Posted on: 16 April, 2025
If any of your teeth are damaged, worn, misaligned or you want to change their appearance, a dental crown can be a versatile option for restoring your bite and enhancing your smile. Custom made from high-quality materials, crowns cost more than some other dental treatments, but they can sometimes last for decades when you take good care of them.
5 minute read
If any of your teeth are damaged, worn, misaligned or you want to change their appearance, a dental crown can be a versatile option for restoring your bite and enhancing your smile. Custom made from high-quality materials, crowns cost more than some other dental treatments, but they can sometimes last for decades when you take good care of them.
Read this guide to learn more about dental crown costs, how long they last, and how to extend their lifespans. If you want to talk to a dentist about your own crown needs, book an appointment at Mount Lawley Dental today.
A crown is a custom-made cap designed to restore, strengthen or otherwise modify a tooth. If you need a crown, your dentist will first reduce your tooth in size and take an impression of it that will be used to design your custom restoration. The crown will then be made in a dental laboratory by a skilled technician and bonded to your tooth with strong cement.
Originally made from metal, today most crowns are made from more natural-looking materials such as ceramic and zirconia. The material you choose for your crown is one of several factors that affects their cost.
The cost of a dental crown starts from $1802, depending on factors such as tooth materials, and how much of the tooth is being restored. Ceramic crowns made of zirconia or porcelain are durable, aesthetic-looking and may be suited to visible teeth. Metal crowns may be more suited to back molars and generally cost less than ceramic crowns.
As well as the cost of the crown itself, you should check what other services are included in your treatment package. Additional costs could include your consultation and follow-up visits, x-rays and other diagnostics, any sedation needed, and a temporary crown to wear while your custom crown is being made.
| Treatment | Item Code | Price (as of April 2025) |
| Crown | #613 | $1802 |
| Consultation | #014 | $85 |
| Intraoral radiograph (per exposure) | #022 | $57 |
| Preliminary Restoration for crown | #627 | $386 |
There are also some long-term costs to consider, such as repairs and replacements needed over time. Crowns usually have to be replaced after 5 to 15 years, due to damage or wear and tear, but may last much longer with proper care.
At Mount Lawley Dental, we offer payment plans from trusted providers including Zip, Afterpay and Pretty Penny Finance that could help you break down your bill into more manageable instalments. Call our team on 08) 9227 8777 to find out more.
How much you pay for a dental crown can depend on:
• Material(s) the crown is made from
• Your dentist’s location and expertise
• Size and complexity of the procedure
• Whether your insurance covers the cost
Material used
Your dentist may offer a choice of crown materials, depending on how much strength is needed, aesthetic preferences and your price range:
• Porcelain crowns cost more. They have a lifelike appearance that makes them suitable for the front teeth, but they may not stand up to the biting forces at the back of the mouth.
• Metal crowns and porcelain crowns with a metal core are a similar price. They can withstand stronger biting forces, so can be good choices for molars.
• Zirconia crowns balance strength and aesthetics and are a more expensive option, but they may also last longer.
Dental clinic
Where your crown treatment is provided can also affect the cost, with average prices for dental services varying regionally. Prices can also reflect the expertise and reputation of the dentist providing your treatment and the dental technician responsible for manufacturing your crown.
Size and complexity
Crowns are custom made to fit over an existing tooth, and they can vary in size and shape. Larger crowns, such as those replacing molars, can cost more than smaller restorations. Having multiple crowns will also naturally cost more than a single crown, though the cost per crown may be lower.
If your crown is being placed as part of a wider dental treatment, such as to support a dental bridge or seal a tooth following root canal therapy, this will involve additional costs.
Insurance coverage
Some health funds may cover part of your crown treatment or the costs of related services, reducing your out-of-pocket costs on the day. This varies between providers and depending on the level of cover. Your dental clinic can check what you’re eligible to claim for when you visit.
With good care, a dental crown can last 5–15 years on average, though some crowns can last 50 years or longer.* How long a crown lasts can depend on:
• The material it’s made from
• Whether you have damaging habits or lifestyle factors
• The state of your oral health
If your crown starts to feel loose or becomes chipped, cracked or shows other signs of wear, you should see a dentist to discuss repairs or replacement.
* Olley RC, Andiappan M, Frost PM. An up to 50-year follow-up of crown and veneer survival in a dental practice. J Prosthet Dent. 2018 Jun;119(6):935-941. doi: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2017.06.009. Epub 2017 Sep 29. PMID: 28969914.
Crown material
Some crown materials are more durable than others. On average, you can expect a lifespan of around:
• 5-15 years for a ceramic or porcelain crown
• 15+ years for a metal or zirconia crown
Habits and lifestyle factors
Habits such as teeth grinding, nail biting or chewing on hard objects can make a crown more prone to damage and reduce its lifespan. If you grind or clench your teeth at night (bruxism), your dentist can discuss possible treatment options and may recommend a stronger crown material.
Smoking and heavy alcohol use can also affect the lifespan of crowns by increasing your oral health risks.
Oral hygiene
Problems that affect the underlying teeth and gums can also affect crowns and cause them to come loose. If you have an existing oral health problem such as tooth decay or gum disease, your dentist will treat this as a priority before placing a crown.
Your dentist may also instruct you about how to improve your daily oral hygiene routine to reduce the build-up of bacteria that forms dental plaque and causes oral diseases.
Dental crowns can last for many years with proper care. To help your crown last longer, it’s important to:
• Follow good oral hygiene practices to protect the underlying tooth
• Modify your diet and habits to avoid causing damage
• Keep up with your regular dental visits
Good oral hygiene practices
Crowns don’t require special care like dentures, but it’s still important to brush your crown along with your natural teeth twice a day. It’s recommended to use a soft toothbrush to avoid scratching the crown’s surface and a fluoride toothpaste to help keep plaque at bay.
You should also floss between your teeth daily. Your dentist may also advise using a mouthwash if they think it would benefit your oral health.
Modifying your diet and habits
Very hard or sticky foods may cause a crown to chip, crack or come loose, so it’s recommended to avoid foods such as hard nuts and sticky lollies. You should also avoid crunching ice or using your teeth for other purposes, such as opening packaging or cutting tape.
Habits such as nail biting, teeth grinding and smoking can all damage crowns or lead to complications. Your dentist can give you advice about how to avoid or manage these behaviours.
Regular dental visits
Seeing a dentist twice a year is important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums and for the best chance of long-lasting crowns. Regular visits help your dentist to spot signs of problems before they become serious, and dental cleanings help to keep your teeth and crowns clean and free from plaque build-up.
A crown may not always be the best option. Depending on the problem or concern you want to address, your dentist may discuss alternative treatments such as:
• Fillings or inlays: If a decayed or damaged tooth still has most of its structure intact, a white filling made from composite resin or a ceramic inlay could be a cost-effective alternative for restoring the tooth’s function and appearance.
• Bonding or veneers: Some minor chips, cracks or other blemishes on teeth surfaces may be covered up by composite bonding. If you want to modify the size, shape or colour of teeth, dental veneers made from composite resin or porcelain are a popular cosmetic dentistry option.
• Implants, bridges or dentures: If a tooth is too badly damaged to repair, extracting it and replacing it with a dental implant, dental bridge or partial denture could restore your bite and your smile.
Are you ready to restore your smile with crowns, or want to know more about your treatment options? Call our friendly team at Mount Lawley Dental on 08) 9227 8777 or book online to schedule an appointment with our experienced Perth dentists. We welcome patients from all nearby areas, including Highgate, Inglewood and across North Perth.
References
1. Olley RC, Andiappan M, Frost PM. An up to 50-year follow-up of crown and veneer survival in a dental practice. J Prosthet Dent. 2018 Jun;119(6):935-941. doi: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2017.06.009. Epub 2017 Sep 29. PMID: 28969914.
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