Need a Dental Crown in Brooklyn? Here’s What to Expect and What It Costs
You’ve probably been putting this off. Maybe a tooth has started to ache when you bite down, or an old filling finally gave way, and now someone has said the word “crown,” and your mind jumped straight to the bill. That worry is one of the most common ones we hear, and it’s why we start with answers instead of a sales pitch.
At our Brooklyn Heights dental office, Dr. Aimee Kraft will look at your tooth, tell you honestly whether a crown is the right fix, and put the cost in writing before any work begins, so nothing surprises you when the bill arrives. If you’ve been searching for dental crowns in Brooklyn and want a real number for your own tooth, call us at (718) 625-6629 or book online, and let’s find out what your smile actually needs.
Meet Your Brooklyn Heights Crown Dentist
Aimee Kraft, DDS, is a general and cosmetic dentist serving adults and children from her office at 21 Schermerhorn St. in Brooklyn Heights. She’s listed in the American Dental Association’s Find-a-Dentist directory as a general practice dentist at this address.
Read more about Dr. Kraft and our team, or see what our patients say and find us on Google.
How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost in Brooklyn?
Most patients in Brooklyn can expect to pay between $800 and $2,500 per tooth. That figure is for one crown. If you need two or more, the total goes up accordingly.
Brooklyn prices tend to sit higher than the national picture. Rent, staffing, and lab costs in a large city all factor into what a dental office charges. A lower quote is not always a better deal, though. It’s worth asking what material is being used, which lab makes the crown, and whether the price includes the temporary crown and follow-up visits.
What Affects the Cost of a Dental Crown?
1. The crown material
Material is usually the biggest factor. Each option involves a trade-off between appearance, strength, and price:
| Material | Appearance | Strength and durability | Relative cost |
| Metal alloy | Metallic color, most noticeable | Very strong, wears well | Generally the lowest |
| Porcelain-fused-to-metal | Tooth-colored surface, can show a dark line at the gumline over time | Strong | Moderate |
| Zirconia | Natural-looking and can be very strong | Very durable, a common choice for back teeth | Moderate to high |
| All-porcelain or ceramic | Most natural, best for visible teeth | Strong, though generally less than metal or zirconia | Moderate to high |
Not sure which one suits your tooth? We will walk you through the options at your visit. A back molar that handles heavy chewing has different needs than a front tooth that shows when you smile.
2. Which tooth needs the crown
Front teeth are on display, so they usually call for more lifelike materials. Back teeth take more chewing force, so strength matters more. The size of the tooth and how much natural structure remains also affect the work involved.
3. Work needed before the crown
Sometimes a tooth has to be treated before it can be crowned. A root canal, an extraction, or a buildup to replace missing tooth structure adds to the total. We will tell you at the exam whether any of this applies, so the estimate you receive is the real one.
4. Number of crowns
If you need more than one crown, the cost multiplies. We can sometimes phase treatment over several visits so the expense is spread out. We will also let you know which teeth are most urgent.
5. Your location and the office you choose
Brooklyn’s cost of living and overhead mean prices run higher here than in many smaller towns. Offices also differ in the lab they use, the technology they have, and what their fee includes.
6. Dental insurance
Insurance can make a significant difference, and it is covered in more detail below.
Does Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?
Insurance coverage for dental crowns depends on your plan. Many dental plans cover part of the cost of a crown when it is medically necessary, for example, when a tooth is badly decayed, cracked, or has had a root canal. Others limit coverage by material, set a yearly maximum, or exclude crowns altogether. Some plans also make you wait several months after enrolling before they cover major work.
Before treatment, it helps to check these points with your insurer:
- What percentage of the crown is covered
- Your annual maximum and how much of it you have already used
- Any waiting period for major procedures
- Whether a particular material is excluded or reimbursed at a lower rate
- Whether our office is in your network
Our team can help you work through your benefits. Call (718) 625-6629 and we will help you understand what to expect before you start.
Ways to Pay for a Dental Crown
If the cost is a concern, you have options:
- Payment plans through our office. Many offices, including ours, can talk with you about spreading the cost over a set number of months rather than paying the full amount upfront. Ask us what is available.
- Healthcare credit cards, such as CareCredit, are designed for medical and dental costs and sometimes include promotional interest-free periods. Read the terms carefully, because interest can be charged retroactively if the balance is not paid in full by the end of the promotion.
- Personal loans from a bank or credit union. Compare interest rates and repayment terms across lenders.
- FSA or HSA funds. If your employer offers a flexible spending account or you have a health savings account, you can usually use pre-tax dollars for dental work.
- Dental school clinics. If you cannot afford treatment at a private office, dental schools offer reduced-cost care supervised by licensed faculty.
Why Not Skip the Crown to Save Money?
When a dentist recommends a crown, it’s usually because the tooth is too damaged to hold up on its own. Putting it off can cost more in the end. A cracked or heavily decayed tooth that goes untreated can break further or become infected. At that point, the tooth may need a root canal, or the tooth may be lost. Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant or bridge generally costs more than a crown would have.
That said, a crown is not always the only answer. Depending on the tooth, a large filling or another option may work. See our guide to dental crown alternatives, and we will give you an honest opinion on what the tooth needs.
What to Expect at Your Crown Consultation
When you come in, here is what typically happens:
- Exam and X-rays. We look at the tooth and the surrounding bone and gum to confirm that a crown is the right treatment.
- Discussion of materials. We explain the options for your tooth and how each one affects the price.
- A written estimate. You will know the cost, what insurance is likely to cover, and what you would owe before any work starts.
- A treatment plan. We tell you how many visits to expect and whether anything has to happen first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients pay between $800 and $2,500 per tooth. The exact price depends on the crown material, the tooth, any treatment needed beforehand, and your insurance. We can give you a specific estimate after an exam.
Metal alloy crowns are generally the most affordable. They are very durable, but they are metallic in color, so they are usually used for back teeth that are not visible when you smile. Porcelain-fused-to-metal is often the next step up in price.
Many plans cover a portion when the crown is medically necessary, but coverage varies. Look at your annual maximum, waiting periods, and any material restrictions. Our team can help you review your benefits before you commit.
Talk to us. Depending on the situation, we may be able to phase treatment, suggest a more affordable material, or discuss alternatives. Payment plans, healthcare credit cards, and dental school clinics are also worth considering.