Dental Crown: Price, Procedure, and Options

Where did the dental crown originate from?

Dental crowns date back nearly two thousand years. In the third century, gold was used to restore damaged teeth. By the late 1800s, ceramics emerged as a treatment to cover and protect teeth from further deterioration. Ceramics cracked easily back then, so gold remained a popular material for crowns.

Today, several materials exist to provide strong, durable, and esthetic restorations for front and back teeth.

Crowns can brighten a smile, anchor a bridge, and cover a dental implant. Crowns have transformed people’s lives by giving them beautiful teeth and bright smiles. These restorations continue to be one of the most common procedures performed in dental offices each year.

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Dental Crown Types

When so much of a tooth is missing that traditional fillings cannot repair the damage, your dentist might recommend a crown. You can maintain a crown for many years with good oral hygiene and regular dental visits.

Crowns are fabricated from several materials, including:

• Metal. These crowns function well on back teeth that are not visible when smiling or talking. Gold and other metals used for these restorations have the advantage of not breaking or chipping under chewing pressure. However, their metallic color makes them less desirable for many people.

• Porcelain-fused to metal. These crowns combine the strength and durability of metal with the natural appearance of all-ceramic restorations. But these very popular crowns can cause wear issues with the opposing teeth.

• All-porcelain crowns. This is the most popular crown used today, especially for front teeth.

• Zirconia. These durable, strong, and non-abrasive crowns match the color of natural teeth very closely. These require one appointment for placement.

• Composite resin. These less expensive crowns wear down quickly, making them better suited for temporary crowns.

Onlay Crowns

Onlays can restore teeth with cavities, cracks, or defective fillings. Onlays preserve more tooth than crowns and restore excellent strength and durability to a tooth. Normal oral hygiene without any special measures to take makes this a desirable restoration.

Onlays are made primarily from these three materials:

• Porcelain

• Composite resin

• Gold

¾ Crowns

These crowns replace the biting surface, the sides, and the back of the tooth while preserving the entire front of the tooth.

This is an excellent alternative to dental crowns that leaves the natural part of your tooth untouched. This makes it so your appearance won’t change much when smiling!

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Dental Crown Average Cost 

A dental crown’s cost depends on the material used and any other necessary procedures such as gum surgery or root canal treatment. Both of these cause a significant increase in the total cost.

Below is an example of the price range for five types of crowns:

• Stainless steel crowns. $300 – $500 per tooth. These are used mainly on children’s teeth or as temporary crowns for adults.
• Composite resin crowns. $600 – $1300 per tooth. Not an excellent choice for the long-term but useful as an interim restoration due to low strength and durability.
• Metal crowns. $800 – $1400 per tooth. A great option for back teeth. Unmatched longevity and durability make these crowns desirable.
• Porcelain-fused to metal. $875 – $1400 per tooth. Strong and durable crowns used more on back teeth. 
• All porcelain crowns. $800 – $3000 per tooth. A very natural-appearing crown frequently used to restore front teeth.

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Is There Pain with Dental Crowns? 

Your tooth and the surrounding gum get numbed before the beginning of the procedure. Local dental anesthetics and sedation make getting a crown a painless procedure. Keep in mind, the tooth may experience sensitivity for several days following the procedure. 

Most dental crown procedures (with the exception of Zirconia crowns) require two office visits for completion of the procedure.

First Visit

This visit includes:

• Thorough oral exam
• Dental x-ray
• Dental anesthesia to numb the tooth
• Shaping the tooth to create space for the crown on the tooth
• Inspection of remaining tooth for decay or cracks
• An impression of the tooth to create a model on which the dental lab fabricates the crown
• Placement of a temporary crown

Second Visit

This visit includes:

• Discussion about any symptoms such as cold sensitivity while wearing the temporary crown
• Removal of the temporary crown
• Check the fit and bite of the permanent crown
• Make necessary adjustments to the crown
• Cementation of the crown to tooth with dental cement
• Final check to ensure a perfect fit and bite

The new crown may feel different for several days until you adjust to it. You can expect some cold sensitivity, but that should resolve in a matter of days.

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Dental Crowns Versus Cap: What’s the difference?

There is a subtle difference between a dental crown and a dental cap.

It’s spelling.

Yep, that is the only difference. These are one and the same dental restoration. Lay people refer to this restoration as a cap and have for many years. Dentists call the exact same restoration a dental crown.

So don’t let this terminology confuse you!

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FAQ’S

Is it painful to have a crown put on your tooth?

No! Due to the advancements in local dental anesthetics and sedation, getting a crown is a painless procedure. You may experience sensitivity (especially to cold and air) for several days following the placement of your crown. Contact your dentist if this persists!

How long do dental crowns last?

A dental crown can last many years with proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits. Many factors determine your crown’s longevity, such as the food and drinks you choose, habits such as grinding your teeth, and prevention of tooth decay and gum disease.

How much is a dental crown?

The price of a crown varies widely depending on the material used. A typical range is generally between $800 to $1700.

Is a dental cap and crown the same thing?

Yes, a cap and crown are one and the same dental restoration. Dentists refer to them as crowns, and laypeople for many years have called them caps.

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