Dental Crown Cost in Canada (2026)
A ceramic/PFM dental crown (code 27211) carries a suggested fee of $910–$1,104 CAD before laboratory fees across the six provinces that publish a guide (average ~$1,036). The lab bill is charged separately and typically adds $250–$350. Manitoba, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland publish no public guide, so no figure is given for them. Once the laboratory bill is set aside and the same code is compared, British Columbia ($1,104) is the highest of the six, not Ontario ($1,099) — Ontario looks dearer only because its total is usually quoted lab included. The CDCP provides partial coverage — but mandatory pre-authorization is required before the procedure. Crown-on-implant restorations are excluded from CDCP coverage.
Estimate your CDCP out-of-pocket cost
Dental crowns are partially covered under the CDCP restorative benefit, but pre-authorization must be obtained from Sun Life before the crown is placed. Select your province and income tier to estimate your 2026 out-of-pocket cost.
Dental Crown CDCP Out-of-Pocket Calculator
Province × income tier — 2026 figures in CAD
paymentsCDCP Coverage & Out-of-Pocket Estimate
* Estimates based on 2025–2026 provincial suggested-fee guides (CAD). Actual costs vary by province and provider; figures flagged as estimates are modelled.
If you have the crown placed without pre-authorization, CDCP reimbursement is capped at 20% of the established fee — significantly less than the standard benefit. Always submit the pre-authorization request and receive written approval before scheduling the procedure.
Dental crown cost by province (2026)
The chart and table below combine direct figures from 2026 provincial suggested-fee guides (where publicly available) with market estimates for provinces whose fee guides are members-only. All ceramic/PFM crown figures are reported; implant abutment crowns are excluded.
Ceramic/PFM crown (code 27211), before laboratory fees. Read from each province's own public abbreviated fee guide. Six provinces publish one; Manitoba, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland do not and are excluded rather than estimated.
| Province | Code 27211, before lab (CAD) | Published fee guide |
|---|---|---|
| Prince Edward Island | $910.00 | DAPEI Abbreviated Guide 2025 |
| Nova Scotia | $973.00 | NSDA Abbreviated Fee Guide 2026 |
| New Brunswick | $1,059.09 | NBDS Abbreviated Guide 2026 |
| Alberta | $1,072.55 | ADA&C Abbreviated Guide 2026 |
| Ontario | $1,099.00 | Real Dental Costs estimate |
| British Columbia | $1,104.00 | BCDA Public Patient Version 2026 |
| Average of the six | ~$1,036 | — |
| Manitoba · Quebec · Saskatchewan · Newfoundland | not published | no public guide — no figure given |
Laboratory fees are extra. Every guide marks the crown [L] or + LAB: the amounts above
cover the dentist's work only. The commercial lab bill is charged on top and commonly adds
$250–$350. Quotes that look much higher than this table usually include it.
For the full province-by-province dataset including fee-code breakdowns, see Crown Cost by Province.
Types of dental crowns available in Canada
Canadian dentists offer four main crown materials, each with a different cost profile, durability and aesthetic outcome.
All-ceramic and zirconia crowns
All-ceramic crowns — including monolithic zirconia and layered porcelain — are the most widely placed crown type in Canada today. Zirconia crowns are milled from a solid block; they are highly resistant to fracture and provide good aesthetics without a metal margin. Market cost: approximately $1,000–$1,600 CAD per unit. CDCP coverage applies with pre-authorization.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns
PFM crowns have a metal substructure for strength with a ceramic outer layer for aesthetics. They are durable and appropriate for both anterior and posterior teeth, though a grey metal margin may become visible near the gumline over time. PFM fees follow the published provincial guides ($910.00–$1,104.00 before lab). CDCP coverage applies with pre-authorization.
Gold and metal-alloy crowns
Full-cast gold or base-metal alloy crowns are rarely placed on anterior teeth for aesthetic reasons but remain the most durable option for posterior teeth. A gold crown requires minimal tooth removal, fits very precisely, and typically lasts 20 years or more. Market cost: approximately $1,100–$1,800 CAD depending on gold alloy content and region.
Composite resin crowns
Resin crowns are the least expensive option ($400–$800 CAD) but are significantly less durable — lifespan is typically 5–7 years even with good oral hygiene. They are prone to chipping and staining. Most dentists reserve composite crowns for temporary or transitional situations rather than as a permanent restoration.
CDCP coverage rules for dental crowns
The CDCP classifies crowns under restorative benefits and applies a specific set of conditions that differ from simpler procedures like fillings or extractions.
Pre-authorization is mandatory. Before placing the crown, your dentist must submit a pre-authorization request to Sun Life with clinical documentation (radiographs, tooth condition). Work that begins before approval is received will be reimbursed at only 20% of the CDCP established fee — not the standard benefit rate.
Crown-on-implant is excluded. If you are having a crown placed on a dental implant, that restoration is not covered by the CDCP under any income tier. The implant itself and the abutment-crown are both excluded. See Does CDCP Cover Implants for the full exclusion list.
| Income tier | CDCP pays | Your co-pay |
|---|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | 100% of the CDCP fee | 0% |
| $70,000–$79,999 | 60% of the CDCP fee | 40% |
| $80,000–$89,999 | 40% of the CDCP fee | 60% |
| $90,000 and above | Not eligible | 100% |
Balance billing still applies. The CDCP reimbursement is based on its own established fee grid, which is typically lower than provincial suggested-fee guide amounts. Even at the 100% tier, you may owe the difference between your dentist's charge and the CDCP grid fee. Ask your dentist whether they accept CDCP assignment billing before the appointment.
Frequency limits apply. The CDCP will not cover a new crown on the same tooth more frequently than once every five years in standard circumstances.
How the crown procedure works
A conventional crown typically takes two appointments:
Appointment 1 — preparation and impressions: The tooth is reduced in size (usually 1–2 mm on all surfaces) under local anaesthetic to create space for the crown. An impression or digital scan is taken and sent to a dental laboratory. A temporary crown is placed to protect the prepared tooth while the permanent crown is fabricated (usually 2–3 weeks).
Appointment 2 — cementation: The temporary crown is removed, the permanent crown is checked for fit and colour match, and it is cemented in place.
Same-day CEREC/CAD-CAM crowns complete both steps in one visit using in-office milling. The digital scan is taken, the crown is milled on-site in 15–30 minutes, and it is bonded the same day. This eliminates the temporary crown and the waiting period, but typically adds $200–$400 to the fee.
Open dataset
Crown cost data on this page comes from our publicly licensed dataset:
Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland figures are market estimates because their provincial fee guides are not publicly available and are flagged as such throughout this page.
Related pages
- Crown Types & Materials — ceramic, PFM, gold and resin compared in depth
- Crown vs Veneer — when to choose a crown over a veneer
- Crown Cost by Province — full province-by-province fee table
- Does CDCP Cover Crowns — detailed CDCP crown eligibility rules
- CDCP Coverage Guide — full 2026 coverage matrix
- Dental Costs in Canada — all procedures, recall exam to implants
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental crown cost in Canada?
Does the CDCP cover dental crowns?
Which type of dental crown is cheapest in Canada?
Can I get a crown the same day in Canada?
How long do dental crowns last in Canada?
Independent dental pricing research — figures verified against provincial suggested-fee guides (ODA, ACDQ, BCDA, etc.) and the CDCP coverage rules published on canada.ca. Pricing/market research, not medical or dental advice.
This page provides pricing and market research information, NOT medical or dental advice. Real Dental Costs is an independent data publisher and is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or Sun Life Financial. Manitoba, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland crown figures are 2026 market estimates and are not sourced from official public provincial fee guides.