At a glance
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers a cracked, worn or weakened tooth to protect it and restore its shape. A crown at Richmond Dental Care starts at $1,199 and takes two visits: the tooth is prepared at the first, and the final crown is placed about 5 days later.
Crowns are not made in a single visit. Both crown visits can be booked on a Saturday.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Visits | 2 visits; final crown placed about 5 days after the first |
| Numbing | Local anesthetic to numb the area; you stay awake and comfortable |
| Price | Starting at $1,199 per crown (see dental prices) |
| Between visits | You wear a temporary crown |
| Insurance | All PPO plans (benefits checked before your visit), Medicare Advantage plans with dental benefits, and Texas Medicaid/CHIP for children (DentaQuest, MCNA, UHC Dental) |
| Saturday appointments | Yes, Saturdays 9am–3pm, plus Tuesday and Wednesday |
Do you need a dental crown?
In restorative dentistry, a crown is usually recommended when a filling would not be strong enough. Common reasons include:
- A cracked tooth, or one that hurts sharply when you bite on something
- A large old filling that is breaking down or leaves little tooth behind
- A back tooth that has had a root canal
- A broken or badly worn tooth, for example from grinding
- A crown that is loose, chipped or has come off
- A tooth that will anchor a dental bridge
What happens at your crown visits?
Visit 1: preparing the tooth
- We examine the tooth and take an X-ray to make sure the root and nerve are healthy.
- The area is numbed with local anesthetic.
- Any decay or old filling is removed and the tooth is shaped so the crown can fit over it.
- We take an impression of the tooth and choose a shade that matches your other teeth.
- A temporary crown is fitted to protect the tooth while the lab makes your final crown.
Visit 2: placing the final crown, about 5 days later
- The temporary crown is removed and the tooth cleaned.
- We check the fit, color and bite of the new crown before cementing it.
- The crown is cemented in place and your bite is adjusted so it feels even.
Our guide how our two-visit crowns work explains why we use a short lab turnaround instead of making crowns in one visit.
Cost, insurance and financing
Crowns start at $1,199. If the tooth also needs a root canal, that starts at $899, and a buildup to replace missing tooth structure may be quoted separately. You get a written estimate before treatment; see dental prices.
Most PPO plans and Medicare Advantage plans with dental benefits help pay for this kind of treatment. We check your benefits before your visit and tell you what your plan is likely to cover, so the number you see is close to the number you pay. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine dental care. Texas Medicaid/CHIP is accepted for children only. See our insurance page for details.
We accept Cherry, Sunbit and CareCredit for patient financing (see financing options), and you can use an FSA or HSA card for dental treatment.
Recovery and aftercare
While you wear the temporary crown, avoid sticky and very hard foods on that side and floss by sliding the floss out to the side rather than pulling up. If the temporary comes off, keep it and call us so we can put it back.
After the final crown is placed, some sensitivity to cold for a few days is common. If your bite feels high or uneven once the numbness wears off, call us for a quick adjustment. Brush twice a day and floss around the crown; the tooth underneath can still get a cavity at the edge.
What are the alternatives to a crown?
| Option | Best for | Things to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Crown | Cracked, weak or root-canal-treated teeth | Covers the whole tooth; from $1,199 |
| Tooth-colored filling | Small to medium cavities or chips | Keeps more natural tooth, but not strong enough for a large break |
| Veneer | Front teeth with cosmetic concerns | Covers the front surface only; not for weak or heavily filled teeth |
| Extraction | Teeth that cannot be restored | Leaves a gap that usually needs a bridge, implant or partial denture |
When to call us
Call us if a crown or temporary crown comes off, a tooth cracks or breaks, or biting on a tooth causes sharp pain. Keep any crown that falls off and bring it with you. We see dental emergencies the same day during office hours, so call first. Call (832) 612-2831 — we’re open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 9am–3pm.
Why patients in Richmond choose us
- Saturday appointments from 9am to 3pm, plus Tuesday and Wednesday, so treatment does not have to mean a day off work (Saturday dentist in Richmond).
- Published self-pay prices for common treatment and a written estimate for everything else, with insurance benefits checked before your visit.
- A clear crown timeline: two visits, with the final crown placed about 5 days after the first.
- Two dentists, Dr. Arpitkumar Patel and Dr. Harsh Patel, and a team that speaks English, Spanish, Gujarati and Hindi.
Related guides
- How long does a dental crown last?
- Root canal recovery tips: what’s normal and what to do
- Saturday crown appointments in Richmond
- Front tooth repair options: bonding, veneer or crown?
Frequently asked questions
No. Our crowns are made by a dental lab, and the final crown is placed about 5 days after your first visit. You wear a temporary crown in between.
Yes. Both the preparation visit and the placement visit can be booked on a Saturday between 9am and 3pm.
A well-made crown can last many years. How long depends on your bite, grinding, and how well you brush and floss around it. Our guide on how long crowns last covers the details.
The tooth is numbed before it is shaped, so you should feel pressure rather than pain. Mild sensitivity or gum soreness for a few days afterward is common.
Keep it, avoid chewing on that side, and call us. We can usually put it back on quickly. Leaving the tooth uncovered for days can let it shift or become sensitive.