Dental Crown Cost in 2026: Prices by Material

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Prices checked October 22, 2026. By Lorenzo Beux.

Short answer: A porcelain or ceramic crown costs $1,015 to $2,670 in the US, with a national average of $1,560. Metal-based crowns are often a little cheaper, around $1,090 to $1,250 in one Florida sample. A build-up, if you need one, adds a few hundred dollars. A dental savings plan can bring a $1,468 crown down to $524 to $852 at participating dentists.

Dental savings plans are not insurance. A plan gives you discounts only at participating dentists. It does not pay the dentist for you, and you pay for all services at the discounted rate. Prices, discounts and dentists vary by plan and ZIP code.

Compare dental savings plans and what you would pay

Dental crown cost by material

Every crown has a procedure code that names its material. The code on your estimate tells you what you are buying. Here are the prices we could verify.

Crown typeCodeTypical priceWhere the price comes from
Porcelain/ceramicD2740$1,015–$2,670, average $1,560National, Pearl
Porcelain/ceramicD2740$1,387Orlando, Humana
Full gold (full cast high noble metal)D2790$1,440Orlando, Humana
Porcelain fused to noble metalD2752$1,248Orlando, Humana
Porcelain fused to high noble metalD2750$1,192Orlando, Humana
Porcelain fused to base metalD2751$1,091Orlando, Humana
Porcelain fused to high noble metalD2750$1,468Houston sample usual fee
Porcelain fused to noble metalD2752$1,517Houston sample usual fee
Core build-up, if neededD2950$375Houston sample usual fee
Sources: Pearl national average from ADA fee survey data (May 2026); Humana pricing tool, Orlando (page updated June 2026); DentalPlans.com sample fees, ZIP 77002 (October 2026).

Pearl’s national figure is for a ceramic crown. We could not find a reliable national price for zirconia or gold alone, so we leave those out rather than guess.

Which crown material is right for you?

Price is only part of it. Cleveland Clinic describes the main options this way:

  • Metal or gold. These rarely chip or break and last the longest in terms of wear. The drawback is the metal color, so they suit back molars.
  • Porcelain fused to metal. Metal strength with a tooth-colored surface. The porcelain can chip and show the metal underneath. Used on front and back teeth.
  • All-ceramic or porcelain. Looks most like natural enamel. A good fit for people with metal allergies.
  • Zirconia. A ceramic that handles heavier forces than other ceramics and is gentle on opposing teeth.
  • Resin. Generally less expensive but more fragile. Often used for temporary crowns.
  • Same-day crowns. Milled in the office from a ceramic block in one visit. They are not right for everyone.

Cleveland Clinic says crowns last five to 15 years on average with good care. Some last much longer. Ask your dentist which material fits the tooth, your bite and your budget.

What raises or lowers the price

  • Material. In the Orlando sample, the gap between the cheapest and priciest crown is about $350.
  • Tooth location. Pearl notes front teeth may cost more.
  • Lab or in-office. Lab quality and same-day milling both change the fee, per Pearl.
  • Extra work. Pearl lists the build-up, a root canal, sedation and crown lengthening as separate charges.
  • Where you live. The same D2750 crown is $1,192 in Orlando and $1,468 in the Houston sample.
  • The dentist. Fees vary from office to office, even in the same city.

Many crowns follow a root canal. If that is your case, our root canal and crown cost guide adds up the full bill. A crown also anchors each end of a dental bridge and sits on top of a dental implant.

Crown cost with dental insurance

Humana says most dental plans use a 100/80/50 model. Preventive care is paid at 100% and basic work at 80%. Major work like crowns is paid at up to 50%. Pearl adds that coverage depends on medical need, such as a crack, a large filling or a root canal. A purely cosmetic crown may not be covered.

  • Yearly maximum. ADA News reports 32.8% of plans cap benefits at $1,000 to $1,500. Another 48.2% cap them at $1,500 to $2,500.
  • Waiting period. Humana says most insurers wait 6 or 12 months before covering major care such as crowns.
  • Premiums. The 2026 average is $49.60 a month, per Becker’s Dental Review. That is about $595 a year.

Our dental insurance guide explains deductibles, maximums and waiting periods in plain English.

Crown cost with a dental savings plan

A savings plan is a yearly membership with reduced fees at participating dentists. There is no yearly maximum, no deductible and no waiting period once the plan is active. Activation usually takes one to two business days.

Plan (yearly fee)Crown, usual → planBuild-up, usual → plan
Aetna Dental Access ($154.95 + $20)D2750: $1,468 → $852$375 → $147
Careington Care 500 ($184.95 + $20)D2750: $1,468 → $524; D2752: $1,517 → $497$375 → $126
Aetna Vital Savings ($184.95 + $20)$1,433 → $588Not listed
Humana Dental Savings, Sam’s Club ($49.92)Members typically save 20% to 40%
Sources: DentalPlans.com sample general-dentist fees, ZIP 77002 (Aetna Vital Savings: ZIP 67570), checked October 22, 2026; Humana Sam’s Club plan page.

Fees vary by dentist and ZIP code. Check that your dentist participates first. See our ranking of the best dental savings plans for more options.

Worked example: one crown with a build-up

Say your dentist recommends a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown (D2750) and a build-up. Using the Houston sample fees, that is $1,468 + $375 = $1,843.

With insurance (an example plan, not a quote). Assume a $50 deductible, 50% coverage and a $1,500 yearly maximum. The plan pays ($1,843 − $50) × 50% = $896.50. You pay $946.50 at the office. Add about $595 in yearly premiums, and your year costs about $1,541.70. A lower in-network fee would shrink your share. A waiting period could push the crown out 6 to 12 months.

With a savings plan. On Aetna Dental Access, you pay $852 + $147 = $999. With the first year’s $174.95 fee, the total is $1,173.95. On Careington Care 500, you pay $524 + $126 = $650, or $854.95 with the first-year fee.

Your numbers will differ by dentist and plan. Run the same math with your own estimate. Our savings plan vs. insurance comparison covers other cases.

Ways to pay less for a crown

  • Get a written estimate with the code. D2740, D2750 and D2790 are different crowns. Compare like with like.
  • Ask if a different material works. On a back molar, a metal-based crown may cost less.
  • Ask for the cash price. Some offices discount if you pay in full at the visit.
  • Use a savings plan at a participating dentist if you have no insurance or are in a waiting period.
  • Try a dental school. NIDCR says students treat patients at reduced cost under licensed dentists’ supervision.
  • Check a community health center. Federally funded centers charge based on income. Find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
  • Ask about payment options. Many offices offer in-house payment plans. Medical credit cards and loans also exist, so read the interest terms carefully.

For more, read our guides to dental care without insurance and free and low-cost dental care.

When to see a dentist

See a dentist if a tooth is cracked, broken or very worn, or if it hurts. Cleveland Clinic also lists signs to call about an existing crown. It feels loose, is cracked or chipped, has sharp edges, or leaves a bad taste. Some sensitivity for a couple of weeks is normal, but a crown should not be painful.

Dental crown cost FAQ

How much does one dental crown cost without insurance?

The national average for a ceramic crown is $1,560, with a typical range of $1,015 to $2,670. A build-up, if needed, is extra.

What is the cheapest type of crown?

Among permanent crowns in the Orlando sample, porcelain fused to base metal was cheapest at $1,091. Resin is generally cheaper but more fragile, and it is often used for temporary crowns.

Does insurance cover a crown?

Usually at up to 50% when the crown is medically needed. Cosmetic crowns may not be covered. Waiting periods and yearly maximums still apply. See our page on insurance with no waiting period.

Why is the build-up a separate charge?

A build-up rebuilds the core of a tooth that has lost a lot of structure. It is its own procedure (D2950). Pearl lists it among charges often billed apart from the crown.

How long does a crown last?

Cleveland Clinic gives an average of five to 15 years with good care. Brushing, flossing and regular checkups help.

Does Medicare pay for crowns?

NIDCR says Medicare generally does not cover routine dental care such as checkups, cleanings, fillings or dentures. Our Medicare dental guide explains what is and is not covered.

Dental savings plans are not insurance. They provide discounts at participating providers. You pay the provider directly at the time of service. Prices vary by provider and ZIP code. This page is for information only and is not dental or financial advice.

Sources

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