What does the little plastic cap between visits actually cost? Often nothing extra — and that’s the part patients don’t realize. A temporary crown is the placeholder that protects your prepped tooth during the two-to-three weeks the lab spends making the real one. Sometimes it’s free. Sometimes it’s a separate $250 line item. The difference comes down to one billing question you should ask up front.
Temporary Crown Costs at a Glance
| Scenario | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Temp bundled into the permanent crown fee | $0 (included) |
| Temporary crown billed separately | $50–$350 |
| Lab-fabricated custom temporary (front tooth) | $150–$650 |
| Re-cementing a temp that fell off | $0–$150 |
| Replacing a lost temporary | $75–$300 |
The headline number is the first row. At most U.S. practices, the chairside temporary is folded into the overall crown fee — the ADA’s procedure code for a crown (D2740 and related) generally contemplates the provisional as part of the treatment. So if you see a separate charge, it’s worth asking why.
Why Temporaries Exist at All
Once your dentist files the tooth down to receive a crown, that exposed structure needs protection. A temporary crown does four jobs in those weeks before the permanent arrives:
- Keeps the prepped tooth from shifting (teeth drift fast — even a few days matters)
- Shields the nerve from hot, cold, and pressure
- Protects the gum line so it heals cleanly around the final crown
- Lets you chew and smile somewhat normally in the meantime
Skip it, and the tooth can become sensitive, the bite can shift, or the permanent crown may not seat properly. It’s not optional padding — it’s load-bearing.
Before you agree to a crown, ask: “Is the temporary crown included in the crown fee, or billed separately?” Get the answer in writing on your itemized treatment plan. If it’s a separate charge, that’s not necessarily wrong — but you deserve to see it before the work starts, not after. Same-day CEREC crowns skip the temporary entirely because the permanent is milled in one visit.
Same-Day Crowns Skip the Temp
If your dentist uses CEREC or another in-office milling system, the permanent crown is made and cemented in a single appointment — so there’s no temporary at all. That convenience can save you the temp cost and a second visit, though the crown fee itself may be a bit higher and the material options are sometimes more limited. For a back tooth, that trade is often worth it.
When a Temp Falls Off
It happens — temporaries are cemented with weak, removable cement on purpose, so they can pop off. Don’t panic. Most offices re-cement a temp for little or nothing, especially within the same treatment window. Keep the temp if it comes off, avoid chewing on that side, and call your dentist. Drugstore temporary cement can hold it for a day or two in a pinch, but it’s a stopgap, not a fix.
If you swallow or lose the temp entirely, the tooth needs protecting fast — call the same day. A few days unprotected can shift the bite enough to delay your permanent crown.
How This Fits Your Total Crown Bill
A temporary is a small slice of the overall cost. The permanent crown does the heavy lifting financially — $800–$2,500 depending on material — and any prep work like a filling buildup or a root canal adds to it. Most dental PPO plans cover crowns at 50% after the deductible, but they rarely pay a separate provisional fee, since it’s considered part of the crown. That’s another reason to confirm the temp isn’t double-billed. If you’re uninsured, a dental savings plan can trim the whole package.
If you see “temporary crown” as a separate charge on your bill AND insurance treats it as bundled, you could end up paying for it twice. Always request a written, itemized treatment plan, and submit a predetermination to your insurer so you know exactly what’s covered and what’s included before any drilling begins.
Bottom Line
A temporary crown costs $0 to $350 — and at most practices it’s already baked into the permanent crown fee, so you may pay nothing extra. Custom temporaries for front teeth can run higher. The smart move is simple: ask whether it’s included or separate, get it in writing, and don’t let a placeholder turn into a surprise line item. Then focus your budgeting on the real cost — the permanent crown and any prep it requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Temporary crowns typically cost $0–$350, but many dentists bundle this fee into your total crown cost at no extra charge. Before treatment, ask your dentist whether the temporary crown is included in the quoted crown price or if it will be billed separately.
Most dental insurance plans do not cover temporary crowns as a separate service since they're considered part of the crown procedure itself. However, if your permanent crown is covered, any bundled temporary crown cost is usually included in that coverage.
A temporary crown typically stays in place for 2–3 weeks while the dental lab fabricates your permanent crown. Your dentist will schedule a follow-up appointment to remove the temporary crown and cement the permanent restoration in place.