How much would an affordable dentist charge for crowns?

How much would an affordable dentist charge for crowns? I need 3 of them and I can’t afford to pay a high end or middle end dentist to get them. I have some dental insurance but it will only pay 30%. I appreciate the coverage but that’s not much. My current crowns are almost 18 years old so I can’t complain about how long they have lasted. I just need to replace them before there is damage to my teeth beneath the crowns. If you can give me a ball park for how much an affordable dentist would charge at least I know what to expect. Thanks. Kendrick

Kendrick,

The cost of a dental crown varies, depending on the dentist you use and where you live in the U.S. With dental insurance, the cost of an all-porcelain crown can be anywhere from $800-$1800—again based on your location and the affordable dentist’s rates. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns cost less. You can contact your dental insurance company to find out the usual fee for crowns in your city and state.

Look for Quality and Affordable Dentistry

A dental crown is designed to protect a tooth, but it can only do so if the following standards are met:

  • Your natural tooth is precisely tapered for the crown to fit over it.
  • Accurate impressions of your tooth are made to ensure the crown is the right size.
  • The crown is correctly bonded to your tooth to ensure it’s seated neither too high nor too low.
  • Your bite—the way your teeth fit together while wearing the crown—is properly measured.

Although you might find an affordable dentist, your choice shouldn’t be based on cost alone. Ensure your dentist is experienced in providing and placing high-quality crowns. If all of the above factors aren’t met, several problems can occur including:

  • Too much pressure on the crown from a bite that is off can cause the crown to crack.
  • An improper bite can cause jaw, head, and neck pain.
  • A crown that isn’t properly bonded can come off.

Don’t make a quick decision. Ask friends, family members, or co-workers for recommendations, or look for online reviews of a dentist’s work. An affordable dentist who does quality work might offer payment plans or no-interest financing to help you get the dental care you need.

This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Collins.