Last updated: October 2026
In Ontario, a dental crown typically costs about $1,000 to $1,900 per tooth before insurance. The price depends mostly on the material: porcelain-fused-to-metal is usually at the lower end, while zirconia, e.max and same-day crowns are at the higher end. Most of that total is the dentist’s fee plus a dental lab fee of roughly $250 to $350.
Below we compare crown materials, explain what changes the price, and show how private insurance and the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) cover crowns.
Dental Crown Cost in Ontario by Material
| Crown material | Typical cost per crown | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) | $900 – $1,500 | Back teeth; strong and budget-friendly |
| All-ceramic / porcelain | $1,000 – $1,600 | Front teeth; most natural look |
| Zirconia | $1,400 – $1,800 | Back teeth that take heavy biting force |
| e.max (lithium disilicate) | $1,400 – $1,800 | Front and premolar teeth; strong and natural-looking |
| Gold | $1,100 – $1,800 | Back molars; very durable, but visible |
| Same-day (CAD/CAM) | $1,100 – $2,000 | When you want the crown in one visit |
Typical 2026 ranges from published Canadian and Ontario cost guides, before insurance. Your fee is confirmed after an exam.
Other costs you may see:
| Item | When it’s needed |
|---|---|
| Exam and x-rays | To check the tooth and plan the crown |
| Core build-up | When too little tooth is left to hold a crown |
| Root canal | When the nerve is inflamed or infected (see root canal costs) |
| Crown lengthening | When the break is below the gumline |
These extras are quoted case by case after your exam.
What Changes the Price of a Crown?
- The material. Zirconia and e.max cost more than PFM, mainly because of lab and material costs.
- Front vs back tooth. Front crowns often use the most aesthetic materials and careful shade matching, so they tend toward the higher end. Molars can take more chair time.
- How much tooth is left. A badly broken tooth may need a core build-up or a root canal first.
- Lab vs same-day. A crown made by an outside lab takes two visits; a same-day crown is milled in the office.
- Your dental office. Ontario dentists set their own fees, and lab fees vary.
Same-Day Crowns at Bells Corners Dental Studio
We offer same-day crowns, designed and made in our office, so many patients can have the tooth restored in a single visit instead of waiting for a lab and wearing a temporary crown. We usually recommend porcelain crowns for their natural look, and they can last up to 15 years with good care.
Learn about dental crowns at our office →
How Long Does a Crown Last?
With good care, most crowns last 10 to 15 years or longer:
- Gold: often 20 years or more
- Zirconia: often 15 years or more
- Porcelain, e.max and PFM: usually 10 to 15 years
Research on single crowns shows high survival rates: about 96% of e.max and metal-ceramic crowns were still in place after five years in a large systematic review.
Help your crown last longer: brush and floss around it daily, wear a night guard if you grind your teeth, avoid chewing ice or hard candy, and keep up with check-ups.
Crown vs. Filling: Which Do You Need?
| A filling is usually enough when… | A crown is usually better when… |
|---|---|
| The cavity or chip is small | More than about half the tooth’s width is missing or filled |
| The tooth has plenty of healthy structure | The tooth is cracked |
| It’s a first repair | A large old filling keeps breaking |
| It’s a back tooth after a root canal |
A filling costs less today, but a large filling in a weak tooth can crack the tooth. A crown covers and protects the whole tooth.
Does Insurance or CDCP Cover Crowns?
Private dental insurance
Most workplace plans treat crowns as major services. They are often covered at a lower percentage than basic services (for example, 50%), may have a waiting period, and count toward your yearly maximum. Ask us to send a pre-treatment estimate so you know your share before you start.
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
Yes, CDCP can cover crowns, but only with preauthorization and only when the tooth is badly damaged. Under the CDCP benefits guide:
- Crowns need preauthorization from the plan before treatment
- Covered for patients 18 and older
- Covered materials include metal, porcelain/ceramic-fused-to-metal, and porcelain/ceramic
- The tooth must be extensively damaged. For example, a front tooth that has lost its whole biting edge, or a back tooth after a root canal with three or more damaged surfaces
- Not covered: crowns for cosmetic reasons, sensitivity alone or minor chips, and crown lengthening
- Limit: 4 crowns every 10 years, and one per tooth every 8 years
Your co-payment depends on your family income:
| Adjusted family net income | Your co-payment |
|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | 0% |
| $70,000 – $79,999 | 40% of the CDCP fee |
| $80,000 – $89,999 | 60% of the CDCP fee |
If our fee is higher than what the CDCP pays, we tell you the difference before treatment. Check if you qualify for CDCP →
Is It Cheaper to Pull the Tooth or Get a Crown?
Pulling the tooth costs less today, but replacing it later costs more.
| Option | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Crown | $1,000 – $1,900 |
| Simple extraction | About $150 – $400 |
| Replacing the tooth with an implant | About $4,500 – $5,000 for a single implant |
| Replacing the tooth with a bridge | About $2,000 – $4,300 |
Keeping your natural tooth is usually the most affordable choice over time. Compare implant costs →
What Getting a Crown Involves
Same-day crown (one visit):
- We numb the tooth and shape it.
- We take a digital scan instead of a messy impression.
- The crown is designed and milled in our office.
- We check the fit and bite, and bond it in place.
Lab-made crown (two visits):
- We shape the tooth, take a digital impression, and place a temporary crown.
- About two weeks later, we remove the temporary and cement the final crown.
Most people go back to normal activities right after. The tooth may feel a little tender for a few days.
Dental Crowns in Bells Corners and Nepean
At Bells Corners Dental Studio, we check the tooth, explain whether a filling or a crown makes more sense, and give you a written estimate before treatment. We offer same-day crowns, direct bill many insurers and accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
Cracked tooth or a large old filling?
Book an exam and we’ll tell you whether you need a crown and what it will cost.
Book Online Call or Text (613) 421-2222 New Patients2150 Robertson Rd, Unit 9, Nepean, ON K2H 9S1 · CDCP accepted · Direct billing
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a crown cost in Ontario?
Typically $1,000 to $1,900 per tooth before insurance, depending on the material. PFM is usually the least expensive; zirconia, e.max and same-day crowns cost more.
Does CDCP cover crowns?
Yes, with preauthorization, for patients 18 and older whose tooth is extensively damaged. Crowns for cosmetic reasons aren’t covered, and the plan limits how many crowns you can get over 10 years.
Is a crown worth the money?
Usually, yes, when a tooth is cracked, badly broken or has had a root canal. A crown protects the tooth and can help you avoid an extraction and a more expensive implant or bridge.
What is the lifespan of a dental crown?
Most crowns last 10 to 15 years or longer. Gold and zirconia crowns often last the longest.
Is it cheaper to pull a tooth or get a crown?
Pulling a tooth costs less upfront, but replacing the missing tooth with an implant or bridge usually costs more than a crown.
What if I can’t afford a crown after a root canal?
Ask about a pre-treatment estimate, check whether you qualify for CDCP, and talk to us about timing. Leaving a back tooth without a crown after a root canal raises the risk of it cracking.
Can I get a crown in one day?
Yes. Bells Corners Dental Studio offers same-day crowns made in our office, so many patients finish in one visit.
Sources
- Government of Canada, CDCP Dental Benefits Guide
- Government of Canada, What services are covered by the CDCP
- Sailer I. et al., All-ceramic or metal-ceramic tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses: a systematic review of survival and complication rates, Dental Materials (2015), summary
- Skymark Smile Centre, Dental crowns in Ontario: types and cost
- RealDentalCosts, Crown types and materials (Canada)
Prices are typical Ontario ranges for general information and are not a quote. Your cost is confirmed after an exam. This article is not a substitute for professional dental advice.
