Which Crown Reigns Supreme? Comparing Different Types of Dental Crowns and Their Costs

Dental crowns provide a sturdy, natural-looking solution to restore your beautiful smile. However, there are many types of dental crowns. You have options from porcelain to metal to Zirconia. Their average cost is around $1300 to $2050 in the US.

So the questions stand: How much do dental crowns cost? Are they all the same? Which one is best for you?

In this article, we’re going to answer those questions. We’ll help you understand the different types of crowns. We’ll also discuss their pros and cons to help you decide which one is best for you.

We’ll also look into how much they cost and what factors affect the price of the procedure. And lastly, we’ll give you tips on how to save on these costs. So read on. This will help you get your new beautiful smile for less.

When Do You Need a Crown?

There are many reasons that can lead to the placement of a crown. For example, your dentist may recommend a crown in the following situations:

• To repair a fractured or otherwise damaged tooth
• To cover a tooth that has a large filling
• To protect a tooth after a root canal treatment
• To cover the abutment of a dental implant

Can you skip the crown? Well, yes, you can. However, it comes with consequences.
Your tooth can:

• Remain susceptible to further damage or infection
• Cause discomfort during regular daily activities
• Lose its ability to function normally as a tooth
• Impact your bite
• Diminish the aesthetics of your smile

Types of Dental Crowns, Their Costs, and Pros and Cons

You have many options for the crown material. They all vary in cost, aesthetics, and durability.

Below are the four most common types used in dentistry these days.

Porcelain Crowns

The most common type of crown and widely used nowadays. These crowns are purely porcelain material. They cost around $1,300 to $2,300 per tooth here in the US.

Advantages of Porcelain Crowns

• considered the finest and most aesthetically pleasing option
• closely resembles your natural teeth
• ideal for cosmetic dentistry (front teeth)
• closely resemble neighboring teeth in terms of size, color, and shape
• do not contain any metal and are biocompatible

Disadvantages of Porcelain Crowns

• not as durable as metal crowns (they can last a long time with proper maintenance)
• not suitable if you have bruxism
• end to be more expensive compared to other types, such as metal crowns

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns (PFM)

These crowns combine the strength of metal and the aesthetics of the porcelain coating covering the cap. These can cost from $1,000 to $1,6000 per tooth.

Advantages of PFM

• many insurance policies cover this type of crown; other types are considered upgrades and may not be covered
• provide exceptional durability and aesthetic appeal
• has a track record of 50+ years
• more affordable compared to all-porcelain crowns

Disadvantages of PFM

• less aesthetic, not as translucent
• the metal base can potentially result in a gray line near the gum line
• not ideal for front teeth restoration
• your dentist needs to remove a bit more dental tissues to prep your teeth for this crown

Zirconia Crowns

These relatively new Zirconia crowns combine the aesthetics of porcelain crowns and the strength of metal. These are a bit more expensive. They cost around $1,500 to $2,600 per tooth.

Advantages of Zirconia Crowns

• exceptional aesthetic appeal
• long-lasting and strong, with reduced risks of chipping or breaking
• Zirconia allows for in-house cutting and shaping, potentially reducing the procedure time and eliminating the need to send them to a dental lab
• less prone to deterioration over time
• metal-free and biocompatible, unlikely to cause allergic reactions

Disadvantages of Zirconia Crowns

• can cause wear on opposing dental arch
• adjustments to solid zirconia crowns can pose challenges
• solid zirconia is slightly opaque, which makes it difficult to match other teeth’s color.

E-Max Crowns

These are the latest advancement in dental crowns. They are now widely used in dentistry. These all-ceramic crowns are made from lithium disilicate. They are also lightweight and thin. They range from $1,200 to $1,800 per tooth.

Advantages of E-Max Crowns

• provide outstanding aesthetics
• create a fantastic appearance in your mouth
• durable and have a long lifespan
• offer an excellent choice for both front and back teeth
• require minimal prepping for your teeth

Disadvantages of E-Max Crowns

• additional costs for preparation might be involved
• not a good choice if more than one tooth needs to be replaced

Cost Factors When Getting Dental Crowns

So how much do you need to pay when getting a dental crown? There is no national standard price. There are many factors that affect the cost.
Here are some of them.

#1. Type of dental crown: Porcelain or ceramic crowns are more expensive than metal ones. Also, choosing custom-made crowns instead of pre-fabricated ones requires additional laboratory work and time. This can increase the cost.

#2. Number of crowns needed: The cost of dental crowns is computed per tooth. The more crowns you need, the higher the cost.

#3. Location of dental practice: The cost of dental work is higher in places with high costs of living. Dental facilities need to keep up with the lease, labor, and other overhead costs. For example, dental care is more expensive in New York than in Oklahoma.

#4. Experience and expertise of the dentist: Experienced and expert dentists charge a premium for their services. This is the price you pay for precision, personalized care, and proven track records of success rate.

#5. Additional procedures and materials required: You might need additional procedures. This depends on your treatment plan. These procedures are likely to increase the costs.

Here are the additional procedures and their costs.

US Cost of Additional Procedures and Materials for Dental Crowns

Yes, this treatment is not inexpensive. But there are many ways to save on the cost. Let’s explore these.

How to Save on Costs for Dental Crowns

We understand that dental work can be financially demanding. This is why we compiled these tips for you to save on cost. These tips have helped thousands of patients like you get quality dental care for less.

#1. Get quotes from different dental offices: Ask for treatment plans from different dental clinics. Compare these prices. Remember, choose the one with the best overall value, not the cheapest one. It’s always quality first, price second.

#2. Explore other dental practice locations: Also ask for quotes from dental facilities from outside your neighborhood. You might find more practical options in other cities or states.

#3. Choose specific materials for your needs: Using PFM for teeth that need less aesthetics, like molars, can help you save costs. You can choose porcelain or Zirconia crowns for your front teeth for aesthetics.

#4. Use your dental insurance if you have one: Some dental insurance companies may cover crowns. If not, your insurance can still cover the additional procedures like, consultation, X-Ray, and cleaning.

#5. Get dental savings plans: You can get discounts using these plans. However, don’t go with the first plan you come across with. Explore different savings plans and compare their benefits, terms and conditions, and prices.

#6. Apply for dental financing: This can help you save on upfront costs. It will also help you spread the costs over several months. Compare different financing companies’ loan terms, interest rates, and payment terms and conditions.

#7. Go to Mexico: The cost of dental crowns is significantly lower in Mexico. You can save up to 50–70% on costs.

But is going to Mexico for dental crowns really worth it? Our experience with dental tourism since 2006 tells us that it is. Let’s explore the top reasons.

Why Go to Mexico for Dental Crowns

Getting your dental crowns done in Mexico is a safe, efficient, and practical alternative. You enjoy many benefits. Here are some of them.

#1. You can save up to 50–70% on your dental treatments: Dental crowns, other necessary procedures and materials, and dentist professional fees are significantly less in Mexico. Here’s a preview of how much you can save.

Dental Crowns Cost Comparison: US vs Mexico

TIP: Did you know? We have negotiated preferred prices with our partner dentists for you. They agreed to give you a 3–10% discount on what they normally charge their regular patients for major procedures. This means you get to save even more.

#2. You get treatments from US-trained and recognized dentists: Many trusted Mexico dentists have the same or even better experience and expertise as your local dentists. In fact, many of them are graduates of NYU, UCLA, Loma Linda, and UPenn.

TIP: We’ve partnered with Mexico’s top 5% dentists. They are former and current professors, guest speakers, and organizational leaders who set the forefront of dentistry. For example, Dr. Jorge Carrasco was a clinical professor of dentistry at a prestigious dental university in Mexico. He was also the President of ADM (Mexico’s State Dental Association) in 2008, a privilege given to only a handful of doctors for their leadership and dedication to advancing dentistry.

#3. You get guarantees for your dental work: Many Mexico dental professionals offer guarantees for their work. This means you can always go back to them for revision in case your dental work fails. This kind of guarantee is uncommon with many US dentists.

TIP: Dentists in our network offer a 5 Year Guarantee. You get the peace of mind that your dental investments are protected.

#4. You can get your dental crowns faster: Did you know you can get your permanent dental crowns as early as one week in Mexico? You can go there on a Monday and get your permanent crowns as early as Friday. You can even enjoy a week-long vacation in Cancun while you’re at it.

Many dental offices in Mexico also offer same-day or next-day crowns if you qualify.

TIP: Going to Cancun for dental crowns? We suggest going there on a Sunday. This will give you time to rest before your appointment starts on a Monday. This way, all your other procedures can be scheduled within the same week without waiting for the weekend to pass.

#5. Proximity to the US: There are many trusted dental clinics just a few blocks away from the border in Los Algodones, just like our dental partner, Parra Implant Center with Dr. De La Toba. You can just drive to the border, park your car on the US side, and walk to your chosen dental clinic. If you prefer to go to Tijuana, you can take an Uber or a cab to your chosen dental clinic from the border.

TIP: Don’t forget to bring your passport. You’ll need it to cross the border back to the US from Mexico.

Conclusion

Understanding the different types of dental crowns and their costs helps you make informed decision-making. Exploring your options, consulting with different dentists, and considering insurance coverage or discount plans can help you manage expenses.

Want to know more about going to Mexico for affordable dental crowns? Contact us today at 877-987-3296 to discuss this with our team. We can help you in every step of your smile transformation journey to Mexico.

References and Further Readings

1. Abdulrahman, S., Mahm, C. V. S., Talabani, R., & Abdulateef, D. (2021, December 7). Evaluation of the clinical success of four different types of lithium disilicate ceramic restorations: A retrospective study. BioMed Central.
2. Alrashdi, M., Ardoin, J., & Liu, J. A. (2021). Zirconia crowns for children: A systematic review. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 32(1), 66–81.
3. Fernandes, N., Sykes, L., & Valley, Z. (2015). The longevity of restorations: A literature review. The Journal of the Dental Association of South Africa, 70. 410–413.
4. Lindberg, S. (2021, January 19). How long does a crown last? average lifespan of a dental crown. Healthline.
5. Makhija, S. K., Lawson, N. C., Gilbert, G. H., Litaker, M. S., McClelland, J. A., Louis, D. R., Gordan, V. V., Pihlstrom, D. J., Meyerowitz, C., Mungia, R., McCracken, M. S., & National Dental PBRN Collaborative Group (2016). Dentist material selection for single-unit crowns: Findings from the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. Journal of Dentistry, 55, 40–47.
6. Pjetursson, B. E., Sailer, I., Zwahlen, M., & Hämmerle, C. H. (2007). A systematic review of the survival and complication rates of all-ceramic and metal-ceramic reconstructions after an observation period of at least 3 years. part I: Single crowns. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 18, 73–85.