What does the price of a dental crown include?

The cost of your dental crown procedure and what is included in the price will depend on your individual oral health needs and dental benefits.

In general, the price includes the materials used, which can include the temporary crown, the permanent crown, local anesthetic, dental laboratory costs, and your dentist’s time to complete the procedure. 

How many appointments will I need to get my dental crown?

The number of appointments will depend on your particular needs. Some dentists use specialized milling machines to create same-day crowns in their office, allowing for a single appointment.

However, traditional crowns typically require two dental appointments — one for preparation and impression, and another two weeks later for final placement and fitting. 

Are there alternatives to dental crowns?

Depending on how much damage has been done to your tooth, alternatives to a dental crown may include an onlay or veneer. In some cases, a large filling may be used to restore your tooth. These alternatives conserve as much of your natural tooth as possible but may not be an option if there is too much damage or decay.

Check the details of your dental plan to determine if it provides coverage for these alternatives. 

Are dental crowns covered by insurance?

Many dental benefits plans help with the cost of dental crowns, but some plans do not. Consider whether there are any deductibles or waiting periods that need to be met before benefits begin and whether your dentist is in-network for your plan, which will give you access to any fee discounts that may apply.

Ask your dentist for a pre-treatment estimate to see how much of the cost your insurance will cover.

Does Delta Dental offer insurance that covers dental crowns?

Yes. If you already have access to group dental coverage through an employer or a program such as Medicaid, speak with your group benefit administrator to learn more about what your plan covers. If you need dental insurance, you can also shop for individual and family plans from companies such as Delta Dental.   

How can I pay for the remaining costs not covered by dental insurance?

Dental benefits help with the cost, and there are other methods you can use to cover the remaining expense. These methods include:

• Health Savings Account (HSA): HSAs let you set aside money (pre-tax) to help pay for qualified medical expenses. Money you do not spend in any year carries over to the next year. You will need to check if your employer’s health benefit plan offers an HSA.
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA): This is an employer-funded health plan that reimburses employees tax-free for qualified medical expenses.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): FSAs are similar to HSAs but with some differences. They are employer-provided, have lower contribution limits, and typically do not allow you to carry over funds from year to year. 

It is important to note that dental crowns are not always covered. Check with your HSA, HRA, or FSA to see if your procedure qualifies.

Medicare and Medicaid do not provide coverage for dental crowns, but certain Medicare Advantage plans may. 

Discuss crowns with your dentist

Dental crowns are a vital solution for restoring a damaged tooth and there are several options to consider. It is important to discuss these choices with your dentist. If you think you may need a crown, you can find nearby dentists using our dentist finder tool.