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 $99/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.