How Much Does a Dental Crown Cost? Prices by Type (2026)

A dental crown typically costs $800 to $2,500 per tooth before insurance, with a national average of about $1,300, according to SmileCosts' 2026 crown cost guide. What you pay depends on the crown material, where the tooth is in your mouth, where you live, and how much prep work the tooth needs. With dental insurance, many plans cover about 50% of a crown after the deductible, up to the plan's annual maximum.

This guide breaks down dental crown cost by material, what a crown quote includes, how dental insurance coverage works, and how to get an accurate estimate before treatment.

Average cost of dental crowns in 2026

Here are typical U.S. price ranges for the main types of dental crowns, per tooth and before insurance, from SmileCosts' 2026 guide:

National survey data lands in the same range. A 2024 study of all 50 states and Washington, D.C., conducted by ASQ360° for CareCredit, found these average prices:

• Porcelain crown: $1,399 on average (range $915 to $3,254)
• Porcelain and metal (non-gold) crown: $1,114 on average (range $770 to $2,454)
• Metallic crown: $1,211 on average (range $821 to $2,861)
• Resin or temporary crown: $697 on average (range $488 to $1,593)

These are prices for the crown itself, and the porcelain range shows some crowns can exceed $3,000 per tooth. Traditional crowns are made by an outside dental lab, and lab fees are usually built into the crown price. Same-day crowns are milled in the office in a single visit. A complete treatment bill can be higher once you add the exam, X-rays, and any work the tooth needs before the crown goes on.

What is a dental crown and when do you need one?

A dental crown is a custom, tooth-shaped cap that covers a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance. The dentist removes decay and reshapes the natural tooth so the crown fits over it down to the gum line.

Common reasons a dentist recommends a crown:

• A cracked tooth or a fracture
• A tooth that has had a root canal, which can become brittle
• A cavity too large for a filling to hold
• Severe wear from grinding (bruxism) or acid erosion
• Covering a dental implant or anchoring a bridge to replace a missing tooth
• Reshaping a badly misshapen or discolored tooth

A crown spreads chewing forces across the remaining tooth, which helps keep cracks from spreading. Without one, a weakened tooth may fracture further and need to be pulled, which leads to more expensive replacements such as an implant or bridge.

The dental crown procedure and what a quote includes

A standard crown usually takes two visits. At the first, the dentist examines the tooth, takes X-rays, numbs the area, removes decay, and shapes the tooth. This tooth preparation makes room for the crown. If too little tooth is left, the dentist adds a core buildup or a post to anchor the crown. The dentist then takes an impression or digital scan and places a temporary crown while a dental lab makes the permanent one, usually over one to three weeks. At the second visit, the dentist removes the temporary crown, checks the fit and color, and cements the permanent crown.

Some costs are often billed separately from the crown itself. SmileCosts lists these typical add-on charges:

• Exam and X-rays: $50 to $250
• Core buildup: $200 to $500
• Post and core: $250 to $650
• Root canal, if needed: $700 to $1,800

The exact cost depends on which of these your tooth needs. Ask your dentist for an itemized estimate so you know what the "crown price" covers and what will appear as separate line items.

What affects the cost of a dental crown?

• Crown material. Material is one of the biggest cost drivers. PFM is usually the least expensive permanent option, while zirconia, all-ceramic, and gold cost more.
• The tooth's location. Molars need strong materials that handle heavy bite forces. Front teeth need natural-looking ceramics, which can cost more to make and shade-match.
• The tooth's condition. A tooth that needs a core buildup, post, or root canal first will cost more in total.
• Technology. Digital scanning and in-office milling for same-day crowns require equipment that practices factor into their fees.
• The dentist's training. A prosthodontist (a crown and bridge specialist) typically charges more than a general dentist.
• Where you live. Dental fees follow local costs for rent, wages, and lab work, so a crown in a large coastal city often costs more than the same crown in a smaller city.

How dental insurance covers dental crowns

Most dental insurance plans treat a crown as a major restorative procedure. According to SmileCosts, most plans cover about 50% of a crown after the deductible, with annual maximums of $1,000 to $2,000 and waiting periods of 6 to 12 months for major services on many plans.

How the math works in practice:

• Deductible. You pay your plan's deductible first, if you haven't met it this year.
• Coinsurance. After that, you pay your share of the plan's allowed fee, often 50% for crowns. Our guide to coinsurance explains how that percentage works.
• Network. In-network dentists have agreed to the plan's fees. An out-of-network dentist can bill you for the difference between their fee and what the plan allows. See in-network vs. out-of-network for details.
• Annual maximum. Once the plan has paid its yearly cap, you pay the rest. A crown plus a root canal on the same tooth can use up much of a $1,000 to $1,500 maximum.
• Frequency limits. Many plans limit how often they'll replace a crown on the same tooth, often once every five years or so. Check your plan's rules.
• Cosmetic crowns. A crown placed only to improve appearance is less likely to be covered.

Example: a $1,300 crown on a plan with a $50 deductible and 50% coverage. You pay the $50 deductible, then 50% of the remaining $1,250 ($625), so your out-of-pocket cost is $675. The plan pays $625, which counts toward your annual maximum.

Before treatment, ask the dental office to send a pre-treatment estimate (sometimes called a predetermination) to your insurance company. It shows what the plan expects to pay, how your insurance benefits apply, and what you'll owe.

Original Medicare doesn't cover most dental care, including crowns. Some Medicare Advantage plans and some state Medicaid programs include dental benefits, so check your specific plan.

Dental crown cost without insurance

Without insurance, you pay the full fee, typically $800 to $2,500 per tooth for the crown itself, plus any add-on work. Options that can lower the bill:

• Compare itemized quotes. Get estimates from two or three dentists and make sure each covers the same items: exam, X-rays, buildup, temporary crown, crown, and follow-up.
• Ask about materials. For a back tooth, PFM may be clinically appropriate and cost less than premium ceramics. Ask your dentist which options fit your tooth.
• Dental schools. Supervised students at dental schools often provide crowns at reduced fees. Visits usually take longer.
• In-office membership plans. Some practices offer an annual membership with discounted fees for patients without insurance.
• Dental discount plans. These aren't insurance, but they give members reduced fees at participating dentists.
• Payment plans and financing options. Many dental offices offer payment plans, and third-party financing is available. Check the interest rate, promotional period, and total cost before you sign.

Putting off a needed crown can make the problem worse. A tooth that fractures or becomes infected may need a root canal or extraction, and replacing an extracted tooth with an implant or bridge usually costs more than the crown would have.

Paying for a crown with an HSA or FSA

IRS Publication 502 counts dental treatments that prevent or treat dental disease as medical expenses, while purely cosmetic procedures don't qualify. Health savings accounts (HSAs) and health flexible spending accounts (FSAs) can generally be used for qualified medical expenses. For the details, including how dental work fits the rules, see our guide to using an HSA or FSA for dental care and our HSA vs. FSA comparison.

If you know a crown is coming, factor it into how much you set aside during open enrollment, and keep your itemized receipt and any explanation of benefits from your dental plan.

How long does a dental crown last?

With proper care, crowns generally last 10 to 15 years, and zirconia and gold crowns can last 15 to 20 years or more, according to SmileCosts. To protect your crown and your oral health:

• Brush twice a day and floss around the edge of the crown, where decay can start.
• Avoid chewing ice and very hard foods.
• Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
• Keep regular dental visits so your dentist can catch problems at the crown's edge early.

Replacing a failed crown can cost as much as the original, or more if decay has spread underneath and the tooth needs additional treatment.

How to get an accurate crown estimate

The final price depends on the crown material, your tooth's condition and location, your dentist, and your plan. Ask your dentist for:

• A written, itemized estimate covering the exam, X-rays, buildup, temporary crown, permanent crown, and follow-up
• Separate line items for any root canal, post and core, or gum treatment
• The procedure codes being billed (for example, D2740 for a porcelain or ceramic crown), so you can compare offices and check coverage
• Whether the price reflects in-network rates for your plan
• A pre-treatment estimate from your insurer, showing what the plan will pay and how much of your annual maximum is left

Planning other dental work? See our guide to how much braces cost.