Dental crowns : Costs / Fees
How much do dental crowns cost? - This page provides an estimate of the price you might pay to have a dental crown made for a tooth.
As you can see from our list, there are a several different types of crowns (gold, porcelain, etc...) that can be placed.
Take your dentist's recommendation.
Notice that the comparative cost of each type of crown does not vary drastically. So if your dentist feels the construction or appearance of one type will create a better looking, better fitting or more durable final restoration, then for the relatively small cost difference involved, it's probably a great idea to follow their recommendation.
How did we come up with this estimate? / Cost estimates for other dental procedures. |
Ask your dentist about selling your old dental crowns.
Old dental restorations often have precious-metal content and for that reason can have value. Quiz your dentist about any restorations that your new crowns are replacing. If it's likely that they may be worth something, have them return them to you. This link provides information about selling scrap dental restorations.
Footnotes and comments:
1) Porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns can be fabricated using any one of a number of different dental alloys. Based on their composition, these metals are categorized as being precious (high noble), semi-precious (noble) or non-precious (base or non-noble). (Use this link for more information about the classification system that's used.)
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns fabricated using any one of these alloys, for the most part, can be expected to provide the same patient experience (appearance, function, longevity), although every dentist will have their own distinct opinion regarding this matter.
In general, dental alloys having higher precious metal content offer advantages during the fabrication and crown-seating process. And for this reason are preferred. Reasons not to choose a precious alloy are typically only based on cost, or limitations imposed by the patient's dental insurance plan.
2) All-metal dental crowns are also classified according to the type of dental alloy from which they are fabricated (the same classification system linked to above in footnote #1).
From the standpoint of the dental patient's experience, each type of all-metal dental crown can be expected to be essentially identical in function and longevity. There are, however, advantages associated with precious alloys in regards to crown fabrication and placement (see link above) and for this reason are typically considered to be the preferred choice. A decision against a noble alloy is usually based on cost or limitations dictated by a patient's dental plan.
3) Dental alloys vary in color. For example, they can be either gold or "white" (silver-colored). Among the gold alloys, the metal's precise tint can range between deep-yellow and pale gold. If the look of your crown is important to you, you must discuss this issue with your dentist before the crown is made.
Determining fees: The dentist's perspective.
Most dentists would probably like to think that their patients have chosen them because of their dental experience and the quality of their work. Not because of how much or how little they charge for making crowns.
They would also probably consider a consultation appointment to be the preferred way for a potential patient to learn about the cost of the dental treatment they need, as well as meeting them and experiencing the environment in which the work will be performed. Most dentists will likely charge an examination fee for this visit. The receptionist making your consultation appointment should be able to quote this fee for you precisely.
The receptionist may not know exactly what dental x-rays will be required during your examination, and these can add to its cost. But these are items that you will need no matter which dentist performs your work. After you have had your consultation, if you decide not to have the dentist perform your treatment, you can simply request that your x-rays be forwarded to another dental office.
Determining fees: The patient's perspective.
It seems doubtful that any patient would want to choose a dentist based strictly on price. Surely the manner in which they perform their work and the quality of their results should be of equal, if not much greater, concern.
Ask your friends and coworkers who their dentist is. Reputations travel. Your friends will know who has provided quality work for them and they will also likely have a relative idea of how the fees charged by their dentist compare with other dentists.
A polite telephone survey to a few dental offices can give you a general idea of the range of fees found in your area. If you do choose this method, we would suggest the following.
The American Dental Association ("ADA") has developed a series of code numbers, each of which references a specific dental procedure. These codes are standard for the dental industry and are used by all dental offices and dental insurers. When making an enquiry, ask the dental office receptionist what ADA code number is associated with the procedure for which they are providing fee information. Then make sure you reference this same number when contacting other dental offices. This way you are most likely to collect true "apples to apples" comparative quotes.
