A dental crown, also known as a porcelain crown or zirconia crown, is an artificial covering that is cemented over a tooth in order to restore the tooth’s natural strength and appearance in the mouth. In dentistry, there are due procedures to follow when installing a dental crown. The dentist will need to reshape your tooth that needs to be covered. He then takes an impression of the tooth in order to get the accurate shape and measurement of the tooth. After taking the actual impression, the impression is sent to the lab where it’s used to fabricate a temporary crown that will be placed on your tooth.
Mistakes are unacceptable when it comes to making crowns, it can lake up to a week or less to produce one. With the help of your tooth impression, the crown is carefully crafted to fit just like your other existing natural teeth. In my previous post, I explain more on dental crowning process. You can check the post later to learn more on how dental crowns are installed.
Why you might need dental crown
Dental crowns are widely used by dentists for the repair and treatment of damaged teeth. A crown can be used to restore a tooth that is cracked, chipped, or severely damaged due to decay. It provides protection and strengthens weakened teeth. Dental crowns are recommended for patients who require gum surgery or have undergone previous dental treatments.
In some cases, dental crowns are used in dentistry to secure artificial teeth as part of a dental bridge. They can also be used to replace missing teeth after dental implants, preserving the natural tooth structure and providing a durable tooth cap.
Factors that can affect costs of dental crowns
Dental crown is quite expensive, especially if you need it for damaged teeth or to restore the natural tooth structure of your back teeth. However, you might end up paying much more if you want the crown only for cosmetic reasons, rather than clinical reasons. Cosmetic dentists, who specialize in enhancing the appearance of teeth, charge higher fees. Other factors that can affect the costs of dental crowns include various aspects such as materials used and the complexity of the procedure.
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Your location is a key factor that determines the prices of goods and services, as it impacts various factors such as strength of the economy, et al. Hence, understanding the need to consider location when making purchasing decisions is crucial. Different countries have different price levels due to various types of economic conditions.
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The type of crowning material that you want
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The number of teeth to be crowned
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Dental insurance
Dental insurance usually covers the cost of dental treatments, including dental crowns made of zirconia or porcelain. However, most dental insurance plans have limitations on the type and number of treatments allowed within a specific timeframe. If you have dental insurance, contact your network dentist or insurance company for more information.
However, there are other additional expenses associated with the treatment. Apart from the cost of the crown itself, you’ll have to pay for other services such as dental canal, dental fillings, dental implants, dental x-ray and oral examination. Most of these procedures are carried out before the crown is fitted on your tooth. Here are the estimated costs of these procedures:
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Dental x-ray – $35 – $80
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Dental examination – $40 – $100
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Dental implants – $1,000- $3000 per tooth
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Root canal: $750- $1,000 per tooth
Costs of dental crowns
There are many types of dental crowns available for you to choose from. A dentist can make crowns using materials such as ceramic, resin, porcelain, gold, and more. These materials have different prices, so you can select based on your budget, cosmetic desires, or medical needs. Having dental insurance can help save you money on the cost of treatment. However, here is a list of estimated costs for these dental crowns without insurance.
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Ceramic crown: ceramic is a popular material that is used in making crowns. Ceramic crowns are specially designed to blend in by matching the color of your existing teeth. Although the crown dose not last much when compared to metallic clowns. It’s a popular choice for patients who are allergic to metal or those who want their crowns to look natural. It has a natural tooth-color that makes it unnoticed in the mouth. Ceramic crowns is estimated to cost about $800 – $3000 per tooth.
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Porcelain-fused to metal: porcelain is very strong and durable, but the porcelain-fused metal is much more stronger. It’s easier to install when compared to ceramic crowns, but it is more stronger due to its metal structure. Although, most patients don’t like porcelain-fused to metal crowns because they are opaque and overly visible. This dental crown is estimated to cost about – $500- $2000 per tooth, the price depends on the type of metal used.
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Gold crowns: the gold crown is quite very pleasing to the eye, but it’s quite very expensive. Unlike most other crowning materials, gold crowns provides stronger bonds to the teeth. It does not fracture or wear down. Gold crown is estimated to cost about $800 to $3700 per crown. But you can get the gold crown at cheaper price if it’s mixed with copper or any other metal.
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All-resin: this crown is usually made with non-metals which are highly resistant to corrosion. They are very affordable and can also be designed in a special way in order to blend with your existing teeth. Just like the ceramic crowns, the all-resin composite crowns are tooth-colored. It’s also a popular choice, but the only problem it has is that it is more prone to fractures and wear. All-resin crowns cost about- $300-$2000 per tooth.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to dental coverage, the cost of gold and metallic crowns are the best options for durability. Porcelain and other non-metallic crown materials are less expensive, but they wear out over time. In addition to these four materials, there are other available options such as zirconia and stainless steel for teeth crowning at the dentist.