Cost of Porcelain Crowns

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Breaking Down the Investment in Dental Crowns

At Solid Bite in Melbourne, FL, our goal is to provide high-quality crown dental treatments that restore your oral health and confidence. We understand that knowing the cost of porcelain crowns is essential for making informed decisions about your dental care. While the cost of dental crowns can vary greatly across different dental offices based on geographic location and dentist's expertise, we are committed to providing transparent pricing and exceptional value.

A porcelain crown (dental cap) is a critical investment. It acts as a strong shield for a damaged or weakened tooth, preventing fracture and eventual tooth loss. The average cost reflects the precision involved in tooth preparation and the quality of the materials used to create a durable, natural appearance.

If you need a new crown and want a detailed cost estimate, contact our Melbourne dental office at 321.259.8000 today. Dr. Lee Sheldon, Dr. Michel Furtado, and Dr. Matt Sheldon provide the dental experience necessary to ensure your new crown is a success.

Factors Influencing the Cost of a Dental Crown

The dental crowns cost is determined by several factors specific to the type of dental crowns chosen (within the all-ceramic category) and the preparatory work required. Our doctors collaborate to choose the appropriate treatment that ensures the longevity of your restoration and protection of the remaining tooth structure.

Crown Material Selection

Solid Bite specializes exclusively in metal-free porcelain crowns. The specific ceramic chosen for your permanent crown significantly impacts the cost of dental crowns due to differences in material strength and aesthetics:

  • Zirconia Crowns: Zirconia crowns are made from a remarkably strong, opaque ceramic, making them highly durable for back teeth and areas requiring maximum resistance to biting and chewing forces. They provide a seamless, natural appearance and are ideal when maximum strength is the top priority.
  • e.Max and High-Quality Porcelain: These all porcelain crowns provide the most lifelike light reflection and translucency, which is essential for matching front teeth and highly visible surrounding teeth. These ceramic crowns are often valued for their superior aesthetics, making them a higher cost option due to the specialized material and precise fabrication required by our dental lab.

Preparatory Dental Procedures

The dental crown procedure fee often includes additional procedures necessary to prepare the prepared tooth:

  • Root Canal Therapy: If the damaged tooth requires a root canal treatment before the crown placement, the overall treatment costs increase significantly. The crown acts as the final, necessary protection for the tooth after the root canal is completed.
  • Core Buildup: If there is very little remaining tooth structure due to cracked teeth or extensive decay, a core buildup is needed to create enough structure for the tooth shaped cap to adhere to.

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Navigating Dental Insurance Coverage

Understanding dental insurance is essential for minimizing your out of pocket costs. Dental crowns are considered a major dental care procedure, meaning they are often covered by dental insurance plans, but not at 100%.

Here is what to expect regarding insurance and payment:

  • Insurance Coverage: Most dental insurance plans and many dental insurance plans offer partial coverage for dental crowns, typically ranging from 50% to 70% of the average cost after your deductible is met. We will contact your insurance provider to verify your specific plans coverage.
  • Flexible Spending and Health Savings: You can use pre-tax dollars from health savings accounts (hsa) or flexible spending accounts (fsa) to pay for the crown cost, offering a significant tax saving.
  • Payment Plans: For balances not covered by most dental plans, we offer flexible payment plans and work with various financing companies to ensure you receive the appropriate treatment immediately.

The Value of Protecting Teeth with Porcelain Crowns

While the cost of a dental crown is an expense, it is far less than the cost of losing the tooth entirely. The value of dental implants and bridges required to replace a missing tooth is substantially higher than the initial cost of a crown placement.

Porcelain crowns offer lasting benefits:

  • Durability: A quality crown material fabricated by a skilled dental lab will withstand biting and chewing forces for many years.
  • Aesthetics: All porcelain crowns and zirconia crowns provide a seamless, natural appearance, perfectly matching your natural teeth. This is crucial when repairing discolored or misshapen teeth or those in the front of the mouth.
  • Prevention: The crown acts as a final safeguard, protecting teeth that are already compromised by root canal therapy or severe structural damage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crowns Cost

Does insurance cover all types of dental crowns equally?

No. Most dental insurance plans typically offer better coverage for pfm crowns or those made of metal, especially on back teeth, as these are sometimes considered the standard of care for strength. However, all porcelain crowns and zirconia crowns often have higher out of pocket costs because they are valued for their superior aesthetics, particularly on front teeth. Our team will confirm your specific insurance coverage based on the crown type recommended.

What is included in the cost of a dental crown?

The total cost of a dental crown includes multiple components: the tooth preparation (remaining tooth structure removal), the digital impressions sent to the dental laboratory, the fee from the dental lab for fabrication, and the crown placement during the second visit. Additional procedures like root canal or core buildup are charged separately.

Are there any lower-cost alternatives to porcelain crowns?

For very small chips or to address slightly discolored or misshapen teeth, alternatives like dental bonding (using composite resin) may be used at a lower cost. However, if you have a cracked tooth that needs full structural protection, or have undergone root canal therapy, a porcelain crown is the standard, necessary appropriate treatment to prevent tooth loss. We can also discuss if resin crowns are an option for you, though they are less durable.

Dental consultation with smiling patient and two dentists in modern dental office, discussing treatment options for porcelain crowns.

Schedule Your Consultation for a New Crown

Don't let concerns about the cost of porcelain crowns deter you from necessary dental care. Our experienced dentist team is committed to providing clear, fair pricing and finding flexible payment plans that fit your budget. We provide the highest quality all porcelain crowns fabricated by a master dental laboratory.

Contact Solid Bite today to schedule your initial consultation and receive a detailed treatment plan. Call our Melbourne dentists near you today at 321.259.8000.

Choosing Solid Bite for Your Restorative Dentistry

Choosing Solid Bite for your porcelain crowns means benefiting from the comprehensive skill of our Melbourne dentists, Dr. Lee Sheldon, Dr. Michel Furtado, and Dr. Matt Sheldon. We use advanced digital impressions and partner with top dental laboratory technicians to ensure your final crown is lifelike, durable, and functions perfectly with your opposing teeth.

Whether you require a single tooth restoration or multiple crowns to support a dental bridge, our office is committed to delivering exceptional dental care and a beautiful smile.

Experience the Solid Bite difference: Contact our dental practice in Melbourne today at 321.259.8000 to schedule your consultation.