How Much Does A Dental Crown Cost Without Carefree Dental?

There’s no way around it: this is an expensive procedure. There’s really no such thing as a cheap dental crown.

The exact cost will depend on the materials used, the condition of your tooth, and local rates. That said, you can expect to pay $500-$2,500 per tooth according to DocShop.

But that’s not all. Prior to any dental crown, you’ll probably have an oral exam with a cleaning and x-rays (this is how your provider diagnoses your need for a crown in the first place). The cost of these three procedures will increase your cost another $380 on average.

It’s a lot of money, but fortunately you do have several options and payment plans for dental crowns to get a discount and reduce the amount you have to pay.

What’s Included With That Price?

Getting a crown typically requires two visits. During the first visit, the dentist will give you a temporary crown and create a mold of your tooth. He or she will then ship that mold off to a laboratory, where they’ll use it to make a permanent crown that’s custom-made to fit your mouth.

About 2-3 weeks later, you’ll come in for your second appointment. This time the dentist will cement your permanent crown into place for good.

The price you pay your provider should cover both of these visits, plus all the materials used to create your crown. Depending on the state of your tooth, your dentist may recommend one of these materials:

• Stainless steel
• Metal alloys
• Porcelain fused to metal or zirconia
• Dental composite
• All-resin, ceramic, or porcelain

Keep in mind that most dental crowns will last approximately 5-15 years, and may need to be replaced several times over your lifetime. Your initial fee will not cover any of these replacements.

What Are Your Options For Getting a Discount Dental Crown?

Pay out-of-pocket. This is certainly your worst option when it comes to dental crowns, because you’ll have to pay the entire bill yourself. For many people this just isn’t an affordable option.

Get dental insurance. This isn’t a bad option. Dental insurance will certainly reduce the amount you pay out-of-pocket for your crown, although it may not save you as much as you think. There are three main reasons for this:

1. Annual savings caps. Most forms of dental insurance will cap your annual savings at $1,000-$1,500. But the cost of a crown can go over $2,000 for each tooth. In other words, you could end up paying $1,000 or more out-of-pocket for a single crown--even if you have insurance.
2. Cosmetic procedures aren’t covered. While insurance will most likely cover a crown that is medically necessary, it usually will not cover crowns that are done for strictly cosmetic reasons.
3. Restoration limits. Some forms of insurance also put a cap on the number of restorations you can have in a year. Make sure to ask your insurance carrier about this before getting your crown work done, because it could result in the procedure not being covered by your insurance.

Use Carefree Dental. The easiest and simplest way to save big on your dental crown is to sign up with Carefree Dental.

Unlike insurance, Carefree Dental has no paperwork to fill out, claims to file, or hoops to jump through. Just show your card during your appointment to automatically save 15-50% per visit*, in most instances, on your bill.

Carefree Dental has no annual savings limits, which means you can use it over and over again--no matter how much dental work you need. There are no contracts, so you can cancel anytime.

Can You Use Both Carefree Dental and Dental Insurance?

One of the most common questions we get is, “Can I use my Carefree Dental Card along with my dental insurance to save even more money?”

While you can’t use them both on the same appointment, you can use them both in these two situations:

1. Use Carefree after you hit your annual savings cap. If your dental insurance only provides $1,000 in savings each year and you end up needing $2,000 in dental work, then you can use your Carefree Dental Card on the remaining $1,000 and save an extra $150-$500 (15-50% per visit*, in most instances).
2. Use Carefree on procedures your insurance doesn’t cover. If you want a crown to fix the appearance of one of your front teeth, you might not be covered by your insurance (because it’s a cosmetic procedure). But you can still use your Carefree Dental Card for this procedure!

Of course, you’ll need to make sure your provider accepts both your dental insurance and the Carefree Dental Card. Fortunately, Carefree works on the Aetna Dental Access® Network. Aetna Dental Access® is sure to include a great dentist near you.

Find out if your dentist accepts the Carefree Dental Card!

Are There Dental Crown Payment Plans?

While most people pay for their crowns prior to getting the treatment, you can sometimes pay for the procedure with monthly financing. This can help split up a large bill into smaller, more manageable payments. Just keep in mind that a payment plan will incur interest, which means you’ll end up paying more money in the long run.

What Is a Dental Crown?

Dental crowns serve a range of valuable functions. According to WedMd.com, a dental crown can be used to:

• Protect a weak tooth
• Restore a broken tooth
• Support a tooth with a large filling
• Hold a dental bridge in place
• Cover misshapen or discolored teeth
• Cover an implant
• Improve the appearance of a tooth

Weakened, brittle teeth are more prone to fracturing when chewing tough foods. By covering these fragile teeth with a dental crown, you’re protecting them from hard foods and preventing tooth breakage--which would ultimately be a painful and expensive problem to fix.

Dental crowns also serve a cosmetic purpose, which is taking misshapen or discolored teeth and covering them in a natural-looking cap. This will help to ensure that you have a great-looking smile so you can feel confident flashing those pearly whites.

Your Card Includes Vision & Prescription Benefits, Too

Your new discount card with Carefree will also give you significant discounts on vision & prescription benefits included at no extra charge.

That means you’ll also save big on eye exams, glasses, and prescription medications from pharmacies like CVS and Walmart.

For a Truly Affordable Dental Crown, Sign Up for Carefree Dental

Carefree Dental is the smart way to save 15-50% per visit*, in most instances, on all your household’s dental expenses--even for procedures that insurance doesn’t cover. You’ll get access to Aetna Dental Access® and your card even gives you significant discounts on vision and prescription benefits for free.

There’s only one way to experience all these benefits, and that’s to sign up today.

Remember that Carefree Dental is guaranteed to save you money. You can cancel anytime, and you’re protected by not one, but two different money-back guarantees. In other words, you have nothing to lose by giving Carefree Dental a try.

So what are you waiting for?

"I had 4 teeth extracted and received a full set of dentures. I saved around $5,000. I am recommending Carefree to others and very happy with the plan!" –  Barbara S., TX

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

If you're not 100% happy with your plan, cancel within the first 30 days after the effective date and we'll refund you in full—no questions asked, no hassle.

Money Back Savings Guarantee

If the savings on your dental care for the year add up to less than your plan’s annual cost, the difference will be paid directly to you.

* Actual costs and savings vary by provider, service and geographical area.

**As of September 2021

What is the Purpose of a Crown?

Crowns are a commonly used dental caps designed to repair a single tooth, greatly improving its appearance and functionality. This improves the overall look of your smile.

Weakened teeth, such as those that are heavily filled or have undergone a root canal, are prone to fracture. These types of treatments can leave teeth brittle and make them easier to break when chewing tough foods. A dental crown is used to provide support and ensure the tooth remains functional.

For smaller, odd-shaped teeth, crowns can be used as a cosmetic cap to improve the smile’s appearance. They can even fill in gaps. The crown is matched to your natural tooth color and completely covers the visible portion of the tooth, providing a restoration that blends in with surrounding teeth for a natural look.

Are There any Crown Alternatives?

Dental crowns are just one of several replacement and capping options for tooth repair. A dentist will determine if your tooth is suitable for a crown, but you may need to undergo an alternative repair strategy, such as:

• Veneers – the application of a thin porcelain structure that improves the appearance of teeth.
• Bridges – made up of two or more crowns, a bridge literally bridges the gap between missing teeth. Unlike dentures, they are permanent and use adjoining teeth for support.
• Dental implants - a cosmetic and surgical solution offering superior aesthetics and longevity that is often worth the higher initial cost.

How are Crowns Installed?

Prior to getting a crown, your dentist will do a thorough examination of the tooth. This may include X-rays to search for signs of nerve damage not visible to the eye, since putting a crown on a decaying tooth would only require additional corrective work at a later date. If teeth are heavily decayed, a root canal may be required prior to applying a crown.

Getting a crown installed typically takes a minimum of two visits. The first visit is when your dentist carries out the initial investigative work. When the procedure begins, you will receive a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding gum. The tooth is then filed down to make adequate room for the crown, which will go on top of it. How much the tooth is filed down depends on the type of crown being used, as they are available in a variety of materials, including porcelain, metal alloys, or a mixture of porcelain fused to metal.

In some cases, the dentist will have to add filling to build up the tooth. This typically happens when a tooth is hollowed out from decay or simply too small to accept the crown. After preparations are complete and your tooth is prepared to accept a crown, your dentist will have you bite down on a putty mold so a tooth impression can be made. That mold is then sent to a laboratory where the crown is crafted to fit your mouth. This process takes about 2 to 3 weeks. In the meantime, a temporary crown is put in place on the prepared tooth to protect its shape.

On your second visit, the temporary crown is removed and the new permanent crown is checked for fit and color matching. If everything looks good, the dentist fixes the crown to the prepared tooth with dental cement. This is done under a local anesthetic.

Getting a dental crown is an easy fix for brittle, missing, or unsightly teeth. It is a painless procedure that not only improves your teeth’s functionality, but also ensures you have a beautiful, confident smile.

Carefree Dental can help save money on this essential procedure. Whether you’re uninsured and need to reduce your dental costs, or you have an insurance plan but want to pay less out of pocket for costly dental procedures not covered by your plan, Carefree Dental provides cost-effective solutions for only $15.95/mo. single and $19.95/mo. for your entire household!

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