How Much Does a Tooth Crown Cost? (2024 Analysis)

Dental crowns are one of the most common restoration procedures out there today. In fact, there are approximately 15 million Americans that currently wear crowns for both restoration and cosmetic reasons.  If you’ve recently been told that you need a dental crown to strengthen your teeth or you’re thinking about having them put on to enhance your smile, you may be wondering how much a dental crown costs.

Tooth Crown Cost Factors

The cost of a dental crown can range from $500 to $3,500 per tooth, influenced by several factors:

What Is the Purpose of Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are a type of cap that’s placed on top of a damaged, weakened, or worn-down tooth. Dental crowns are made from a variety of materials, including metal and porcelain, and they’re designed to cover the entire part of the exposed tooth — right down to the gum line. This allows them to become an anatomical part of your natural tooth to return it to its regular functioning state. There are a variety of reasons why people end up needing a dental crown, such as:

• Large cavities. Cavities are essentially bacterial infections that feed off of sugar and produce acid, which leads to demineralization and decay. When cavities grow, they become a serious threat to the tooth’s structure and chewing function, as well as your overall health. If you have a cavity that’s too large for a standard filling, your dentist will likely recommend a dental crown to prevent further damage.
• Large fillings. While fillings are great for preventing further damage, they’re not designed to replace the tooth’s structure. If you require a filling for a cavity that takes up most of your tooth, you’ll likely need a dental crown in addition to saving the remainder of the tooth.
• Severe erosion. People who suffer from acid reflux or GERD — or can’t stay away from sugary food and drinks — will lose significant amounts of enamel due to acid erosion. One of the only ways to fix the issue of erosion and prevent further damage and tooth loss is by having dental crowns put in.

• Loss of enamel due to grinding or clenching. Another cause of enamel loss is mechanical wear and tear — such as that from excessive grinding or bruxism. This leads to the flattening of the natural teeth as the enamel wears down, requiring a dental crown to prevent future damage.
• Cracked teeth. Cracks can occur due to large fillings, heavy clenching, grinding during sleep, or injury. When a tooth cracks, it becomes vulnerable to everything from temperature sensations to bacterial infections. They also compromise the strength of the tooth and its ability to function properly.
• Root canals. Once a tooth undergoes a root canal, it usually needs additional coverage — such as a dental crown. This is because these dental procedures involve removing the nerves below the tooth as well as its blood supply. This inevitably causes the rest of the tooth to become brittle and, therefore, vulnerable to cracking.

How Much Does A Dental Crown Cost?

The average cost of dental crowns can range anywhere between $500 to $3,500— sometimes more, depending on a variety of factors. The most important factor would be the type of dental crown you require, as each is associated with a different price range. Here’s the breakdown:

• Porcelain crowns: Porcelain crowns are among the most popular as they easily mimic the look of natural teeth. They’re also the most expensive — and typically only used for the front teeth. A porcelain crown will range in price between $1,000 and $2,500, averaging $1,300 per crown.
• Zirconia crowns: Zirconia crowns are similar to porcelain as zirconia is a type of ceramic material, only it’s much stronger and won’t cause much wear to the surrounding teeth. Due to its strength, zirconia is used for molar crowns, and they fall in the same price range as porcelain.
• Gold crowns: Gold crowns are considered metal crowns as they’re typically a type of alloy. The cost of a gold crown will vary based on its base alloy metal, which includes nickel-chromium, cobalt-chromium, and nickel-titanium. The cost of gold alloy crowns will range anywhere between $600 and $2,500, with an average cost of $1,300.
• Porcelain fused to metal crowns: Porcelain fused to metal crowns is strong while retaining a natural look. Porcelain fused crowns can be installed anywhere in the mouth, and they cost between $800 and $2,400, with an average of $1,100 per tooth.
• Temporary crowns: In some instances, you may require a temporary crown while your official crowns are being made. Temporary crowns — also referred to as same-day crowns —are made from acrylic resins or composite materials and can cost between $200 and $700, with an average of $450 per crown.

What Else Factors Into Dental Crown Costs?

Dental crown prices also depend on much more than the material it’s made from and whether or not you require a temporary crown for protection. The other factors that come into play — and their average prices — include:

• The initial dental exam: $50-$200
• X-rays: $25-$50
• Cone-beam CT scan: $150-$750
• Diagnostic casts: $50-$300
• Core build-up: $200-$500
• Post and core: $250-$650
• Fillings (if required): $90-$250
• Root canal (if required): $1,000-$1,600

It should be noted that in most cases, dental crowns will only be covered by your insurance if you have a plan that includes major restorative dental care. It’s common for most dental insurance plans to limit coverage to preventative care and basic procedures. However, an insurance company that does cover dental crowns will typically have an annual coverage limit between $1,000 and $1,500, leaving you to pay up to $2,000 out of pocket anyway.

Are You in Need of a Dental Crown?

The cost of a dental crown is undoubtedly pricey, with or without insurance. However, dental crown procedures aren’t something you shouldn’t put off, especially when you have a damaged tooth.   Reach out to the professionals at Wayzata Dental today to learn more about dental crowns and our other restorative dental services and how we can help you offset the cost if you need dental crown work.