A single crown averaged $1,678 in the Australian Dental Association's 2022 fee survey, with most surveyed dentists charging between $1,250 and $2,100. Patients reporting what they actually paid out of pocket to CostDoc put the median at $1,841, as at 28 September 2026. This guide explains what's usually included and how to compare quotes. It's general information, not dental or financial advice, and every figure is a rough guide, not a quote.
What a crown costs
Two published Australian sources measure crown prices in different ways. The Australian Dental Association's 2022 fee survey, as published by CHOICE, reports what member dentists charged for a full crown as at 1 July 2022. CostDoc collects what patients say they paid out of pocket.
Neither source breaks prices down by crown material, so treat these as the price of a standard single crown. Ask your dentist what their quote is for the material they recommend.
- Australian Dental Association 2022 fee survey, via CHOICE
- FigureAverage $1,678, usual range $1,250 to $2,100
- What it's based onFees charged by member dentists for a full crown (item 615) as at 1 July 2022
- CostDoc, as at 28 September 2026
- FigureMedian $1,841, middle half $1,700 to $1,956
- What it's based onWhat 158 patients reported paying out of their own pocket
| Source | Figure | What it's based on |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Dental Association 2022 fee survey, via CHOICE | Average $1,678, usual range $1,250 to $2,100 | Fees charged by member dentists for a full crown (item 615) as at 1 July 2022 |
| CostDoc, as at 28 September 2026 | Median $1,841, middle half $1,700 to $1,956 | What 158 patients reported paying out of their own pocket |
Why you might need a crown
A crown is a cap that covers the whole visible part of a tooth. Healthdirect lists the usual reasons: a broken or cracked tooth, a badly decayed tooth, a tooth that's had root canal treatment, or cosmetic problems such as stains, chips or an unusual shape.
Crowns can be made from porcelain, zirconia, gold alloy or porcelain and metal together, according to Healthdirect. Material is one reason quotes differ, so ask which one your quote is for.
How many visits it takes
Healthdirect says a crown usually takes one or two visits. The dentist shapes the tooth, takes an impression or a digital scan, and then fits the crown. Some practices can make a crown the same day; others fit a temporary one while the permanent crown is made.
What may not be in the quote
A crown quote doesn't always cover everything the tooth needs. Ask whether it includes the temporary crown, any build-up of the tooth underneath, X-rays and the fitting visit.
If the tooth also needs root canal treatment first, that's a separate fee, which can cost as much as the crown itself. Our root canal cost guide sets out those figures.
Health insurance and other help
Medicare doesn't generally cover dental care, including crowns. With private health insurance, Healthdirect lists crowns under major dental cover, so check your policy's waiting period and annual limit for major dental. Ask your dentist for the item numbers, then ask your fund for a written estimate before treatment.
For children, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), a Medicare dental program for eligible kids aged 0 to 17, lists two ready-made metal crown items (crowns that come pre-shaped rather than made in a lab) within its two-year limit ($1,158 for periods starting in 2026), paying $176.65 or $297.75 from 1 January 2026 depending on the item. Ask the dentist whether the crown proposed for your child is one of them.
Comparing quotes
When you compare crown quotes, check the crown material, what else is included (temporary crown, build-up, X-rays), whether a general dentist or a registered specialist is doing the work, what happens if the crown doesn't fit or comes loose, and the item numbers for your health fund.
A quote well above or below the ranges here isn't wrong on its own, but it's worth asking what makes your case different.
Find a dentist near you
Dentist360 lists practices across NSW, Queensland, the ACT and Melbourne, with opening hours, health funds and accessibility compared side by side.
Frequently asked
A single crown averaged $1,678 in the Australian Dental Association's 2022 fee survey, as published by CHOICE, with most surveyed dentists charging $1,250 to $2,100. CostDoc's patient reports put the median at $1,841 out of pocket, as at 28 September 2026.
Not generally. Private health insurance extras may help under major dental, subject to waiting periods and limits. For eligible children, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule covers two kinds of ready-made metal crown.
Healthdirect says a crown can last many years if it's cared for properly. Ask your dentist how long they'd expect yours to last and what's covered if it fails.
The crown material, whether a temporary crown, build-up and X-rays are included, and each practice's own fees all change the total. Compare quotes item by item.
Sources
This guide is general information, written from the published sources listed below. It is not a substitute for advice from a registered dental practitioner.
CHOICE, 2023
How much does the dentist cost?CostDoc
Dental crown cost in AustraliaHealthdirect Australia
Dental crown procedureHealthdirect Australia
Cost of dental careAustralian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, 2026
Guide to the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, version 14Services Australia
Child Dental Benefits Schedule, what's covered
