A dental crown in Suffolk County is a common restorative procedure that you may need one day. This treatment process uses a strong, permanent cap that is bonded over your tooth to protect the remaining structure underneath. Crowns are typically placed on weak teeth that have cracks, large areas of decay, or previous root canal treatment. But how much do they cost?
What Different Types of Crowns Are There?
Crowns can be made from a variety of materials. At the time of treatment, our dentist will decide which is best for you. The type you choose will impact the price of your dental crown.
The most common materials that crowns are made from include:
- All Porcelain: This material looks most natural, making it a popular choice for a front tooth.
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal or (PFM): This crown consists of a strong bottom layer of metal covered by an aesthetically pleasing outer shell of tooth-colored porcelain.
- Metal Crowns: Gold is a common material which very strong and works well for people that have a powerful bite, or grind and clench their teeth.
- Zirconia: The most popular material used these days is zirconia, which is a very dense substance for added protection but is tooth-colored like porcelain.
How Much Does a Dental Crown Really Cost?
An average dental crown will range in cost typically between $800 and $1600, depending on multiple different factors.
The prices vary depending on the type of material selected, lab fees, and even where you’re located geographically. Here is a more average breakdown of what one crown costs, but keep in mind, these prices are very broad and may not reflect exactly what you will pay because of other factors involved.
- All Porcelain Crown: $800 – $2,000
- PFM: $875 – $1,400
- Metal and Gold Crowns: $1,000 – $1,800
- Zirconia: $1,000 – $1,500
Additional Costs Involved With Dental Crowns
Having your crown completed early on may reduce the need for additional treatments associated with crown costs. However, some of the following may turn out to be unavoidable for certain situations:
- Crown Buildup or Post and Core
Our dentist needs enough healthy tooth to be able to attach a crown to. If you have a large cavity or fracture, we may need to build the tooth back up with filling material to ensure there is enough tooth structure for the right amount of retention.
For weaker teeth that have had root canal therapy, we may place a post down one of the roots to give it more stability.
- Gingivectomy or Crown Lengthening
This minor gum surgery involves removing some gum tissue to give the tooth more length, or to access subgingival decay so that it can be removed.
- Root Canal Treatment
If the decay or break in your tooth is advanced and has reached the nerve inside the tooth, you’ll need to have a root canal to remove the damaged nerve tissue. This will need to be done prior to placing a crown over your tooth.
After a root canal, we always perform a buildup and we typically recommend that every root-canaled tooth gets crowned.
- Dental Implant
If your tooth is not salvageable then we may be able to place a dental implant with a crown. Implants and their crowns are a full replacement that does require additional time and investment to complete.
- Cosmetic Crowns
For teeth that show when you smile, we like to take extra care in ensuring they look perfect. To do so, we may contract a cosmetic dental laboratory whose experts work diligently to craft beautiful smiles. There may be additional fees associated with the design process.
- Sedation
While sedation isn’t always necessary (because we’ll use of local anesthetic) some people feel more comfortable when they can nap through the procedure. If you’re interested in sedation, be sure to discuss it during your examination, prior to your treatment.
Paying For A Dental Crown
Don’t let the cost of a dental crown worry you too much. There are many different ways that you can pay for this treatment and make it affordable in the process. For instance:
Dental Insurance
It may be beneficial to sign up for dental insurance through your employer. While all plans are different, the average coverage amount for a crown is 50%, meaning that your insurance will pay for half of the crown and you pay for the other half.
Here are a couple of other things you should know about dental insurance and crowns:
Replacement Period
Most dental insurance plans have what’s called a replacement period clause. Typically, the period is five years. This means that if you already have a crown on a tooth that for whatever reason is needing to be replaced, your insurance won’t pay towards a new crown unless the existing crown is over five years old.
Waiting Period
If your insurance plan is new to you, it may come with a waiting period, which means that they won’t pay for certain major services like crowns until you’ve had the coverage for a certain amount of time.
Paying Cash For Your Crown
Some dental providers will give you a discount if you pay in full before treatment is rendered. If paying cash is an option for you, make sure to mention it to your provider.
HSA or FSA
In addition to offering dental insurance, your employer may provide you with a tax-free Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that you can use to pay for dental and other healthcare expenses.
In-House Payment Plans
If you’re interested in making payments directly to the office, speak to a financial coordinator to see what options may be available. Typically, these payments will be automatic bank drafts and may be limited to two or three payments.
Extended Third-Party Payment Plans
Third-party financing is typically available to people who have good credit and want to pay smaller amounts over a longer period of time. Some lenders have very affordable interest-free payment options that are worth looking into.
Affordable Dental Crowns in Suffolk County
Remember that to help prevent incurring additional expenses, you shouldn’t delay getting a dental crown. For financial assistance and insurance advice, reach out to the knowledgeable team of Sachem Dental Group in Suffolk County. We’re here to help you with all your dental needs, so give us a call today.