Implant Crown Cost: What You Need to Know in 2025

When you need a tooth fixed, you might hear about implant crowns. These are special tooth caps that go on top of metal posts in your jaw. Let’s talk about how much they cost and what you need to know!

What Is an Implant Crown?

An implant crown is the top part of a tooth implant. It looks like a real tooth! The crown sits on a metal post that your dentist puts in your jaw bone.

The crown is the part you see when you smile. It can be made from different stuff like porcelain or zirconia. These materials look just like real teeth!

How Much Does an Implant Crown Cost?

The price of an implant crown can be very different depending on a few things. Let’s look at what most people pay:

These prices are from the USA in 2024. The cost can be different in other places!

What Makes the Price Go Up or Down?

Many things can change how much you pay for an implant crown:

Your Mouth Health

• Bone grafting: If your jaw bone is too thin, you need more bone ($500-$3,000 extra)
• Gum disease: This must be fixed first
• Tooth extraction: Taking out bad teeth costs more ($150-$300 per tooth)

Crown Materials

Different crown materials cost different amounts:

• Porcelain crowns: $1,200 on average
• Zirconia crowns: $1,500 on average
• Metal alloy crowns: Less money but not as pretty

Zirconia crowns last longer (15+ years) than porcelain crowns (10-15 years).

Who Does the Work

• Regular dentists: May charge less
• Specialists (like prosthodontists): Charge 20-30% more but have more skill
• Dental schools: Can save you 30-50% off normal prices

Extra Costs People Forget About

Don’t forget these extra costs:

• CT scans or X-rays: $250-$500
• Temporary crowns: $300-$600
• Abutments (connector pieces): $500-$1,000
• Sedation if you’re scared: $200-$500

Implant Crowns vs. Other Options

Let’s see how implant crowns compare to other ways to fix teeth:

Regular Crowns

• Cost: $800-$1,500 (cheaper than implants)
• Pros: Less money, faster to get
• Cons: Need a good tooth root to work, won’t last as long

Dental Bridges

• Cost: $2,000-$5,000
• Pros: Fix missing teeth without surgery
• Cons: Need to file down nearby teeth, last 10-15 years

Partial Dentures

• Cost: $650-$2,500
• Pros: Much cheaper, no surgery
• Cons: Can feel weird, need to take out at night

Will Insurance Pay For My Implant Crown?

Dental insurance can be tricky with implant crowns:

• Many plans call implants “cosmetic” and won’t pay
• Some plans may pay for part of the crown but not the implant post
• Most plans that do help will pay about 50% of the cost
• Plans have yearly limits ($1,000-$1,500 usually)

Check with your insurance company before you get work done! Ask them to tell you in writing what they will pay for.

Ways to Save Money on Implant Crowns

Want to save money? Try these tips:

1. Ask for a payment plan from your dentist
2. Look for dental schools where students do work (with teachers watching)
3. Use dental discount plans (save 15-50%)
4. Use tax-free health savings accounts (HSA) or flexible spending accounts (FSA)
5. Ask about same-day implants which might cost less
6. Some people go to places like Mexico or Turkey where costs are 50-70% less

Things to Think About Besides Money

The cheapest option isn’t always the best! Think about:

• Dentist skill: More experience usually means better results
• Materials used: Better materials last longer
• Warranty: Some dentists offer a guarantee on their work
• Aftercare: Will they help if something goes wrong?

Good implant-supported crowns can last 15+ years while cheap ones might need to be fixed in just a few years.

Questions People Ask a Lot

Taking Care of Your Implant Crown

To make your implant crown last longer:

• Brush twice a day
• Floss every day
• Don’t use your teeth to open things
• Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth
• See your dentist for check-ups twice a year
• Avoid smoking (it can cause implant failure)

Getting Ready for an Implant Crown

Before you get an implant crown, your dentist will:

1. Take X-rays or CT scans
2. Check if you need bone grafting
3. Place the implant post in your jaw
4. Wait 3-6 months for it to heal (called osseointegration)
5. Put on an abutment (connector piece)
6. Make and place the crown

The whole process can take 3-9 months from start to finish.

People Who Should Be Careful About Implant Crowns

Implant crowns are not right for everyone. Be careful if you:

• Have very bad gum disease
• Don’t have enough jaw bone and don’t want grafting
• Have health problems like diabetes that isn’t controlled
• Smoke a lot
• Take certain medicines that affect bone healing

Talk to your dentist about these issues before getting an implant.

Get a Good Deal on Your Implant Crown

To make sure you pay a fair price:

1. Get quotes from 2-3 dentists
2. Ask for a complete price (all fees included)
3. Check if they offer a warranty on their work
4. Ask about payment plans or financing
5. Look into dental discount plans or dental tourism if costs are too high
6. See if CAD/CAM technology can make your crown faster and maybe cheaper

Help Paying for Implant Crowns

If regular insurance won’t help enough, look into:

• Care Credit (special credit card for health costs)
• Dental school clinical trials (sometimes free or low cost)
• Veteran’s benefits (if you served in the military)
• Dental charities for low-income patients
• Dental tourism to countries with lower prices

Conclusion

Implant crowns can cost a lot of money, but they are often worth it because they last so long and work just like real teeth. The price varies based on many things like where you live, what materials you choose, and your mouth’s health.

Make sure to talk to a few dentists, check what your insurance will pay, and look into ways to save money. With good care, your implant crown can last many years!

Want to learn more about different types of dental work? Check out our article on full mouth denture implants or cement retained implant crown