Dental crown cost: prices by material and how to pay less

Why you might need a crown

A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers the whole visible part of a tooth. Dentists usually suggest one when a filling alone won’t hold up.

Common reasons, according to MedlinePlus and Cleveland Clinic:

• A large cavity with too little tooth left to hold a filling.
• A cracked, chipped or worn-down tooth. See cracked tooth.
• A tooth that has had a root canal. See root canal cost, since the crown is usually a separate bill.
• Holding a bridge or covering an implant.

Getting one usually takes two visits. At the first, the dentist numbs the tooth, shapes it, takes an impression or scan, and fits a temporary crown. Cleveland Clinic says the lab usually takes two to three weeks to make the permanent one.

What a crown costs

These are national figures without insurance, from a 2024 survey of all 50 states and DC done for CareCredit. Your price could land above or below them.

Crown type	Typical range	National average
Porcelain	$915 to $3,254	$1,399
Porcelain fused to metal (non-gold)	$770 to $2,454	$1,114
All metal	$821 to $2,861	$1,211
Resin or temporary	$488 to $1,593	$697

Ask for a written estimate before any work starts, with the crown material named on it.

How the materials compare

Each material trades looks against strength. Cleveland Clinic and MedlinePlus describe them this way:

• Porcelain or all-ceramic. Looks the most like enamel, so it’s a common choice for front teeth. It can wear down the teeth it bites against more than metal does.
• Zirconia. A type of all-ceramic crown that is very strong and gentle on opposing teeth. The CareCredit survey doesn’t list zirconia separately, so ask for its price by name.
• Porcelain fused to metal. A metal shell under a tooth-colored layer. It’s strong, but the porcelain can chip.
• All metal, including gold alloys. Rarely chips or breaks and lasts the longest, but it looks like metal. Usually used on back teeth.
• Resin. The cheapest, but fragile. Cleveland Clinic says resin crowns often last three to five years, so they may cost more over time.

What drives the price

The material is only part of it. Other things that move the bill:

• Where you live. CareCredit notes its national figures don’t account for price differences between states.
• The office. Each office sets its own fees, so two dentists in the same town may quote different prices.
• What the tooth needs first. A root canal, or removal of old fillings and decay, can add to the bill. Cleveland Clinic says the dentist may use filling material to build up the tooth as a foundation for the crown. Ask whether that’s priced separately.
• The first visit. CareCredit says its crown figures don’t include the initial office visit, so the exam and X-rays may be billed as their own lines.

When you get the estimate, ask which of these are included.

Same-day crowns

Some offices can make a ceramic crown while you wait. The dentist scans the tooth, designs the crown on a computer, and a milling machine carves it from a solid block. That means one visit and no temporary crown.

Cleveland Clinic notes same-day crowns aren’t right for everyone, so ask whether your tooth is a good fit. We couldn’t find a reliable national price for them, so ask the office to quote it next to a lab-made crown.

How to pay less

1. Get a written estimate and ask about options. A different material may cost less and still suit the tooth. Ask whether the office gives a discount for paying in full.
2. Try a dental savings plan. If you don’t have insurance, a dental savings plan (a discount membership, not insurance) can lower the price at participating dentists. DentalPlans.com says its plans have no waiting periods, which matters when a tooth is already cracked. Compare plans at DentalPlans.com.
3. Check a dental school. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research says dental school clinics let students gain experience treating patients, at a reduced cost.
4. Look for a community health center. These federally funded clinics charge what you can afford, based on income.
5. Don’t put it off too long. A cracked or heavily filled tooth can break further, and a tooth that needs a root canal or extraction costs more than a crown alone.

To rough out a total before you call, try the dental cost estimator. If you’re paying out of pocket for everything, see going to the dentist without insurance.

How to make a crown last

Cleveland Clinic says crowns usually last five to 15 years, and longer with good care. The tooth under a crown can still get a cavity, so:

• Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth once a day.
• Skip chewing ice, very hard nuts and popcorn kernels, and go easy on very sticky foods like taffy and caramel.
• If you grind or clench, ask about a night guard. MedlinePlus notes grinding can chip or crack a crown. See custom vs over-the-counter night guards.
• If your new crown hurts or feels high, see tooth pain after a crown.