How Much Does a Crown Cost Without Insurance? – Overview
Dental crowns are quite common and used extensively worldwide as part of dental health services. Despite being so common, there are numerous queries about crown implants, their cost, procedure, etc.
Many people want to know how much a dental crown costs without insurance, which is a valid question, considering there are millions of Americans without proper health insurance coverage. In the latest data from the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, it was revealed that more than 68.5 million Americans lack dental insurance coverage.
First, you need to remember that there are several factors that determine the final cost of a dental crown implant. On average, dental crowns can cost you anywhere between US$ 500 to US$ 1,500, depending on where you are located.
The total cost can be even more, depending on several dental health factors. Since every individual’s dental needs are unique, it is not possible to suggest an accurate cost of the dental crown implant.
However, we can help you to understand the total cost of dental crown implants by breaking down the factors.
What Factors Determine Dental Crown Cost?
Before deciding to undergo a dental crown implant, it is important to know the average cost of the procedure. This way, you will be in a better position to compare different prices and make a more affordable choice.
Some of the major and most common factors that determine the total cost of a dental crown implant are:
- The extent of damage to your teeth
- Type of material used to manufacture the dental crown
- Size of the required dental crown
- Tooth/teeth that need a crown
- Insurance limits, deductibles and insurance carrier policies
- The number of dental crowns needed
- Charges/fees of dentist or dental clinic
The material that the crown is being made out of will be one of the most prominent factors that influence the overall cost of a dental crown implant treatment. For instance, conventional dental crowns usually cost anywhere between US$ 500 to US$ 3,000 per tooth.
Porcelain dental crowns usually cost around US$ 800 to US$ 3,000 per tooth, while porcelain-metal crowns can cost around US$ 800 to US$ 1,400 per tooth. On the other hand, pure metal dental crowns (usually made of a Gold alloy or a mix) cost around US$ 800 to US$ 2,500 per tooth.
To answer the original question, dental insurance usually pays around US$ 400 to cover the dental crown implant cost. So, you will have to pay the remaining balance out-of-pocket.
6 Ways to Get a Dental Crown Implant Without Insurance
How to Get a Dental Crown Implant Without Insurance?
It is vital to remove and replace damaged and decayed teeth to maintain good oral hygiene. However, the high cost of dental treatments most often prohibits people without insurance from getting dental crown implants.
In such cases, there are several avenues you can choose to ensure that you get the best dental treatment possible, such as a Dental Charity.
Let’s Explore the Donated Dental Services (DDS) provided by the Dental Lifeline Network.
Dental care services are indeed only for eligible applicants, especially children, veterans, and low-income families.
Oral checkups and treatment are provided only to those who qualify for the eligibility criteria set by various non-profit foundations and professional associations.
According to the Delta Dental Services (DDS) program, the dentists and dental clinics treat only the eligible patients who are:
- Age 65 years or older
- Medically fragile or compromised
- Dealing with a lifelong disability
- Unable to pay for dental care treatment (low-income individuals & families)
1. Insurance-friendly Dentist
You should know that your insurance company will only pay for dental crown implants that are meant to remedy a functional oral disorder.
If the dental crown procedure is being done to improve the aesthetics, such as your smile, then the insurance company is likely to reject the claim and you will end up paying the cost out of pocket.
Still, there are several dental clinics that accept PPO.
2. Government Programs
Medicare does not cover the cost of dental care procedures. However, it can pay for in-patient hospital care in a dental emergency.
You will need to have Medicare coverage to avail of this facility.
3. FSA (Flexible Spending Account)
FSA is a set amount of pre-tax money that can be taken out of your salary and saved to cover only healthcare expenses. Employers usually offer this and it is a common part of employee benefits in most companies. These accounts are usually easy to access with a simple debit card that you can use anytime.
However, it would be best if you remembered that FSA funds are not rolled over to the next year, so you will have to make sure to use it all up before the end of the year.
4. HSA (Health Savings Account)
An HSA is similar to an FSA but is classified as a government-regulated savings account that also lets you set aside a set amount of pre-tax income to cover healthcare expenses. The major difference between HSA and FSA is that HSA funds can roll over to the next year.
However, you do need to have high-deductible insurance to make this benefit available. The contributions towards the HSA are tax-deductible, too.
5. Dental Schools
Dental schools in your area are bound to offer dental care services, including dental crowns. You can find these schools through a quick Google search and get low-cost dental crown implants.
The low cost is because the procedures are performed by dental students but under the direct supervision of an experienced board-certified dentist or dental surgeon.
6. In-House Dental Payment Plans
Many dentists today understand the burden of getting dental care without insurance and hence offer monthly payment plans.
This way, you don’t have to pay the total amount of the dental crown procedure at once. This is a perfect solution for individuals who are without proper dental or health insurance.
Besides this, there are several modes of payment you can choose, such as dental credit cards, to make it even easier to get a dental crown procedure.
Conclusion
The technology and material used to create dental crowns, along with the expertise of the dentist performing the procedure, make up the total cost of the treatment. Make sure to find the best and most affordable means to get dental crown treatment without insurance.
See Also
How to Get Dental Implants Covered by Insurance?
Dental Grants for Low Income Adults
Free Dental Implants for Seniors
Free Dental Implants for Disabled
How Much Are Antibiotics Without Insurance?
I am a dedicated healthcare researcher and an enthusiast specializing in medical grants, medical education and research. Through my articles, I aim to empower healthcare professionals and researchers with valuable insights and resources to navigate these critical aspects effectively.
Having sharpened her skills as a validation manager in the fast-paced world of Cybersecurity over a decade, Andrea now applies her expertise to raise the standards of the fact-checking space. As a meticulous fact-checker, she diligently validates the claims presented in our articles, leaving no room for misinformation or ambiguity.
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