How much does a dental crown cost in NZ? What affects the price
Short answer
The price of a dental crown in New Zealand varies from clinic to clinic, so the only reliable figure is a written quote from your dentist. The fee covers your dentist’s time to prepare the tooth, take a scan or impression and fit the crown, plus the dental laboratory that designs and makes it. The biggest factors are the crown material, which tooth is being crowned, and whether the tooth needs other treatment first.
What is a dental crown?
A crown, often called a cap, is a custom-made cover that fits over the whole visible part of a tooth. It is used to restore a tooth that is broken, heavily filled, badly worn or weakened after root canal treatment, and it can also sit on top of a dental implant to replace a missing tooth.
Each crown is made for one patient from a scan or impression of their teeth, then shaped and shade-matched so it fits the bite and blends with the neighbouring teeth.
What affects the price of a crown
- The material. Zirconia, E.max (lithium disilicate), porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) and gold all take different amounts of material, equipment and technician time. See how the crown materials compare.
- Which tooth. Front teeth usually need closer shade matching and sometimes hand-layered porcelain, which takes more laboratory time than a back tooth.
- Treatment needed first. A root canal, a core build-up or gum treatment is usually priced separately from the crown itself.
- Crowns on implants. An implant crown also needs an abutment and implant components, so it is priced differently from a crown on a natural tooth.
- Appointments and temporaries. Most crowns involve a preparation appointment, a temporary crown and a fitting appointment.
Dental cap vs crown: is there a difference?
No. “Cap” is the everyday word and “crown” is the clinical term. Both describe a restoration that covers the whole visible part of a tooth.
Crown or filling?
A filling repairs a smaller cavity and is placed in a single visit. When a large part of the tooth is missing, cracked or already heavily filled, a filling may not be strong enough on its own, and a crown protects what is left of the tooth by covering it completely. Your dentist will recommend the option that suits the tooth.
How a crown is made in the lab
- Your dentist prepares the tooth and sends a digital scan or impression, with a prescription and shade, to the dental laboratory.
- The technician designs the crown in CAD software around your bite and the neighbouring teeth.
- The crown is milled, pressed or cast in the chosen material.
- It is shaded, glazed and checked for fit and contacts by hand, then returned to your dentist to fit.
At Universal Dental Laboratory every crown is finished and checked by a technician before it leaves the lab. Dentists can read more about our crown and bridge work.
How long does a crown last?
With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, a well-made crown can last many years. How long depends on the material, the strength of your bite, whether you grind your teeth, and how well the tooth and gum underneath are looked after.
Frequently asked questions
Is a dental cap the same as a crown?
Yes. Cap is the everyday word and crown is the clinical term. Both describe a restoration that covers the whole visible part of a tooth.
Why do crown prices vary between clinics?
Clinics use different materials and laboratories, set their own fees, and some teeth need extra treatment first, such as a root canal or a core build-up. Ask your dentist for a written quote that lists each item.
Is a zirconia crown more expensive than a porcelain crown?
It depends on the clinic and the laboratory. If you are choosing between materials, ask your dentist to quote the options side by side and explain which suits the tooth.
Does ACC cover dental crowns?
If a tooth was damaged in an accident, ACC may contribute towards treatment. Otherwise cover depends on your health insurance policy. Your dentist can tell you what applies to your situation.