How Much does a Dental Crown Replacement Cost

Learn how much a dental crown replacement costs and insurance coverage options with Smile Design Dentistry in West Central Florida.

A dental crown is a cap, made to resemble a tooth, placed on top of your damaged natural dentition. Severe tooth decay from cavities is one reason why someone might eventually require a dental crown. Nearlhy 15% of youth aged 5-19 years, and almost 26% of adults aged 20-44 have untreated dental caries, or tooth decay, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report.

However, for those experiencing further problems with their dental crown, it may be time to opt for a crown replacement. While more people are visiting their dentists for routine checkups and to review work already done to their teeth, millions still are not. In fact, in 2018, 64.7 million Americans failed to visit their dentists or medical physicians at all. This means patients experiencing trouble with underlying issues involving their preexisting dental crowns are not getting the help they need.

While it may be tempting to defer treatment to avoid dental crown replacement costs and the headache of scheduling further examinations and other procedures, leaving issues with dental crowns untreated can lead to further damage.

Dental crown replacement comes with many benefits, from maintaining a damaged tooth’s overall shape to improving the tooth’s aesthetics in the long term. But many people might not understand what a dental crown replacement is, or the procedures behind getting a dental crown, let alone the costs of dental crown replacement.

What is a Dental Crown?

Dental crowns are caps placed over a tooth that has been severely damaged or weakened from chipping or tooth decay. Generally speaking, the dental crown procedure will take some additional preparation, with one or two dentist visits to ensure the tooth is ready for a dental crown. But eventually, regardless of the type of material utilized, the dental crown is cemented onto the visible portion of the affected tooth.

The procedure for dental crowns usually requires two consecutive dentist visits. The first trip will include taking X-rays; later, any and all tooth decay in the affected tooth is cleared and the tooth is filed down to make way for the dental crown. Next, the dentist will make an impression of the tooth. This will be sent to a dental lab where the crown is prepared. Meanwhile, the patient wears a temporary crown until the new dental crown arrives. Once this is sent to the office, the dentist will then cement it to the patient’s tooth permanently.

Permanent dental crowns can be made using several different materials, such as metal, porcelain-infused metal, all-resin, and all-ceramic, or all-porcelain. Here are the four most common types of dental crowns explained:

Metal Dental Crown

Metals used in dental crowns last the longest. Typically, this kind of dental crown only requires a small amount of the damaged tooth to be removed, though they are recommended for out-of-sight molars, as the metal color can appear unnatural. Metals used in dental crowns include gold, nickel, or others. A major advantage of having metal crowns is that they are less likely to damage nearby teeth, unlike some of the other options detailed below.

Porcelain Fused to Metal Dental Crowns

Considered the gold standard due to how long they last while also offering a natural look, porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns can be made to match the color of nearby teeth. While the material isn’t as strong as the metal it is affixed to and can therefore chip, the crowns were found to have a 92% to 96% success rate in lasting more than eight years after the completion of the procedure. Unfortunately, porcelain can damage other nearby teeth from wear.

All-Resin Dental Crowns

All-resin dental crowns are often more affordable than other types of crowns, but they wear down much easier. Thus, dentists typically do not recommend these types of dental crowns, as the material is so fragile. However, this type of crown is chosen for damaged, malformed, fractured, or discolored baby teeth as a short fix until the adult teeth are able to grow in.

All-Ceramic Dental Crowns

This type of crown is actually made from porcelain. Like porcelain-fused-metal crowns, these can be made to match the color of nearby teeth. All-ceramic dental crowns are great options for those with metal allergies, but can break more easily than options employing metal.

How to Know if You Need a Dental Crown Replacement

There are many considerations when asking yourself if you need a dental crown replacement. Besides a crown falling out or obviously becoming fractured somehow, there are less evident signs a dental crown needs replacing. Your dentist will know for sure, which is why it is so important to consult with a dentist like the professionals at Smile Design Dentistry when pondering a dental crown replacement. But some early signs that your crown may need replacing include a receding gum line, old dental crowns, or pain in the areas surrounding the tooth with the crown.

Cost of Dental Crown Replacement

The cost of dental crowns can vary. According to the Consumer Guide to Dentistry, dental crown replacement cost can range from $1,000 to $3,500, whereas Cleveland Clinic estimates prices ranging from $800 to $1,500. Costs can differ widely on many factors. For example, dental crown replacement costs can depend on what type of new dental crown you are getting, the amount of specialized care that is involved, the repair work your tooth may require beforehand, the dental practice you are working with, and your dental insurance plan’s ability to pay for a portion or all of the expense. But in reality, no one can know the true costs of your procedure without the expertise and consultation of a dental professional.

Dental insurance usually covers procedures necessary to maintaining good dental health, such as annual cleanings, X-rays, and supporting a weak tooth or cracked tooth, which would include the work done by dental crown replacements. Of course, you will need to check with your healthcare provider to see if your insurance covers dental crowns and dental crown replacement costs.

For those suffering from severe tooth decay, dental crowns are a solution that can last for many years. Experienced dental professionals, like those from Smile Design Dentistry, will help you determine the cost of your dental crown replacement.

Dental Crown Replacement Payment Options

If you are debating if you need a dental crown replacement or not, worrying about costs may be a major cause for your apprehension. Fortunately, there are many ways to repair a dental crown replacement and see to your overall dental health without overspending.

Smile Design Dentistry wants to make dental work as reasonably priced as possible without forgoing high-quality care. We support different payment plan options. These include CareCredit, Alphaeon, and LendingPoint that enable patients to pay procedure costs over time.

To cover dental crown replacements, Smile Design Dentistry also checks your dental benefits plan, estimates your out-of-pocket costs, and assists you in arranging payment for the care you need. You can visit Smile Design’s Patient Information page for more details.

Your Dental Health Matters

Smile Design Dentistry wants patients to have the best smile they can. Our leading dentists support patients through the entire process of getting a dental crown or dental crown replacement, beginning with selecting the best dental crown for you and final steps of dental crown or dental crown replacement cost. Specialty equipment and up-to-the-minute technology make receiving dental crowns at Smile Design Dentistry pain free, easy, and straightforward.

Working in 50 offices across Florida, we are family-owned and operated and have been since 2004 when the first office was opened in Dade City. We build strong relationships with our patients, striving to make every dental treatment inexpensive and personalizing our care to meet the individual needs of all our patients.

Visit the Patient Information page of our website to discover how Smile Design Dentistry can support your dental crown and dental crown replacement needs. Learn more and schedule an appointment to let us help you today!