When a dentist recommends a crown, one of the first questions patients ask is how much does a dental crown cost. Several factors can affect crown pricing, including:
- The advertised dental crown price
- Total treatment cost
- The out-of-pocket amount after any insurance reimbursement
Understanding each cost factor ensures you can make fully informed decisions about your care.
At Only Crowns, we offer affordable dental crowns for a single flat fee of $799 per tooth, which includes required X-rays or digital scans and any necessary core build-up. We do not bill insurance directly, however, we do provide the documentation you need to submit your own claim. Dental crown financing through SurePay Finance is also available to help manage expenses.
What Is the Average Cost of a Dental Crown?
The cost of a dental crown in the United States typically ranges from $900 to $2,500 per tooth, depending on material, provider, and geographic location.
Average porcelain crown costs vary across individual states, for example:
- Idaho: $1,435 per tooth
- Nevada: $1,417 per tooth
- Utah: $1,452 per tooth
Our current cash price dental crown rate is $799 per tooth at all locations. That fee covers required imaging, core build-up when needed, and same-day zirconia crown placement, with no itemized add-ons for standard crown components.
If you have insurance, your actual out-of-pocket cost of a crown per tooth may be less than the initial fee once you submit a reimbursement claim.
Three Crown Cost Concepts Every Patient Should Understand
Before reviewing any price, we recommend distinguishing three separate figures that providers, insurers, and patients each mean when discussing overall costs:
- Advertised Dental Crown Price: This is the per-tooth fee the practice charges for the crown restoration itself. Whether X-rays, build-ups, or preparatory steps are bundled into a crown fee varies by practice.
- Total Treatment Cost: The total treatment cost includes the crown fee plus any separately billed procedures required before or during crown placement, such as a root canal, extraction, or sedation. Not every patient requires these, and not every provider includes them in the crown price.
- Dental Crown Cost With Insurance: If you have dental coverage, your insurance company will likely cover a portion of the bill. Whatever is left over becomes your out-of-pocket expense. Exactly how much you’ll end up paying comes down to your specific policy, including your plan’s coverage percentage, deductible, annual maximum, and where you stand in your benefit year.
These three numbers can be the same or substantially different. We encourage patients to confirm each figure before their appointment date.
What Factors Affect Dental Crown Cost?
Several variables influence the final price a patient pays for a dental crown, and not all of them apply to every case:
- Crown Material: Crowns can be made out of different materials. Zirconia (the material we use at Only Crowns) offers exceptional durability and a natural appearance. At other practices, the average zirconia crown cost typically carries a higher price tag than metal alloys or porcelain-fused-to-metal options.
- Tooth Condition and Preparatory Work: A tooth that has experienced significant decay or a prior root canal treatment may require a core build-up or post-and-core before crown placement. Core build-up is included in our standard fee; root canal therapy is not.
- Imaging and Diagnostics: X-rays and digital 3D scans assess the tooth prior to and during treatment. These are fully included in our flat fee.
- Geographic Location: Provider overhead, regional wages, and equipment costs vary across the country.
- Additional Procedures: Extractions, gum disease treatment, sedation, and implant components are separate services at most practices. We confirm during your dental crown consultation which, if any, apply to your specific case.
What Is Included in the Dental Crown Cost at Only Crowns?
The table below outlines exactly what is covered in our flat fee versus services that may be billed separately. Use this checklist to see what to expect before your appointment.
| Cost Component | Included at Only Crowns ($799) | May Be Billed Separately |
| Same-day zirconia crown (CEREC milled, in-office) | ✓ | — |
| Required X-rays / digital scans | ✓ | — |
| Core build-up (if necessary) | ✓ | — |
| Local anesthesia for crown placement | ✓ | — |
| Root canal therapy | — | ✓ (if required) |
| Tooth extraction | — | ✓ (if required) |
| Sedation beyond standard local anesthesia | — | ✓ (if requested) |
| Gum disease treatment | — | ✓ (if required) |
| Implant abutment / components | — | ✓ (implant crown cases) |
| Outside-provider referral costs | — | ✓ (as applicable) |
We do not perform every ancillary dental service. If your tooth requires a root canal or other care beyond our scope of practice, we will inform you before any treatment begins.
Same-Day Crowns vs. Traditional Lab-Made Crowns
A traditional crown process involves two appointments: one to prepare the tooth and make an impression, and a second to place the permanent crown after a dental lab fabricates it. A temporary crown is worn in between. The lab fee, temporary crown, and second-visit cost may each appear as separate line items in a traditional billing model.
At Only Crowns, we respect your time. Using advanced CEREC technology, we craft and place your permanent zirconia crown in just 90 minutes. You won’t have to wear a temporary crown, wait on an outside lab, or schedule a follow-up visit. Everything is done in one streamlined appointment, and our flat rate covers it all.
Dental Crown Cost With Insurance
Most dental insurance plans classify crown placement as a major restorative procedure and cover approximately 50% of the allowed amount, subject to annual maximums.
Because we are a fee-for-service, out-of-network practice, you pay the flat rate at the time of your appointment. We then provide full documentation for your dental crown insurance coverage claim submission:
- A detailed receipt
- Applicable procedure codes
- X-rays and any clinical documentation your insurer requires
You submit the claim directly to your insurance company, and your insurer sends the reimbursement check straight to you.
Before scheduling, we recommend confirming the following with your insurer:
- Your coverage percentage and the plan’s allowed amount for crown procedures
- Whether your annual deductible has been met
- How much of your annual maximum remains for the benefit year
- Any waiting periods for major restorative services
- Replacement frequency limits (many plans allow one crown per tooth every 5 to 7 years)
- Whether pre-authorization is required before treatment
- How your plan handles out-of-network claims and patient-submitted reimbursements
Dental Crown Cost Without Insurance
If you do not have coverage, your dental crown cost without insurance at Only Crowns is covered in the flat rate, which is all-inclusive for standard crown components as outlined above. You will receive a clear breakdown before treatment begins.
Patients seeking self-pay options may also consider the following options:
- HSA or FSA: Crown restorations qualify as eligible expenses under most Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts.
- Dental Crown Financing: Programs like SurePay Finance allow you to spread payments over time in manageable installments.
- Written Pre-Treatment Estimate: Confirms all inclusions and identifies any potential add-on costs before your appointment date.
Financing and Dental Crown Payment Plans
We accept cash, check, and major credit or debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), as well as HSA and FSA funds.
For patients seeking dental crown payment plans to spread the investment over time, we offer third-party financing through SurePay Finance:
- Application: Typically under 10 minutes with instant approval decisions
- Terms: 12-month terms with a 90-day same-as-cash option and a 120-day early-pay promotional option for qualified patients
- Flexible Schedules: Choose weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly payment options
- No Prepayment Penalties: Pay off the balance early anytime and pay only accrued interest
How to Prepare Financially for Your Crown: Step-by-Step
- Request the fee in writing. Confirm what is included and whether any preparatory procedures may be billed separately before you schedule.
- Verify your dental crown insurance coverage. Ask about your coverage percentage, deductible status, remaining annual maximum, and out-of-network claim policies.
- Request procedure codes in advance. We provide these so you can verify your benefits before your appointment date.
- Apply for financing if needed. Options for dental crown financing take approximately 10 minutes and return instant decisions.
- Confirm payment timing. At Only Crowns, payment is due at the time of service.
- Bring your HSA or FSA card if applicable, as crown restorations qualify as eligible medical expenses.
Example Scenarios
These scenarios are illustrative only. Actual costs depend on your specific treatment needs, recommended dental crown, and insurance plan.
Scenario A — No Insurance, Standard Crown
A patient needs a crown on a damaged molar. During the consultation, the team confirms the tooth requires a core build-up. At Only Crowns, the total charge is $799 because the build-up is included in the flat fee. The patient pays $799 on the day of their 90-minute appointment.
Scenario B — Dental Insurance, Out-of-Network Reimbursement
Let’s say a patient has a dental plan that covers 50% of major restorative care. They pay $799 upfront on the day of their appointment, and we hand them an itemized receipt, procedure codes, and clinical notes. After submitting those documents to their insurer, the insurance company sends a reimbursement check straight to their mailbox, reducing their actual out-of-pocket cost.
Scenario C — Crown Following Root Canal Treatment
If a tooth is severely damaged or infected, it might need a root canal before it’s ready for a crown. In this scenario, the patient needs to see a specialist for the root canal procedure at that doctor’s standard rate.
Once the tooth is treated and prepped, they can come to Only Crowns to finish the restoration. Our flat rate covers the core build-up and the permanent zirconia crown. This keeps the final step simple and predictable, even when two different dental offices are involved.
Patient Pre-Appointment Cost Checklist
Before your appointment, confirm the following:
- Written fee confirmed, including what is covered by the $799 charge
- Details for dental crown insurance coverage verified (coverage %, deductible status, annual max remaining)
- Procedure codes obtained from Only Crowns for pre-verification
- Payment method ready: card, check, cash, HSA/FSA, or financing approval in hand
- Any questions about additional procedures answered before your appointment date
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crown Cost
How much does a dental crown cost on average?
The national average cost of a dental crown ranges from $900 to $2,500 per tooth, depending on material, provider, and location. At Only Crowns, we charge a single flat rate of $799 per crown, which includes diagnostic imaging and core build-up when needed.
What is the average dental crown cost with and without insurance?
Without insurance, you pay the full crown fee at the time of service. Because Only Crowns operates as an out-of-network, fee-for-service practice, patients with insurance pay the $799 upfront as well. We then provide itemized claim documentation (including procedure codes and digital X-rays) so your insurer can reimburse you directly according to your policy’s major restorative coverage.
What is included in the flat dental crown cost at Only Crowns?
Our $799 fee includes your same-day zirconia crown, required X-rays or digital scans, local anesthesia, and a core build-up if necessary.
Does the dental crown price include a root canal?
No. A root canal, if required before crown placement, is a separate procedure. We confirm whether a root canal is needed during your initial dental crown consultation before any treatment begins.
Is there an extra charge, or is the same-day dental crown cost higher?
No. Unlike traditional practices that may charge premium fees or lab expediting costs, our same-day dental crown cost is a flat fee of $799 per tooth. This includes in-office CEREC design, milling, and placement in a single 90-minute appointment with no temporary crowns or second visits required.
Why are solid zirconia crowns often more expensive at traditional dental offices? Traditional dental practices typically source zirconia crowns from outside dental laboratories, adding lab fees, shipping costs, and multi-appointment overhead to the overall price (often pushing costs to $1,400–$2,500). By specializing exclusively in crowns and milling high-strength zirconia in-house, Only Crowns eliminates intermediary lab markups.
Can I use my Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for a crown?
Yes. Dental crowns are considered qualified medical expenses under most HSA and FSA plans. You can pay using your HSA/FSA card directly at the time of service, or use account funds in combination with other accepted payment methods.
What payment options and third-party financing plans are available?
We accept cash, personal checks, major credit/debit cards, and HSA/FSA funds. For patients who prefer to split their investment into monthly installments, we partner with SurePay Finance to offer flexible payment plans, including 12-month terms and a 90-day same-as-cash option with no prepayment penalties.
How does financing affect the total cost of a dental crown?
Financing changes the timing of your payments rather than reducing the total treatment price. While your upfront out-of-pocket cost is minimized, interest charges or promotional financing fees may apply depending on the term length and provider approval, which can alter the overall amount paid over time.
Does Only Crowns offer dental crown payment plans?
Yes. Through SurePay Finance, qualified patients can set up flexible dental crown payment plans (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly).
How do I find same-day crowns near me?
If you are searching for same-day crowns, Only Crowns operates in locations across Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and Idaho. You can visit our locations page to find the practice that best suits you.
How do I get an exact cost estimate or schedule a consultation?
You can schedule an evaluation online or call us directly. During your visit, our team will examine your tooth, confirm whether a crown is appropriate, identify any necessary separate care, and provide a clear, written cost breakdown before treatment begins.
Schedule Your Dental Crown Consultation Today
Our team at Only Crowns believes patients should fully understand their treatment investment before the treatment. Once we have examined your tooth, we can explain the recommended treatment, what is included in the crown fee, and if any separate dental care may be required.
Whether you need a new restoration or want to find top-rated dental crowns near me at a transparent price, we are here to help. Contact us today to schedule your dental crown consultation at any of our clinics and restore your smile with confidence.