A dental crown costs $800 to $2,500 per crown without insurance in 2026
A dental crown costs $800 to $2,500 per crown without insurance in 2026, and the average is about $1,269. Aspen Dental lists an average of $1,269, with a range of $902 to $2,051. Authority Dental lists permanent crowns at $800 to $2,500. The material is the biggest factor. Zirconia and same day crowns often cost more than metal fused with porcelain.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Authority Dental | Authority Dental lists permanent crowns at $800 to $2,500, with zirconia averaging $1,300 and porcelain fused to metal averaging $1,100. |
| Aspen Dental | Aspen Dental lists an average of $1,269 per tooth, with a range of $902 to $2,051. |
| Free Market Healthcare Blog | Free Market Healthcare Blog lists porcelain fused to metal at $800 to $1,400, all ceramic at $1,000 to $2,000 or more, and same day crowns at $1,000 to $2,500 or more. |
| The Pricer | The Pricer lists a porcelain crown average of $1,399, a porcelain and metal average of $1,114, and a metal crown average of $1,211. |
Dental crown cost by material without insurance
| Crown type | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All ceramic or zirconia | $1,000 to $2,500, average $1,300 | Authority Dental |
| Porcelain fused to metal | $800 to $2,400, average $1,100 | Authority Dental |
| All metal | $900 to $2,500, average $1,300 | Authority Dental |
| Temporary crown | $200 to $700, average $450 | Authority Dental |
| Porcelain or ceramic, average | $902 to $2,051, average $1,269 | Aspen Dental |
| Same day crown | $1,000 to $2,500 or more | Free Market Healthcare Blog |
| Porcelain crown, average | $1,399 | The Pricer |
| Core build up, extra | $200 to $500 | The Pricer |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Material | Porcelain fused to metal costs less. Authority Dental lists it at $800 to $2,400, and zirconia at $1,000 to $2,500. |
| Same day or lab made | A same day crown is made in the office. Free Market Healthcare Blog lists same day crowns at $1,000 to $2,500 or more. |
| Which tooth and where | Free Market Healthcare Blog says prices vary by region, dentist and tooth, so quotes can differ. |
| Extra work | A weak tooth may need a build up. The Pricer lists a core build up at $200 to $500 and a post and core at $250 to $650. |
| Exams and X-rays | These can be billed on top. Free Market Healthcare Blog says exams, X-rays and build ups can add $50 to $500 or more. |
What the price includes
The crown price usually covers making and fitting the crown and the visit to cement it. A temporary crown may be included or billed apart. Exams, X-rays, a core build up, a root canal first, and numbing may cost extra. Ask for the full price in writing, with every line listed, before you agree. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Does insurance cover it
Many dental plans pay part of a crown when it is medically needed, such as a cracked or badly decayed tooth. Aspen Dental says insurance may cover a portion in that case. Plans often cap what they pay each year, and they may not pay for a crown that is only for looks. Without insurance you pay the full price. Ask the office for a cash price, a payment plan, or a dental savings plan. Get the cost in writing before you start.
When a doctor orders it
A dentist suggests a crown when a tooth is cracked, badly decayed or worn down. It is also used after a root canal, or to hold a large filling that is falling apart. A crown covers and protects the whole tooth. Your dentist should show you the X-ray or photos and explain why a filling is not enough. Ask if the crown can wait, and what happens if it does.
How to judge your quote
- Does the quote name the crown material?
- Does it include the exam, X-rays, build up and temporary crown?
- Is the price inside $800 to $2,500, or is the reason explained?
- Is there a cash price, a payment plan and a written promise to remake a bad crown?
- Compare the total with the range above: $800 to $2,500 per crown for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Ask for the cash price. Some offices give a lower rate when you pay at once and do not use insurance.
- Check for a dental school near you. Students make crowns under teachers, and the fees are often lower.
- Compare at least three offices, and ask for the same material in each quote. The Pricer says self-pay quotes often span $800 to $3,000 or more.
- Ask about a payment plan. Aspen Dental offers third party financing, and some offices run their own plans.
- Ask if porcelain fused to metal fits a back tooth. Authority Dental averages it at $1,100, below $1,300 for zirconia.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Authority Dental, Aspen Dental, Free Market Healthcare Blog and The Pricer. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a dental crown cost without insurance?
Authority Dental lists permanent crowns at $800 to $2,500. Aspen Dental lists an average of $1,269, with a range of $902 to $2,051.
Which type of crown is the cheapest?
Porcelain fused to metal is often the lowest. Authority Dental lists it at $800 to $2,400, with an average of $1,100.
How much is a same day crown?
Free Market Healthcare Blog lists same day crowns at $1,000 to $2,500 or more. You save a second visit to the office.
How much is a temporary crown?
Authority Dental lists temporary crowns at $200 to $700, with an average of $450. The Pricer lists resin or temporary crowns at an average of $697.
What extra costs can come with a crown?
The Pricer lists a core build up at $200 to $500 and a post and core at $250 to $650. Free Market Healthcare Blog says exams and X-rays can add $50 to $500 or more.