A dental crown is a custom made cap that fits over a damaged or weakened tooth, covering everything above the gum line. It restores the tooth’s shape, size and strength so you can chew comfortably, and it is cemented in place permanently. Crowns are commonly used on teeth that are cracked, heavily filled, worn down or have had root canal treatment, and they can also sit on top of a dental implant.
This guide explains how crowns work, the types used in Singapore, what the procedure involves, what a crown costs and how MediSave applies. For an assessment of your own tooth, see our dental crown treatment service in Orchard.
Key Takeaways
- A dental crown covers the whole visible part of a tooth. It is used to protect cracked, worn or heavily filled teeth, teeth after root canal treatment, and dental implants.
- A traditional crown usually takes two visits about 2 to 3 weeks apart, with a temporary crown in between. A same day crown can be completed in one visit when your tooth is suitable.
- Crown fees depend on the material, how complex your tooth is, the dental laboratory and the clinic. Your dentist confirms the fee after a consultation.
- MediSave generally cannot be used for a standalone crown, but may apply when a crown is part of a surgical implant procedure.
When are dental crowns necessary?
A crown is usually recommended when a tooth is too damaged for a filling to hold it together. Your dentist may suggest one to:
- Protect a weak or cracked tooth from breaking further
- Restore a tooth that is broken or badly worn down
- Support a tooth with a large filling
- Protect a tooth after root canal treatment
- Cover a misshapen or severely discoloured tooth
- Hold a dental bridge in place
- Cover a dental implant
Crowns are made to match the colour and shape of your neighbouring teeth, so they blend in once fitted. Not every damaged tooth needs one. A smaller cavity may only need a filling, and a laboratory made inlay or onlay can be enough when more of the tooth is intact. Your dentist will examine the tooth and take an X ray before recommending a treatment.
How do dental crowns work?
A crown fits over the prepared tooth and is cemented in place. It acts as a new outer surface, protecting what is underneath and holding a cracked tooth together so it can cope with everyday chewing. Crowns are made from strong dental materials designed for normal biting forces, although they are not indestructible.
What Is the Dental Crown Procedure?
A traditional crown is usually completed over two visits.
Step 1: Consultation and assessment. Your dentist examines the tooth, takes X rays and checks whether a crown is the right treatment. Treatment goes ahead only once you are happy with the plan.
Step 2: Preparing the tooth. The tooth and surrounding gum are numbed with local anaesthetic. Any decay or old filling is removed and the tooth is shaped to make room for the crown. If very little natural tooth remains, a buildup is added first to give the crown a firm base. We take a minimally invasive approach and avoid trimming more than necessary.
Step 3: Taking the impression. A digital scan or impression of the tooth is sent to the dental laboratory, where your crown is made. This usually takes about 2 to 3 weeks.
Step 4: Wearing a temporary crown. A temporary crown protects the tooth while you wait.
Step 5: Fitting the permanent crown. The temporary crown is removed and the new crown is tried in to check its fit, colour and your bite. Once these are right, the crown is cemented in place, excess cement is cleaned away and the bite is checked again.
Types of Dental Crowns and How They Compare
The right material depends on where the tooth sits, how much force it takes when you bite, how visible it is and your budget. Your dentist will go through the options with you.
| Material | Often chosen for | Things to consider |
| All ceramic or porcelain | Front teeth and teeth where a natural colour matters | Needs more tooth trimmed; can chip |
| Zirconia | Front and back teeth | Tooth coloured and strong; not unbreakable |
| Porcelain fused to metal | Back teeth, or teeth needing a strong base | A dark line can show at the gum edge |
| Metal alloy, including gold | Back teeth, and patients who grind | Metal colour, so less discreet |
| Resin or acrylic | Temporary crowns | Wears faster; not meant for long term use |
Same Day Crowns vs Traditional Crowns
A traditional crown is made in a dental laboratory, so you visit twice and wear a temporary crown in between. A same day crown is designed from a digital scan and milled in the clinic from a ceramic block, so it is usually fitted in a single visit lasting a few hours.
Same day crowns suit straightforward cases. A tooth that needs root canal treatment first, or a crown that has to match a very specific shade, may be better served by a laboratory made crown. Your dentist will advise which option suits your tooth after an assessment.
| Traditional crown | Same day crown | |
| Visits | Two, with a temporary crown in between | Usually one |
| How it is made | Scanned or moulded, then made in a dental laboratory | Scanned digitally and milled in the clinic |
| Materials | Wide range, including ceramic, zirconia and metal | Ceramic or zirconia blocks, depending on the system |
| Suitability | Most cases, including complex or multiple crowns | Straightforward cases, as assessed by your dentist |
How Much Does a Dental Crown Cost in Singapore?
A dental crown in Singapore generally costs between $700 and $3,200 per tooth. Where your fee falls depends on the material, how complex the tooth is, the dental laboratory used and whether you need other treatment first, such as a root canal or a buildup.
The table below shows the usual range for each material. Your fee at Elite Dental Group depends on your own case, and your dentist confirms the exact amount after examining your tooth. For fees on our other treatments, see our dental treatment costs page.
| Crown type | Typical fee per tooth |
| All ceramic or porcelain | $700 to $2,700 |
| Zirconia | $1,000 to $2,700 |
| Porcelain fused to metal | $700 to $1,300 |
| Metal alloy, including gold | $700 to $3,200 |
| Same day crown | Quoted after assessment |
What Affects the Cost of a Dental Crown?
The main things that change the fee are:
- The crown material
- How damaged the tooth is, and whether you need a root canal or buildup first
- How many crowns you need
- The dental laboratory and the level of shade matching and customisation
- Anaesthesia or comfort options
Can You Use MediSave or CHAS for a Dental Crown?
MediSave can generally be used for dental treatment only when it is a surgical procedure. A standalone crown is routine restorative care, so it is usually not claimable. When a crown forms part of a surgical implant procedure, MediSave may apply to the surgical portion.
Our team can explain what applies to your case at your consultation and go through payment options with you.
Dental Crown or Filling: Which Do You Need?
A filling repairs a small area of decay or damage and leaves most of the tooth in place. A crown covers the whole tooth and is chosen when too much of it is missing, cracked or weakened for a filling to hold. A laboratory made inlay or onlay sits between the two, covering part of the tooth when a filling is not enough but a full crown would remove more tooth than necessary.
Your dentist looks at how much healthy tooth remains, how hard the tooth works when you bite and any previous treatment. Read our full guide to dental crown or filling to see how the decision is made.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
Many crowns last between 5 and 15 years. How long yours lasts depends on the material, where the tooth sits, your oral hygiene and your habits. Grinding or clenching, chewing ice and biting hard foods put extra stress on a crown. Decay can also develop where the crown meets the tooth if that area is not kept clean, which is why regular checkups and X rays matter.
How to Care for Your Dental Crown
- Brush twice a day and floss daily, taking care around the gum line.
- Avoid biting on ice, hard sweets and bones.
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
- Have regular checkups, usually every 4 to 6 months.
- See your dentist if you notice sensitivity, pain or a change in your bite.
Dental Crown, Veneer or Dental Implant?
A crown covers a tooth that is still there. A veneer is a thin shell bonded to the front of a tooth, mainly to change its shape, colour or alignment, and it needs a tooth that is otherwise healthy. A dental implant replaces a tooth that is missing or cannot be saved, and it is usually topped with a crown.
If a tooth is too damaged to keep, your dentist may discuss removing it and placing an implant instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a dental crown cost in Singapore?
The fee depends on the material, how complex your tooth is, the dental laboratory used and any treatment needed beforehand, such as a root canal or a buildup. The fee table above shows our fees by material, and your dentist confirms the exact amount after examining your tooth.
Can I use MediSave for a dental crown?
MediSave generally cannot be used for a standalone crown, because it is routine restorative care rather than a surgical procedure. It may apply when a crown forms part of a surgical implant procedure. We can explain what applies to your case at your consultation.
Is getting a dental crown painful?
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so the tooth and surrounding gum are numb. Some sensitivity to hot, cold or pressure is common for a few days afterwards and can usually be managed. If it lasts or gets worse, contact us so we can check your bite and the tooth.
Do dental crowns ruin your teeth?
To make room for a crown, the tooth has to be trimmed on all surfaces. We keep this to the minimum needed. A tooth that is cracked or has a large filling is often at risk of fracturing, and a crown helps protect what remains.
Will a tooth rot under a crown?
The crown itself cannot decay, but the natural tooth underneath still can, particularly where the crown meets the tooth. Brushing, flossing and regular checkups with X rays help us catch any problem early.
Is a crown or a root canal cheaper?
They treat different problems and are often needed on the same tooth. A root canal treats infection inside the tooth, and a crown then protects the tooth from the outside. Fees differ from case to case, so your dentist can give you an estimate for each part of the treatment.
When is it too late to put a crown on a tooth?
A crown needs enough healthy tooth to hold on to. If the tooth is split below the gum line or too little of it remains, a crown may not be possible. Your dentist may then discuss alternatives, such as removing the tooth and replacing it with a dental implant.
How long does it take to get a dental crown?
A traditional crown takes two visits, usually 2 to 3 weeks apart while the laboratory makes your crown. A same day crown can be completed in one visit lasting a few hours, if your tooth is suitable.
Book a Dental Crown Consultation in Orchard
If you think you may need a crown, our dentists can examine your tooth and explain your options. Find out more about our dental crown treatment, or book a consultation at our Orchard Road clinic. You can also call +65 6333 4456 or WhatsApp +65 9788 9407.
Elite Dental Group