If you have been told that you need a dental crown, one of the first questions you may have is about the price. The dental crown cost in Toronto is commonly around $1,500 to $1,900 per tooth, although the final fee can be higher or lower depending on the material, condition of the tooth, laboratory costs, and treatment needed before the crown is placed. Current Toronto dental sources show that prices can vary considerably between clinics, so a published range should be treated as a guide rather than a personal quote. In this guide, I’ll explain what you can expect to pay, how crown materials affect the price, and how insurance or the CDCP may reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
How Much Does a Dental Crown Cost in Toronto?
A reasonable current estimate for a dental crown in Toronto is $1,500 to $1,900 per tooth for patients paying out of pocket. This is the range reported by a Toronto-area dental source for 2026, while other Toronto clinics publish wider ranges depending on the material and complexity of treatment.
The amount you actually pay may include more than the crown itself. Before treatment, we look at the tooth clinically and may need dental X-rays to determine whether the remaining tooth structure can support a crown.
Consultation with our dentists
Your total bill may also include:
- Dental examination and X-rays
- Tooth preparation
- The crown itself
- Dental laboratory fees
- A temporary crown, when required
- Core buildup if the tooth needs additional support
- Root canal treatment if the tooth has an infected or damaged pulp
For example, a tooth that has already been properly treated and has enough healthy structure may need fewer procedures than a severely damaged tooth.
Dental Crown Cost by Material
The material is one of the main factors behind the price of a crown. We also consider where the tooth is located and how much chewing force it receives. A front tooth usually has different cosmetic requirements from a molar, while someone who grinds their teeth may need a particularly strong restoration.
Porcelain and ceramic crowns
All-porcelain and all-ceramic crowns are popular when appearance is important because they can closely resemble natural enamel. They are commonly considered for visible teeth, although the exact material depends on the tooth and bite. Current Toronto estimates place all-ceramic or porcelain crowns at roughly $1,200 to $2,000 per tooth, with some sources reporting wider ranges.
If a patient is also considering cosmetic dentistry, it is useful to distinguish a crown from treatments such as dental veneers. A crown covers and restores a damaged tooth, while a veneer generally covers only the front surface of a tooth.
Zirconia crowns
Zirconia is a strong ceramic material used for both front and back teeth. Its strength makes it particularly useful where chewing forces are high, although the design and type of zirconia selected can affect its appearance.
Published Toronto and Ontario estimates commonly place zirconia crowns around $1,300 to $2,200 per tooth. We consider the tooth’s position, available tooth structure, and bite when deciding whether zirconia is appropriate. Someone with a broken tooth may need a crown, but the dentist must first determine how much of the natural tooth remains.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns
Porcelain-fused-to-metal, or PFM, crowns combine a metal substructure with a porcelain outer layer. They have been used for many years and provide a balance between strength and appearance.
Current published estimates range from approximately $900 to $1,800 per tooth, depending on the clinic and treatment circumstances. One limitation is that the metal underneath can sometimes become visible near the gumline, particularly if the gum recedes.
Metal and gold crowns
Metal and gold-alloy crowns are known for durability and resistance to wear. They can be useful for teeth exposed to substantial chewing forces, although their color makes them less suitable when appearance is the main concern.
Toronto estimates for gold or metal crowns commonly fall around $1,300 to $2,500 per tooth. The material alone should not determine the choice. We need to consider the tooth, bite, available structure, and the intended function of the restoration.
Read more: “Dental Implants Vs. Crowns”
Does Dental Insurance Cover Crowns in Toronto?
Dental insurance can reduce your out-of-pocket cost, but there is no single percentage that applies to every plan. Many private plans classify crowns as major restorative treatment and may reimburse a portion of the eligible fee. Published Ontario dental sources commonly cite 50% to 80% coverage, but your actual benefit depends on your contract, annual maximum, deductible, and other restrictions.
What dental insurance may cover
Your plan may cover part of:
- The crown fee
- Related diagnostic services
- Certain restorative procedures
However, the plan may use its own fee schedule or limit reimbursement to a percentage of an eligible amount. A crown that costs $1,800 does not necessarily mean an insurance company will calculate its contribution as a simple percentage of the entire $1,800.
Need a Dental Crown in Toronto?
If you need a crown or have questions about treatment costs, our dentists at Walk-In Dental Clinic can examine your tooth and explain the available options. We can also help you understand your insurance or CDCP coverage and provide a clear estimate based on the treatment you need. Contact Walk-In Dental Clinic to book an appointment.
What to check before treatment
Before approving treatment, I recommend checking:
- Your percentage of coverage for major restorative procedures
- Your remaining annual maximum
- Your deductible
- Any waiting period
- Whether your insurer requires pre-authorization
- Whether the plan limits the type or frequency of crowns covered
Read more: “CDCP Coverage for Crowns, Root Canals & Dentures”
Does the CDCP Cover Dental Crowns?
Yes. The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) can cover eligible crowns, but crowns are considered a major restorative service and require pre-authorization. The current CDCP rules cover certain single-unit crowns, including cast metal, porcelain/ceramic-fused-to-metal, and porcelain/ceramic crowns, when the eligibility and clinical requirements are met.
The amount you pay under the CDCP depends on your adjusted family net income and whether the provider’s fee is higher than the CDCP-established fee. For the current benefit structure:
- Adjusted family net income below $70,000: CDCP covers 100% of eligible costs at CDCP-established fees
- $70,000–$79,999: CDCP covers 60%, leaving a 40% co-payment at the established fees
- $80,000–$89,999: CDCP covers 40%, leaving a 60% co-payment at the established fees
Additional charges may still apply if the provider’s fee exceeds the CDCP amount or if you choose services the plan does not cover. The CDCP also has specific crown eligibility rules. For example, crowns generally require pre-authorization, and implant-supported crowns are excluded from CDCP coverage.
What Else Can Increase the Cost of a Crown?
The crown is only one part of restorative treatment. If the tooth is badly damaged or infected, we may need to treat the underlying problem before placing the final restoration.
A root canal treatment, for example, may be necessary when the pulp inside the tooth is infected or irreversibly damaged. A core buildup may also be required when there is not enough remaining tooth structure to support the crown. These procedures are separate from the crown fee.
Other treatments should not automatically be added to every crown case. A patient who only needs a crown does not necessarily need a root canal, post, or extensive buildup. The examination and X-rays help us determine what is actually required.
In some cases, another restoration may be more appropriate. A smaller area of damage may be restored with a filling, while a missing tooth may require a dental implant or another replacement option rather than a conventional crown.
Consultation with our dentists
Conclusion
The dental crown cost in Toronto is typically around $1,500 to $1,900 per tooth, but the final amount depends on the crown material, condition of the tooth, laboratory fees, and any treatment needed before placement. Private dental insurance may cover part of the expense, while eligible patients can receive CDCP assistance for certain crowns after pre-authorization.
If you are comparing prices, ask for a written estimate that separates the cost of the crown from any additional treatment. That gives you a much clearer picture of your actual out-of-pocket cost.
Read more: “What Not to Eat After Getting a Dental Crown”
FAQ
1. How much does a dental crown cost in Toronto?
A typical current estimate is $1,500 to $1,900 per tooth, although prices vary by material, clinic, and treatment complexity.
2. What type of dental crown is the cheapest?
PFM crowns are often among the lower-cost options, with published Toronto estimates starting around $900 to $1,100, although the exact fee varies by clinic.
3. Does dental insurance cover dental crowns in Toronto?
Many plans provide partial coverage for crowns, typically 50% to 80% of the eligible amount, but your plan’s limits and fee schedule determine the actual benefit.
Have you recently had a dental crown in Toronto? Share your experience in the comments. How much did your crown cost, what type did you choose, and did your dental insurance or CDCP cover part of the treatment? Your experience may help someone else understand what to expect.
