How Much Does a Tooth Crown Cost
How much does a tooth crown cost?
That’s one of the most common questions we hear at Adam Brown DDS. And like many medical procedures, the real answer is it depends. The final cost of a dental crown can vary based on several factors—including your dental history, the condition of the tooth, your age, cosmetic preferences, and whether or not you have insurance.
We get it! Our team of dentists, hygienists, and staff members have families of our own. We understand how important it is to plan for healthcare costs. That’s why we’ve done the research for you.
To help you budget with confidence, we’ve gathered data from hundreds of dental offices and insurance providers across the Southeastern United States. The chart below reflects those findings and offers realistic price ranges for different types of dental crowns—both with and without insurance.
Crown Types
- Metal or gold crowns: Durable but less aesthetic, commonly for molars.
- PFM crowns: Strong and aesthetic.
- All-porcelain or zirconia crowns: Highly aesthetic and strong; front tooth choices.
- Resin/composite crowns (less common for permanent solutions): Typically lower cost.
What Does Insurance Normally Cover
Typical Insurance Coverage Practices
Most dental insurance plans adopt a standard 100‑80‑50 benefit structure:
- Preventive care at 100%
- Basic services at ~80%
- Major procedures (like crowns) at ~50%.
Important Insurance Information to Know
- Most plans include waiting periods for major coverage—especially new members.
- Annual maximums often range from $1,000 to $2,500
- Coverage may be denied if the crown is considered purely cosmetic.
Additional Fees & Considerations
These baseline crown costs often exclude related fees or necessary preparatory work. Depending on your past dental maintenance preparatory work can be extensive. For example, some patients might require Restorative Crown Lengthening. This is done when a tooth is broken, decayed below the gumline, or too short to support a crown. The dentist needs to expose more of the tooth so a proper crown or filling can be placed. Crown Lengthening can be as little as $250 per tooth or as much as $1,200 if surgical bone involvement is required. It’s important to consult with your dentist before you calculate pricing to be certain your crown is a typical procedure.
Typical Procedure
- Dental exam / consultation: $50–200
- X‑rays or digital scans: $25–200 (up to $750 for advanced imaging)
- If needed, core buildup or post-and-core: $200–500+
- If a root canal is necessary before the crown: often $700–2,100 without insurance, or $200–600 with insurance.
What’s the Bottom Line
Crowns are a long-term investment in your smile. In the Southeast, they typically cost between $600 and $3,000, depending on the material and your insurance plan. If you need additional services you may be looking at an additional cost per tooth.
Our team is happy to walk you through the process, answer your questions, and help you navigate insurance and financing. We believe dental care should be predictable, not stressful.
Questions? Call us or schedule a consultation. We’re here to help you smile with confidence.