Dental crowns: cost?

[JTK]

Tdbo, it sounds about right. It's about $1000/tooth. Even root canals aren't necessarily forever. I smacked my front (top 3) teeth badly as a child that required 3 root canals and subsequently 3 crowns. I've been through 3 sets of replacements in 35+yrs. Last time I had nice porcelain veneers done, one (or more?) of my very old root canals started to abscess again. Instead of destroying the brand-new $3000 worth of veneers, a local very good oral surgeon did an apicoectomy, where they went in through the gum instead of the tooth. I'd rather have a lit cigar enema than go through that discomfort again.

'Nothin cheap about teef.

 

[Blaze]

funny...I cracked a molar in a dirt bike accident in the 80's. Was supposed to have it either crowned, pulled or see about a possible root canal. They put a temp filling in and 35 yrs later still there!

 

[Kuato]

Price seems in line; I have had 2 crowns and they were 1450 and 1500, most recently 2008.

Root canal not required since the tooth is still alive and well....just replacing the outside covering

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: Kuato


Root canal not required since the tooth is still alive and well....just replacing the outside covering


My wife got one a few years ago. I can't remember the price, but I think it was over $1000 before insurance.

In her case, like Kuato, no root canal needed. It was a chip on the top of the tooth that required them to grind the top smooth and put on a crown.

 

[cjcride]

You might be grinding your teeth when sleeping. The dentist can make you a mouthguard for that.

I read a magazine article a while back regarding Medical/Dental work being done in other countries for a fraction of the cost. In Canada you would save 30% on the exchange rate alone.

 

[Merkava_4]

I got two in my mouth; they're about $900 each. I didn't get the porcelain kind; I got gold and made the guy polish them. I figure as long as I'm paying the price of jewelry, they oughtta look like jewelry.

 

[69GTX]

$1300-$1450 per crown in my neck of the woods from a quality, independent dentist. If you want to get it done at cheaper ones that do work for the state under Medicare, etc...it might be around half of that amount. You typically get what you pay for in the end.

I've had 2 crowns done. Both due to large, 45 yr fillings that could no longer be patched or replaced. Now that my dentist purchased the crown making equipment, it can all be done on one visit. The first crown they did for me had to made off site somewhere. When it came back it didn't fit properly. It took 3 separate trips to get than one done.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: UncleDave

I was correcting my own "spellin" error.
What material is your made of - do you know?

lol..my bad.

I think it is ceramic.

 

[steveh]

I paid $2,300 for a crown and a root canal about 5 years ago.

 

[Bud]

Originally Posted By: steveh
I paid $2,300 for a crown and a root canal about 5 years ago.


Exactly what I paid two years ago for both.

 

[sciphi]

Sounds about right. My dentist charges about $900-1000 depending on the complexity. Not looking forward to getting #2 put on in a few weeks.

 

[Doc8404]

$2200 for root canal here.
1030 for cerec crown.
Insurance is 50-80%

 

[DuckRyder]

That sounds pretty close to right for a "cubic zirconia" crown, perhaps slightly high. It is very high for a metal or porcelain crown.

Dental insurance typically only pays for a metal one and you typically pay for the upgrade cost and coinsurance/deductible.

 

[KD0AXS]

About 3 years ago I had a tooth that broke. It my far back molar on the top right. My dentist gave me the option to either have it pulled or to do a root canal and crown. Since it was all the way in the back, I opted to just have it pulled. Coincidentally, I still have my wisdom teeth. My wisdom tooth grew perfectly into the empty space so I now have a full set of teeth again.

 

[RamFan]

Just asked my wife who is a Dental Hygienist and no, $1,300 isn't unreasonable for a crown. However, she questions your insurance, for them to only cover $400 is really bad coverage according to her.

 

[fdcg27]

Dentists, like all health care providers, are mechanics.
As with the guy who you might pay to work on your car, if you happen upon a good dentist or internist, then you stay with them.
You don't worry about them making a little gravy on any given job. They will have earned that over the years of comping you many little things.
We've used the same dentist for nearly three decades now. He knows our history and he knows our pain tolerance. My wife hates any sort of dental work, while our guy tells me that I have a very high pain tolerance.
Anyway, if you're happy with the dentist and have been seeing him for some years, I'd be inclined to listen to what he's telling you and what it'll cost, just as you would with any trusted mechanic.
As with your vehicles, there are cheap and dirty fixes that may not be cheaper in the longer term. You'll likely see another three decades. Don't cheap out on your teeth this early in the game.
Just my two pence.

 

[CKN]

Originally Posted By: racin4ds
Just got slammed by a crown by my dentist a few months ago.. first off I had no idea this particular dentist wasn't "In network" and they didn't bother to tell me either. I get a temp filling in the tooth and told the crown would be in within 2 weeks of my full payment...

I go to the front desk where I find that I owe $685!! I almost choked. My insurance only covered 50% since they weren't in the network. What a [censored] joke! Hate dentists and always will. Still haven't paid the bill and still no crown...


Some people go to an "out of network" provider for various reasons. Most health/dental plans have a website where it takes 5 minutes to look to see if a provider is in "network". They may not provide the crown until you pay the bill. The temporary filling is just that-temporary and you will need the crown sooner or later.

The dentist will have to pay his provider for the crown within 30 days.

 

[Lapham3]

FWIW-In the early 70's my wife was a dental assistant and later taught and then involved with the state dental board and also evaluating dental schools around the country. She has said a number of times that as the dental materials have continued to improve, teeth can often be 'saved' where before a crown would have been indicated. Sometimes the dentist is thinking about that new boat and other times, they aren't keeping up withe the latest technology.

 

[SZR48207]

That price is not out of the ballpark.

Did he mention what material it is? Also are you a candidate for an onlay instead of a crown? They are a smidge cheaper.

I have a gold molar crown that I've been wearing for probably 15 years now and it has grown with me. The only problem I've had (knock on wood) is the glue came loose while I was on vacation. Called my dentist and he said come on in, we'll fix it for free. Not bad.

 

[Alfred_B]

The quoted price doesn't sound bad.

In medical care, price should not be the determinant of the procedure. Look for a dentist who knows what he or she is doing and is someone you can trust.

You don't want to save a few dollars today and then end up suffering in the future. Your most precious asset in this life is your health.