and varied: a cracked tooth that can’t be adequately bonded, a root canal that has changed the shape of a decayed tooth, or even a stained tooth that cannot be lightened – dental crowns can fix all of these problems and more.
Composed of a range of materials, dental crowns can vary somewhat in price, as can the related procedures associated with repairing the damaged tooth before capping it. While it is important to have a conversation with your dentist about your own individual case for the best estimate of what a dental crown might cost you, the following article offers some considerations that come into play when adding up the total cost of a permanent dental crown.
Types of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns can be made out of gold, porcelain, or porcelain in combination with metal; each option has its own benefits and drawbacks, as well as its own price point. Before choosing a type of dental crown, it is important to speak openly and honestly with your dentist about your own preferences surrounding aesthetics and pricing.
If the crown is going to be placed in the back of your mouth where it will rarely be seen by anyone but your dentist, you can and should opt for the strongest, most durable and most cost-effective option, as the appearance of the crown isn’t an important consideration.
If the crown will be placed in a visible part of your mouth, you should talk about the extent to which appearance is important to you. Is it necessary that this crown look just like your other teeth with no indications that it isn’t natural? If so, the price might be somewhat higher. If this doesn’t matter to you as much as the price, you might settle on an option that has good aesthetic properties with some minor drawbacks, such as the porcelain on metal crowns that can sometimes show a little metal at the gumline.
In discussing these preferences with your dentist and weighing the benefits of each type of dental crown against its price point, she or he will be able to give you an individualized recommendation that doesn’t break the bank.
Overall Cost and Other Considerations
All told, dental crowns typically cost between $1,000 to $3,500. The total cost depends not only on the types of materials used, but also on the level of expertise of the dentist that will be placing it. Costs can vary widely by region, as well.
While dental crowns can be pricey, they are also built to last – usually around ten to fifteen years. Additionally, dental crowns are also often (but not always) covered by dental insurance, especially if the crown serves a healing or preventative function rather than an aesthetic one. A crown to cover a highly stained tooth would likely not be covered by insurance, for example, but a crown over a decayed tooth that has lost function likely would be covered.
For more information on what your dental crown might cost, please call our office today to set up a one-on-one consultation.