Dental Crowns: What They Are and What They Cost

A dental crown is a prosthetic device used to restore tooth structure, strength, and appearance. It is a “cap” for the tooth, covering it completely from the gum line upward.

Crowns can:

• Strengthen teeth worn down by decay or erosion.
• Hide dental discoloration and improve the shape of damaged or misshapen teeth for a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
• Protect your teeth after procedures such as root canal therapy, the placement of a dental bridge, or a dental implant.

Single crown placement is the most common dental restoration performed in the United States. But dealing with dental crown costs can be a challenge for many budgets.

Keep reading for information about the types of crowns available and about finding affordable dental crowns in the Philadelphia area.

What Are Dental Crowns Made Of?

The material used to make the crown you need depends, in part, on which teeth the dentist needs to place your crown.

Crown Materials for Fully Visible Teeth

Typically, dentists use full ceramic or porcelain crowns on the most visible teeth. A ceramic or porcelain crown can closely resemble the shade of your natural tooth’s color. For this reason, they are popular choices, especially for front teeth. They are, however, weaker than crowns made of metals like gold.

The next most natural-looking option is a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. This type of crown has a metal structure covered by porcelain, making it more durable than an all-porcelain crown. But receding gums can reveal the underlying metal as a dark line next to the tissue.

Crown Materials for Molars

Molars are the large, broad back teeth used in chewing. Dentists typically make crowns for molars from gold or gold alloy (a mixture of gold and other metals).

Gold lasts the longest of any crown material and rarely breaks. Since molars must stay strong so you can bite and chew hard foods, gold is an ideal choice. In addition, while gold crowns are obvious in the front of the mouth, they are less visible on the molars in the back.

Gold crowns are also the best option for people with TMJ or bruxism. These conditions subject the teeth to more force and pressure. Over time, this pressure can cause the gums to recede. Receding gums expose parts of the tooth root to plaque, the sticky bacterial film that causes decay.

Crown Materials for the Short Term

Temporary crowns protect teeth while the dental lab manufactures your permanent crowns. Dentists make temporary crowns from stainless steel.

Stainless steel is also the most common material used for pediatric dental crowns. Pediatric crowns protect baby teeth (primary teeth) from decay until the adult teeth come in. When the tooth comes out, the stainless-steel crown will fall out naturally.

How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost?

Dental crown costs vary based on your particular situation. Three major factors will affect the cost of any crown:

• Crown Material
  Pricing varies based on the dental crown material used. In a head-to-head, gold vs. porcelain crown comparison, for example, a gold crown costs more than its porcelain-fused-to-metal counterpart, and also more than ceramic crowns.

• Additional Procedures Needed
  Sometimes, your dentist must perform other essential treatments before placing your crown. One commonly required treatment is removing a tooth’s decayed portions. Doing so before placing the crown not only helps ensure its success and longevity but also promotes optimal oral health.

• Dental Office
  Rates may vary from one dental clinic or practice to another. Dentists who have been practicing for many years and have specialized training may charge higher fees for their services. And your final cost may depend on whether your dentist’s office accepts your dental insurance, should you carry any. Asking your dentist and insurance company, if any, about costs before proceeding is important.

PDM Keeps Philadelphia’s Dental Crown Costs Down

If you’re in or near Philadelphia, need crowns, and are concerned about dental crown costs, consider treatment at Penn Dental Medicine (PDM).

PDM is a teaching clinic of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Because your treatment is a part of our skilled student dentists’ clinical education, we charge far less than most private practices.

We also accept direct payment from most dental insurance plans, including all Medicaid plans available to Southeastern Pennsylvania residents. And we work with qualified patients to establish low- and no-interest financing plans.

You can schedule a consultation online regarding your dental crown options, or call us at 215-898-8965.

Or, for more information about PDM’s affordable, quality dental care, download our free eBook, Dental Work Without the Stress.