I need to get a dental crown, but don’t have a lot of money. Are CEREC crowns more affordable because you only need one appointment?

Paula

Dear Paula,

While I can see where patients would think one appointment should be cheaper than two, the truth is a traditional crown and a CEREC crown work out to roughly the same cost. This is because the technology is expensive. A CEREC machine costs a dentist $100,000.00. The payments they have to make for their patients to have the convenience of a one-day crown are substantial. That cost is passed on to patients.

Your best bet is to pick the type of crown that is best for your restoration and then see an affordable dentist that offers the type of crown you want. They are more willing to work out payment options with patients in a financial bind. However, I don’t want you to confuse cheap with affordable.

If a crown costs $500 but you have to replace it every three years, yet another crown costs $900 but will last you fifteen years, which one is actually more affordable? If you have a dentist who is significantly less money than other dentists around them, you should check their reviews to make sure their work actually holds up.

In most cases, dentists are compassionate. They want to help their patients. If you are open and honest about your financial situation, the will likely be willing to work with you.

If you absolutely cannot find a dentist who will do payment plans and you don’t have the money for the crown, you can try Care Credit. This is a medical credit company that will pay your caregiver upfront and allows you to pay them out. Their rates are extraordinarily reasonable as well.

Best of luck!
This blog is brought to you by the Decatur, AL Dentists Drs. Drake and Wallace.