Anyone else shocked by the cost of dental crowns?

I was quoted anywhere from $500 to $2,500 for a dental crown… Does that seem normal? I don’t have insurance, so I’m worried about paying out of pocket. Anyone else been in this boat?

Yeah, that’s pretty standard. I had one done a few months ago for $1,200. It’s crazy expensive! If you don’t have insurance, some dentists offer discounts, but they’re usually not huge.

Tyler said:
Yeah, that’s pretty standard. I had one done a few months ago for $1,200. It’s crazy expensive! If you don’t have insurance, some dentists offer discounts, but they’re usually not huge.

Oof, $1,200?! What was it made of?

@Bailey
Mine was a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. I thought about going with the cheaper metal one, but my dentist said it wouldn’t look great, especially on a front tooth.

I got a gold alloy crown for a molar, and it was around $1,400. It’s supposed to last longer, but the cost still stung, lol. Does anyone know if dental schools offer cheaper options?

Tai said:
I got a gold alloy crown for a molar, and it was around $1,400. It’s supposed to last longer, but the cost still stung, lol. Does anyone know if dental schools offer cheaper options?

Yeah, dental schools can be a good bet if you’re comfortable with students doing the work. It’s way cheaper. They’re supervised by professionals, so it’s still safe.

@Ash
That’s actually good to know. I might look into it. Do they charge a lot less, or just a little?

Tai said:
@Ash
That’s actually good to know. I might look into it. Do they charge a lot less, or just a little?

Depends on the school, but I paid about half of what I was quoted at a regular clinic. It’s definitely worth checking out!

Has anyone looked into payment plans? I couldn’t afford the full cost upfront, but my dentist let me pay over 6 months. Helped a ton.

Hal said:
Has anyone looked into payment plans? I couldn’t afford the full cost upfront, but my dentist let me pay over 6 months. Helped a ton.

Same here! I used my FSA to cover part of it, then split the rest over a few months. It was a relief not having to pay all at once.

Ty said:
If it’s purely cosmetic, insurance won’t help much, unfortunately. I learned that the hard way. Had to get mine for a root canal, though, so it was partly covered.

Yeah, insurance only steps in if it’s medically necessary, right? My cousin was in the same situation—paid out of pocket because hers was for cosmetic reasons.

One thing I’d suggest is asking your dentist about material options. Some are more affordable than others, like metal crowns for back teeth. I went with that for my molar, and it saved me a couple hundred bucks.

@Rowan
Good point! I was offered an all-porcelain crown for my front tooth, but I opted for the porcelain-infused one to save some cash.