Breaking Down Porcelain Crowns Cost: What To Expect?

Many global reports suggest that dental caries and periodontal problems are on the rise.^[1] Typically, these conditions are accompanied by severe pain and discomfort that seriously impact the quality of life. In order to address these issues, dentists clean the tooth pockets and repair damaged tooth parts. However, a weakened tooth cannot efficiently serve normal functions. Plus, natural teeth experience damage due to normal wear and tear activities like chewing and biting, accidents or trauma, or bad oral hygiene. All these can lead to breaks, cracks, weakened teeth, or tooth loss. While this depends on the underlying conditions and multiple other factors, the overall outcome has a significant impact on quality of life.   

Dental crowns, also called tooth caps, offer an all-in-one solution to all these dental issues. Typically, the dentist fixes crowns on:

• Root-canal treated tooth 
• Severely cracked and worn tooth
• Weakened tooth that tends to break
• Stained, discolored tooth with a dull look
• Tooth adjacent to the missing teeth gaps (to hold a bridge)
• Dental implants to cover the metal post and function like a natural tooth

Dentists suggest different crown types based on the existing dental issue, tooth position, and the body’s allergic tendency. Dental crowns carry their benefits while suiting a variety of patient needs depending on the material they are made from.  Crowns made from tooth-colored porcelain offer a natural look and promising results for a diverse range of patient groups. Let's learn more about porcelain dental crowns. 

Is Porcelain Crown Good?

Dental crowns made from porcelain offer a natural look by reflecting light like natural teeth. These are stain-resistant and durable, too. Porcelain crowns are ideal for front teeth if you are expecting cosmetic results. Here are the unique benefits of porcelain dental material for dental crowns:^[2] 

• Offers a natural look
• Do not conduct temperature. Hence, you won’t feel temperature sensitivity
• Metal-free material and are best suited for candidates with metal allergies

Porcelain dental crowns for front teeth: 

While porcelain material imparts a natural look, it is brittle and more prone to developing chips and breaks. Dentists use porcelain crowns specifically for front teeth, which need not be strong like the molars or premolars. Back teeth are involved in activities like grinding, which need extra strength. In these conditions, dentists use porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns that have porcelain coated on the metal surface. These crowns offer a combined effect of metal strength and a natural look. 

Note that porcelain dental crowns are typically thicker than the other crowns. They demand more tooth preparation than the other types. Hence, your dentist will check if you have enough healthy tooth structure before suggesting porcelain dental crowns. 

Am I the Right Candidate for Porcelain Dental Crowns?

Generally speaking, porcelain dental crowns are for those suffering from one or more chipped, cracked, worn down, or discolored teeth. However, having enough tooth surface is essential for the success of porcelain dental crowns. Dentists remove the damaged tooth portions and reshape the existing tooth to accommodate the porcelain dental crowns. Hence, severely decayed teeth or teeth carrying significant fractures are prepared initially before the dental crown procedure. Dentists suggest all-porcelain or E-max porcelain crowns for front teeth problems. However, they will suggest PFM if you suffer from tooth damage on your back teeth. 

Procedure for Getting Porcelain Dental Crowns

Your dentist will fix porcelain crowns in 1-2 dental appointments. However, you need one more appointment if your teeth are severely damaged and require a deep scaling or root canal treatment.

• First appointment: Your dentist carefully removes the damaged portions of the tooth and reshape it by removing enamel. They will collect the digital impressions and send them for customized tooth preparation. Until then, you will get temporary crowns.
• Second appointment: Your dentist will meticulously remove the temporary crowns and fix the permanent ones using dental cement. They will also perform a color match and check your bite. 

Caring for your porcelain dental crowns is quite simple. By following your oral care routine, you should maintain a healthy oral cavity. Brush your teeth two times a day and floss them regularly. Avoid biting on foods like hard nuts and kernels and chewing sticky chewing gums or popcorn.

Will Porcelain Crowns Stain?

Porcelain dental material offers a smooth surface. Its tight, intact exterior is non-porous, making it stain-resistant. Natural teeth carry microscopic holes that catch pigments from the food we eat. This, along with plaque, imparts a dull look to the teeth over time. However, the smoother surface of porcelain crowns catches no stain, and hence, they are stain-resistant. 

Do Porcelain Crowns Break Easily?

All-porcelain crowns are fragile and tend to break on strong bite force. Hence, dentists suggest porcelain fused to metal crowns if you have a strong bite force and are expecting a natural look. On the other hand, they also suggest the fabrication of thicker all-porcelain crowns that cannot break easily. This will be the case if you are allergic to metals. While this requires tooth enamel removal to a greater extent, the extra thickness ensures the durability of porcelain crowns. With proper care, they last for 10-15 years.    

Why Are Porcelain Crowns Expensive?

Porcelain crowns cost more than the other types, mainly because of the high-quality dental material they are made from. Porcelain typically costs more than materials like composite resin or metals. While the material is naturally priced high, the crafting processes are also expensive. Porcelain crowns are tailored according to tooth size, shape, and color, increasing the complexity and price of production.  They require the collection of digital impressions using advanced dental technology. Highly skilled dental technicians custom-shape and layer dental materials to achieve a natural look. 

Some people prefer other crown types for back teeth because of the high dental crown cost front tooth. Dentists suggest metal crowns specifically for back teeth. Note that the dental crown prices vary with material type, chosen dentist, and clinic location. Here, we compared porcelain crowns with other common types of dental crowns and costs:

Gold vs. Porcelain Crown Cost

Metal vs. Porcelain Crown Cost

How Much Does It Cost for a Porcelain Crown?

Porcelain crowns cost front teeth are expensive in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia. Dental porcelain crown cost between $1,000 and $3,000 per tooth in the United States. On the other hand, in Canada, it costs between $900 and $1,500 per tooth. In Australia, it costs you anywhere between $1,600 and $1,800. Note that front tooth crown cost depends on the geographical location, diagnostic tests, and dentist one chooses. We listed the country-wise porcelain crown costs below for a better understanding.

Porcelain dental crown cost near me: (per unit)

• Porcelain crowns cost the United States: $1,000 to $3,000 
• Porcelain crowns cost Canada:  $900 to $1,500 
• Porcelain crowns cost UK: $800 to $1,100 
• Porcelain crown cost Ireland: $1,600 to $1,800 
• Porcelain crowns cost Mexico: $450 to $400
• Porcelain crown cost Turkey: $250 to $300
• Porcelain crown cost Philippines: $200 to $250
• Porcelain crowns cost in India: $120 to $400

While a single crown costs $1,000 in the US, getting multiple porcelain dental crowns can be a burden. Dental insurance partially covers porcelain crowns when they are medically necessary. Most dental insurances cover half of the crown prices, and porcelain tooth crown cost with insurance eases off the hefty burden. Now, let’s understand various considerations that decide porcelain crown costs.

Factors Influencing Bills for Porcelain Crown Cost With Insurance

Many dental insurances partially cover porcelain crown costs when they are medically necessary. When you need a crown for a tooth that doesn’t look good, it's a different case. This will be considered as cosmetic reasons and insurance does not cover these porcelain crown costs. Below are the factors that decide the porcelain crowns cost:  

Dentists Expertise

Qualified and skilled dentists rely on state-of-the-art dental technology for diagnosis and treatment, ensuring treatment success. Further, experienced dentists with successful track records gain expertise in dealing with complex cases. While they charge higher prices, one can stay assured of treatment success.  

Geographical Location

Typically, porcelain crowns in developed countries are quite expensive. Crown porcelain ceramic costs begin at $1,000 and $900 per unit in the States and Canada. Conversely, countries like Mexico, Turkey, India, and the Phillippines offer affordable porcelain dental crowns. The porcelain crowns cost front teeth $450 and $250 in Mexico and Turkey. Maintaining dental clinics in developed countries requires higher house rents, staff salaries, and other maintenance charges. Plus, dental materials and other related equipment also cost more. These additional expenses are indeed covered with high prices in developed countries. 

Additional Dental Procedures

Some candidates experience severe tooth decay, and treatment for severe gum diseases. They require additional procedures like root canals, deep scaling, and tooth decay removal to remove the infected and damaged portions. These procedures add up charges to your final dental bills. 

Material Quality and Equipment 

High-quality porcelain often involves more sophisticated production techniques, such as CAD/CAM technology (computer-aided design and manufacturing). While these methods enhance the precision and fit of the crown, they simultaneously increase the cost. This can be due to the advanced equipment and expertise required.

Lab Fees

While porcelain crowns solve multiple dental issues, your dentist will initially evaluate your candidacy. It’s because crowns are anchored on the existing tooth structure. A weakened tooth cannot hold the crown well. Diagnostic tests like digital and panoramic X-rays will be taken. Dentists will find the fractures, breaks, and chips along with their intensity, which requires sophisticated technology. Plus, they collect the digital impressions of the oral cavity to attain a customized fit of the porcelain crowns. Besides, getting a porcelain crown requires tooth reshaping, which will be under anesthesia. Some dentists also employ sedation dentistry, which also adds to the final porcelain crowns cost bills. 

Despite their high costs, porcelain crowns are a favorite choice for many, primarily because of the longevity of the results and easy maintenance.

Are Porcelain Crowns Worth It?

Getting porcelain crowns is an investment with long-term benefits. Dental crowns made from porcelain do not catch stains and maintain their original hue for years. Thanks to the smoother finish and stain-resistance properties of porcelain dental material. Plus, they blend seamlessly with existing teeth, offering a natural look. Indeed, it's difficult to detect that you had a porcelain dental crown procedure. More importantly, the durability of crown material for front teeth allows them to last for up to 15 years. Furthermore, with proper maintenance, they rarely develop chips and cracks. So, your need for repair or replacing them is quite low. When the porcelain tooth crown replacement cost and front teeth dental crown repair costs are nil, the additional charges beyond treatment are indeed negligible.

What To Do if a Porcelain Crown Falls?

Porcelain dental crowns last for years when cared for properly. However, they may fall off due to: 

• Improper fit
• Teeth grinding
• Poor cementing
• Decay of anchor tooth
• Injury or dental trauma

In any case, retrieve your crown and contact the dentist immediately. Porcelain crowns may fall out while still intact. Your dentist should check the crown, understand the possible causes of crown failure, and fix it. Suppose the porcelain crowns fall out due to loose cementing. They will reuse the same crown. However, when the crown fails due to improper fit or teeth grinding, you will need a replacement crown. In other cases, like tooth decay, dental injury, or trauma, your dentist will suggest dental crown repair after fixing the existing dental problems. 

How To Get Affordable Porcelain Dental Crowns? 

Getting a full mouth done can be expensive due to the high cost of porcelain crowns. Front tooth crown costs are partially covered by insurance, particularly when they are medically necessary. Planning out dental insurance and looking for clinics that accept dental insurance can help you ease the burden. You may also approach community based dental clinics or dental schools offering quality dental crowns. While they offer affordable prices, you will receive treatment from student dentists under the guidance of skilled dental professionals. While you don’t have to worry about treatment quality, this may require long wait times. Alternatively, check out if the regular dental clinics offer you dental payment plans. Dental payment plans allow you to pay your dental bills on a monthly or installment basis rather than paying them all at once. Some dentists also offer treatment along with dental loans and discounted prices. In addition, you may also choose dental tourism for affordable porcelain dental crowns. Traveling to destinations like Mexico, Turkey, Thailand, and India offers an experience of tourism with quality dental care. Porcelain crowns cost at popular dental tourism destinations is just a fraction of that in the US. So, the travel costs won’t be an added cost, allowing you to save on quality treatment. However, stay wise and vigilant in choosing the right dental tourism destination based on travel logistics, prices, and wait times.

Are you wondering how to make the right decision about your dental crowns? At Envoy Health, we prioritize patient health and satisfaction. Get treated by global dental experts by signing up with Envoy Health. Our expert team will help you find the best options to deal with porcelain crowns cost. You may also seek second opinions from our highly qualified, board-certified dental partners. An informed decision drives all worries and ensures peace of mind while you take your first step toward better oral health.     

References

1. Dental Crowns and Bridges Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Product Type (Crowns and Bridges), By Type (Pre-fabricated and Customized), By Material (Ceramics, Porcelain Fused to Metals, and Metals), By End-user (Solo Practices, DSO/Group Practices, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032
2. Comprehensive Overview of the Benefits of All Porcelain Crowns