How Much Does a Crown Cost With a Dental Savings Plan? (2026)
A dental crown is one of the most common major restorative procedures — and one where the out-of-pocket cost without coverage is genuinely painful. A dental savings plan cuts that cost by 20–35%, often saving $300–$600 on a single crown.
Crown Cost: By Material and Coverage
| Crown Type | Without Coverage | With 20% Plan | With 30% Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) | $1,000–$1,600 | $700–$1,120 | $600–$960 |
| All-ceramic / all-porcelain | $1,200–$1,800 | $840–$1,260 | $720–$1,080 |
| Full metal (gold) | $800–$1,500 | $560–$1,050 | $480–$900 |
| Porcelain-fused-to-gold | $1,100–$1,700 | $770–$1,190 | $660–$1,020 |
| E-max (lithium disilicate) | $1,200–$1,900 | $840–$1,330 | $720–$1,140 |
| Zirconia | $1,000–$1,800 | $700–$1,260 | $600–$1,080 |
The Crown Procedure Codes
Always ask your dentist for the procedure code before comparing plan fee schedules:
- D2710 — Resin-based composite crown (anterior)
- D2712 — Resin-based composite crown (posterior)
- D2740 — Crown — porcelain/ceramic substrate
- D2750 — Crown — porcelain fused to high noble metal
- D2790 — Crown — full cast high noble metal (gold)
- D2930 — Prefabricated stainless steel crown (children)
Do You Need a Crown After a Root Canal?
Usually yes. A tooth that has had a root canal is more brittle and prone to cracking. Most dentists strongly recommend a crown within 3–6 months of root canal completion.
Combined cost of root canal + crown:
| Procedure | Without Plan | With 20% Plan | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Molar root canal | $900–$1,500 | $630–$1,050 | $270–$450 |
| Porcelain crown (molar) | $1,000–$1,800 | $700–$1,260 | $300–$540 |
| Total | $1,900–$3,300 | $1,330–$2,310 | $570–$990 |
That $570–$990 in savings is 6–10 years of plan membership at $129/year.
Insurance vs. Dental Savings Plan for Crowns
Most dental insurance covers crowns at 50% after the deductible — but only up to the annual maximum ($1,000–$2,000).
Scenario: $1,400 crown, $1,500 annual max, used $400 already
- Remaining max: $1,100
- Insurance pays 50%: $700
- Your out-of-pocket: $700
Same crown with dental savings plan (20% off):
- Discounted price: $1,120
- Your out-of-pocket: $1,120
Wait — insurance is better in that case? Maybe. But:
- Insurance has a 12-month waiting period for crowns
- Insurance requires monthly premiums ($35–$65/month = $420–$780/year)
- You paid $420–$780 in premiums to save $420 on the crown. You broke even at best.
If you need a crown soon and don't have existing dental insurance, a savings plan is almost always the better deal year-one because there's no waiting period and no premium cost. See our Careington review for the specific crown fee schedule — they publish per-procedure discounts so you can calculate your exact savings before you sign up.
Temporary vs. Permanent Crown
Most crown procedures involve a temporary crown while the permanent one is made in a lab (1–2 weeks). Temporary crowns are typically included in the permanent crown fee — not billed separately. Confirm this with your dentist before treatment.
Same-Day Crowns (CEREC)
Same-day crowns (milled in-office using CAD/CAM technology) cost $1,200–$1,800 — similar to traditional crowns. Dental savings plans discount them the same way, using the standard porcelain crown codes.
Compare plans and check the discounted crown fee at your dentist → See the full 2026 price index for every dental procedure without insurance →