How Much Does a Dental Crown Cost? Answers from a Los Angeles Cosmetic Dentist
There are several reasons why you might need a porcelain dental crown. Maybe you've got a crack in your tooth that hurts every time you bite down. Or, maybe you have a huge cavity that needs an equally-huge filling that your tooth can't physically support all by itself. Or, maybe you've just had a root canal and your tooth needs some extra protection.
In any event, a porcelain dental crown will slide over your entire tooth -- from the gum line on down -- and protect it from further damage. And because it's made out of porcelain, no one will even notice that it's there. In fact, depending on the shape your existing tooth is in, a porcelain dental crown might actually improve your smile!
But how much is the cost of porcelain dental crowns? Will a trip to your Los Angeles cosmetic dentist's office for one completely break your budget?
There isn't one single answer to these questions, because different cosmetic dentists charge different rates. If you know the ins and outs of the dental crown process, you can use that knowledge to your advantage. You can shop around and find a dentist who can meet your specific needs. This can be done without putting too much stress on your wallet.
On average, an all-porcelain dental crown can cost anywhere from $800 to $3,000 per tooth. Fortunately, though, if you have dental insurance, you'll likely have some help footing the bill. The key to your insurance coverage is whether the dental crown is needed for any kind of medical reason. If, for example, you have a crack in your tooth, you need a crown placed over it to protect it. That's a legitimate medical purpose. If you want a dental crown simply because your tooth doesn't look quite right, that's different. Your insurance company will probably say that's an elective cosmetic procedure, and you won't have any coverage.
Insurance or not, why do porcelain dental crowns cost so much?
A big issue is the porcelain itself. Your crown will be a tooth-shaped "cap" that's manufactured to fit your exact tooth, and it will be made entirely out of special dental-grade porcelain. Since porcelain is more expensive material than, say, stainless steel or metal alloy, your dental crown will cost more.
Is having porcelain really worth it?
Most cosmetic dentists in Los Angeles think so! That's because porcelain reflects light similarly to the way your natural tooth enamel does. As a result, a porcelain dental crown will look much more life-like. And because porcelain has an amazing ability to resist stains from things like red wine, coffee, and cigarettes, your dental crown will retain its bright white shine for years and years. In fact, the average porcelain dental crown will last 5-15 years, and in some cases, even longer. You may even get a solid 25 or 30 years out of your crown! When you look at it that way, it's easy to see that the money you're spending now is a long-term investment.
(And yes, if your insurance company helped you pay for your original crown, they'll help foot the bill when your dental crown eventually needs to be replaced.)
Luckily, there are things that you can do to extend the lifespan of your dental crown. For starters, maintaining a good brushing and flossing routine is vital. Bacteria can wiggle its way past even the sturdiest of crowns and decay your underlying tooth. If your tooth becomes seriously decayed, it can weaken so much that your crown falls right off. Just like that, you're back in the dentist's chair and spending more money!
Plus, making a conscious effort to change some habits can help. If you don't chew on ice cubes, bite your fingernails, grind your teeth, or eat super-sticky foods, your dental crown can last longer. Even if these things don't yank your crown completely off, they can cause your crown to chip or crack. And if a chip or crack is severe enough, your cosmetic dentist will have no choice but to start over with a brand new crown.
But the porcelain isn't the only thing that affects the cost of porcelain dental crowns.
The money you pay will also include some lab fees because even the best cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles can't make a dental crown himself. Instead, he has to take an impression of your teeth and send it off to a specialized lab so that they can handle the manufacturing.
Since you'll need to wait for your crown to be built and shipped, you'll have to make two appointments with your cosmetic dentist -- one to do the impression and one to do the crown application.
And speaking of your cosmetic dentist's time, you may have to take up more of it than the average patient.
Remember, weak teeth can't physically support a dental crown.
If your tooth is weak enough your cosmetic dentist will have to tackle that problem first. An example can be if it has significant decay or if there's an infection inside the pulp. If the damage is bad enough, you may need to pay for a root canal before you can even get to the dental crown!
Even if your tooth is relatively healthy, your Los Angeles cosmetic dentist will have to do some tedious work to prepare it for its new crown. At the very least, he'll have to file down part of your tooth to physically make room for the dental crown. (And since porcelain crowns are slightly bigger than their metal counterparts, your dentist will have to spend time filing off a little bit more.) Or, if part of your tooth is missing, he'll have to use a special filling material to make it big enough and strong enough to support a crown.
And finally, it's important to remember that the more experienced cosmetic dentists in Los Angeles tend to charge more than their less experienced counterparts. It may be tempting to go with a cheaper option. But, remember that the tools and techniques your dentist uses will have a direct impact on the success of your dental crown. Plus, you'll need to have an ongoing relationship with your cosmetic dentist, and a more experienced one is more likely to spot small issues and take care of them before they turn into big problems.
Now that you've seen everything that goes into it, it's easy to see why a porcelain dental crown costs so much. Fortunately, the right cosmetic dentist will be able to guide you painlessly through the entire process. Pick the right dentist, and you'll definitely feel like this was money well spent!
Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS
443 N. Larchmont Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 467-2777