How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost?
Fishers Dental crowns are a great way to protect and restore damaged teeth. Depending on a multitude of factors, their cost can vary. Every case is different and the price will reflect that. Typically, having a dental crown placed will cost at least $800 and at most $3,500 though there are certainly exceptions on either side of the price range.
The procedure to place a dental crown is not cheap, but there are options to help make it affordable. Depending on the situation, most dental insurance will help cover the cost of the procedure. If you do not have dental insurance or the treatment is not covered by your insurance policy, several third-party services offer assistance in finding discounts. If you qualify for a monthly payment plan from a financing company, this can be a great way to help you cover the costs associated with having a dental crown placed.
Some crowns are easier to place than others and this will likely affect the cost. The technical requirements of the treatment, expertise and location of the dentist, and training and expertise of the dental laboratory technician will all factor into the overall cost of the procedure.
The single factor that will most affect the cost of having a dental crown placed is the material the crown is made of. Crowns are made from a variety of materials, the most common of which are metals, such as stainless steel and gold, porcelain fused to metal, and all ceramic or all porcelain. Each material or combination of materials has its own benefits and costs associated. Your dentist will help you make the right decision with regards to your specific needs and the cost.
The material your crown will be made of depends on a number of factors: the strength and durability required, restorative space available, and the aesthetic needs. Each material has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Metal Crowns
Gold was once the go to material for dental crowns. With material science improving over the years, gold has fallen off as the predominant material used, but it still has its uses. For patients with problems with bruxism (grinding and clenching) or a strong bite, gold offers incredible strength and durability. Crowns made of all metal are unable to be colored to match the surrounding teeth. Gold crowns may cost as much as $2,500, but other metal alloys may be cheaper than porcelain or ceramic ones.
Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns
Fusing a thin shell of porcelain to a metal core is a popular option. Crowns made this way are strong, durable, and are very like teeth in appearance. Because of the additional thickness of the combined materials, the underlying tooth may need to be filed down significantly in order to accommodate the crown. The most common drawback of crowns made of porcelain and metal is the collar at the bottom of the crown. As gums begin to recede, the metal may show, making the crown obvious. Some patients will later replace a crown of porcelain fused to metal later in life in order to maintain a natural aesthetic. Porcelain fused to metal crowns typically cost between $500 and $1,500.
All Ceramic Crowns
Crowns made entirely of ceramic materials offer a number of advantages over other options. Because they can be very thin, special preparation of the tooth is often unnecessary. Ceramic crowns also allow light to pass through, and so are more aesthetically akin to natural teeth. Their main drawback is the brittleness of the material, and so people with them should take care so as not to crack or break the crown. All ceramic crowns range from $800 to $3,000.