How much is a crown without insurance?

Sample crown prices by material

We found no national cash price for a crown from a government agency or research group. Some clinics post their fees, and one list shows how much the choice of material can change the bill.

A crown is a cap that covers a tooth. One university dental clinic's 2025-2026 patient fee list charges $1,250 for a porcelain or ceramic crown, which is the tooth-colored kind. Prices at a private dental office near you may be higher or lower. A porcelain crown fused to a metal base costs $1,240 if the metal is a high-noble alloy, which is a gold-rich mix. A full metal crown made of that alloy costs $1,200, and one made of a base metal costs $1,000.

The same list charges $379 for a prefabricated stainless steel crown on a permanent tooth. Prefabricated means the crown comes ready-made instead of being shaped to your tooth in a lab.

Public programs pay amounts that fall between the two ends of that list. North Dakota Medicaid's fee schedule dated July 1, 2026 pays a dentist $766.65 for an adult's porcelain or ceramic crown. Montana Medicaid's schedule dated July 1, 2025 pays $790.40. Those are amounts Medicaid pays dentists, so they are not cash prices.

What a crown is and why people get one

MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, is a health information site. It says a crown is a tooth-shaped cap that sits over your tooth above the gum line. You may need one to support a weak tooth or to improve how a tooth looks. A crown can also hold a bridge in place or cover a tooth that is misshapen or stained.

A crown is often added after a root canal, since the tooth is weaker then. Our guide on the root canal cost explains that part of the bill. Your dentist decides whether you need a crown, and we cannot say.

Why one crown costs more than another

Material is the first reason, and MedlinePlus lists stainless steel, metal, resin, ceramic or porcelain, and porcelain fused to metal as the common kinds. It says metal crowns are strong but do not look natural. Resin crowns cost less but wear down faster. Ceramic crowns match the color of your teeth and suit people with metal allergies.

The fee list above matches that pattern closely. The two metal crowns cost a little less than the porcelain ones, and the stainless steel crown costs the least. Cheaper options may not look like your natural teeth. Ask your dentist what each choice would mean for a tooth in the front and for one in the back.

The number of steps is a second reason. MedlinePlus says a crown usually takes two dental visits. At the first visit, the dentist prepares the tooth and places a temporary crown. At the second, the permanent crown is fitted and cemented. Ask whether both visits are in the price.

The state of the tooth is a third reason. A tooth that is badly damaged may need extra work before the crown can go on. That work is billed on its own, so ask whether the quote includes it.

How long does a crown last?

MedlinePlus says most crowns should last at least 5 years and can last as long as 15 to 20 years. Because a crown may need to be replaced someday, some people compare the price of a longer-lasting material with a cheaper one. Your dentist can help you weigh that choice.

NIDCR notes that fillings and crowns do not last a lifetime and may need to be replaced. Ask the office before you pay what it does if a new crown comes loose, and ask for the answer in writing.

Questions that give you one clear number

A crown quote can leave some costs out of the total. Start by saying that you pay without insurance. Then ask for the self-pay price, which is the price for people who pay on their own.

• Confirm whether the price is for the crown alone or also includes the exam, X-rays and numbing.
• Find out which material the price is for and what the other materials cost.
• Check whether the temporary crown is included and whether you pay for both visits up front.
• See if the tooth needs any other work first and what that would cost.
• Learn whether you can pay in parts and whether interest will be added.

Our guide on asking for the cash price has a phone script for these questions. Write down each answer with the date and the name of the person who gave it.

Ways to pay less for a crown

Dental school clinics have students do the work with licensed teachers watching. A dental school clinic's page says its fees are normally 40 to 60 percent below private practice fees. Expect longer visits there, and ask how many appointments the crown will take.

Community health centers charge by income, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration. Some offer dental care and some do not, so call before you go. Our community health centers guide shows how to find the nearest one. Our guide on dental care without insurance lists more low-cost places to try.

According to Medicare, Original Medicare generally does not cover routine dental care. Medicaid for adults depends on the state, and children enrolled in Medicaid must receive dental care that includes restoring teeth. If a bill has arrived, our guide on negotiating medical bills also applies to dental bills.

Our directory and urgent tooth problems

Dentists are not in our directory, which lists physicians. A doctor can still look at pain or swelling in your face and point you to the right care. Our directory has a page where you can search for a cash-pay doctor.

If a tooth infection comes with a fever and swelling in your face and you cannot reach a dentist, go to an emergency room. Trouble breathing or swallowing is a reason to call 911 or go to the ER right away, because the infection may be spreading. Call 911 or go to the nearest ER in any emergency.