At a glance
| Filling | Crown | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost (no insurance) | $100-$450 | $800-$2,500 |
| Insurance usually pays | About 80% | About 50% |
| Visits | 1 | 1-2 |
| Lasts | 5-15 years | 10-15+ years |
You’ll usually need a crown if
- More than about half the tooth is damaged or missing.
- The tooth is cracked.
- You’ve had a root canal on a back tooth.
- An old, very large filling keeps failing.
Middle ground: inlays and onlays
For damage too big for a filling but not bad enough for a crown, an inlay or onlay saves more natural tooth.
Prices: filling cost, crown cost.
General information, not dental or medical advice. Your dentist will recommend what’s right for your tooth.
