How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost?

Treating a damaged tooth is necessary for proper oral health. If a damaged tooth goes untreated, it can lead to decay, disease, infection and even the extraction of the tooth. The actual form of repair that a dentist utilizes to fix a damaged tooth depends on the amount of damage, along with other factors. If the crown of a tooth is severely damaged, but the root of the tooth is still healthy, a dentist may decide that the best treatment option is the placement of a dental crown.

What Are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are dental prosthetics that replace the damaged crown of a tooth. These differ from dental veneers in that a veneer is used to replace a portion of the crown, while a dental crown is used to replace the entirety of the damaged crown. Prosthetic crowns can also serve as abutments for a dental bridge, and help to hold the pontic (false tooth or teeth) in place.

Do I Need a Dental Crown?

Depending on the amount of damage, you may or may not need a dental crown. To repair certain forms of damage like those caused by cavities, tooth fillings may be the best repair option. For minor cracks or chips, something as simple as dental bonding may be enough. For a tooth that has been more severely compromised, though, your dentist will likely opt for the placement of a prosthetic crown.

What Are the Advantages of a Dental Crown?

While having a dental crown placed isn’t ideal, it is still a much better option than tooth extraction and replacement. A prosthetic crown still allows a patient to keep a good amount of their natural tooth, including the root. Prosthetic crowns help to restore functionality to a damaged tooth, and help a patient to be able to bite and chew again much like they did before the damage. Dental crowns also help with the cosmetic appearance of a tooth, and can be made to look very similar to the natural tooth that is being repaired.

What Is the Cost of a Dental Crown? What Are the Cost Factors?

The actual cost of a crown will depend on a few different factors. One major factor is what type of material is being used to create the prosthetic. A patient may have the option of porcelain- fused to metal, ceramic, metal or even gold. The different materials have different advantages and costs. Still, the average crown costs around $1,000 to $3,500. Crowns can be expected to last somewhere between 10 and 15 years, but may last longer if they are properly cared for.

Speak with Your Dentist

If you have a cracked, chipped, broken or severely decayed tooth, speak with your dentist about what repair options are right for you. If the best option is the placement of a dental crown, inquire about your options for materials used to create the crown, and the various costs involved in placing the dental crown.

More About Dental Crowns : What are Dental Crowns?