Dental Crown Cost Singapore: Price Guide & Medisave Coverage
Quick answer
Dental crowns in Singapore cost $800–$3,500 per tooth depending on the material and clinic type. Polyclinics charge $400–$800, while private practices charge $1,500–$3,500 for porcelain or ceramic crowns. Medisave can cover 50% of approved costs at restructured polyclinics. Metal crowns are cheaper ($800–$1,500) but visible on front teeth.
Here's what most Singapore patients face: - Polyclinic crowns: $400–$800 SGD per tooth, with Medisave covering up to 50% of approved costs - Private clinic crowns: $1,500–$3,500 SGD per tooth, depending on the dentist and materials used - Emergency same-day crowns: $2,000–$3,500 SGD, typically only available in private practices The biggest price driver is the crown material.
What you'll actually pay for a dental crown in Singapore
When I needed a crown after a filling cracked on my back molar, I expected a straightforward price quote. Instead, I got five different numbers from five different clinics — and nobody explained why they varied so much until I actually understood what was going into each crown. The material, the dentist's experience, and whether you're at a polyclinic or a private practice all make a real difference.
The price of a crown depends on where you go and what material you choose. Here's what most Singapore patients face:
- Polyclinic crowns: $400–$800 SGD per tooth, with Medisave covering up to 50% of approved costs
- Private clinic crowns: $1,500–$3,500 SGD per tooth, depending on the dentist and materials used
- Emergency same-day crowns: $2,000–$3,500 SGD, typically only available in private practices
The biggest price driver is the crown material. A full gold crown costs $1,000–$2,500 and lasts the longest but is visible on front teeth. A porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown costs $1,200–$2,500 and looks natural but can show a grey line at the gum over time. An all-ceramic or all-porcelain crown costs $1,800–$3,500 and looks the most natural, with no metal showing. A zirconia crown costs $2,000–$3,500 and is the strongest ceramic option, often recommended for back teeth under heavy chewing pressure.
Private clinics in central areas (Orchard, Marina Bay) typically charge 20–30% more than clinics in heartland locations. A dentist with 15+ years of experience and prosthodontics training will usually charge more than a general dentist, but your crown is often more durable and better-fitted.
The procedure itself takes 2 visits over 1–2 weeks: the first visit is tooth preparation and impression (45–60 minutes), and the second is fitting and cementing the permanent crown (30–45 minutes). Some clinics charge a separate lab fee ($200–$400) on top of the crown fee.
Can you use Medisave for a dental crown in Singapore?
I spent weeks after my crown was done wondering if I could claim it through Medisave. I finally called CPF and discovered I could claim it — but only at a restructured polyclinic, and only 50% of the cost. At my private dentist, nothing was covered. That conversation saved me $300, but it also meant understanding exactly where my money was going.
Medisave can cover part of your crown cost, but only in specific circumstances. Here's exactly how it works:
- 1Restructured polyclinics only: Medisave covers 50% of approved crown costs at government-restructured clinics (like NUS Dental Centre, Raffles Medical, or your local polyclinic dental wing), up to a set limit per claim
- 2Private clinics: Medisave does NOT cover crowns at private practices, even if the dentist is registered with the Singapore Dental Council
- 3Approved materials only: Medisave only covers routine materials (e.g. PFM crowns, full cast crowns). Premium materials like zirconia or all-ceramic crowns may have higher out-of-pocket costs
- 4Claim timing: You can claim Medisave at the time of treatment if the clinic is Medisave-approved, or file a claim within 2 years of treatment
Check with your chosen clinic first — ask directly if they are Medisave-approved and what the approved crown cost is. Not all polyclinics offer crowns through Medisave; some focus only on basic restorative work.
CHAS (Community Health Assist Scheme) subsidies apply only to basic fillings and extractions, not crowns. If you earn below $1,800/month household income, ask your clinic about additional hardship grants.
How long dental crowns last and what happens when they fail
After my crown was done, a friend asked me how long it would last. I realised I'd never actually asked the dentist that question — I just paid and left. When I called back, she told me porcelain crowns typically last 10–15 years, but everything depends on your bite and habits. That context actually made the price feel more reasonable.
A well-made crown typically lasts 10–15 years. Some last 20+ years if you maintain good oral hygiene and avoid grinding your teeth. However, the crown itself doesn't decay — what fails is the fit, the cement seal, or the tooth underneath.
- All-ceramic crowns: 10–15 years on back teeth, 15–20 years on front teeth (lower chewing force)
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns: 10–15 years; the porcelain can chip if you bite hard objects like ice or hard candy
- Zirconia crowns: 15–20 years, most durable for back teeth
- Gold crowns: 20–30 years or longer, virtually never break but are expensive and visible
What actually makes a crown fail:
- Decay under the crown (from poor flossing around the crown edge) — requires a new crown
- Cement breaking down (after 10–15 years is normal) — the crown falls off or becomes loose
- Chipping or cracking the crown surface — can sometimes be repaired, but often needs replacement
- Root canal failure inside the tooth — if the tooth gets infected after being crowned, it may need root canal retreatment or extraction
If your crown chips, cracks, or falls off, the cost to replace it is the same as the original crown ($800–$3,500, depending on material and clinic). If you catch it early (loose but still attached), some dentists can re-cement it for $200–$400.
Avoid chewing hard foods (nuts, hard sweets, ice) on a crowned tooth, especially in the first 24 hours after cementation. Also floss daily around the crown edge — this is the single biggest predictor of how long your crown lasts.
Porcelain vs. metal crowns: is the cost worth it?
When my dentist showed me the material options, I had no idea whether paying the extra $1,000 for porcelain instead of metal was actually worth it. She showed me two crowns side by side — one looked natural, one looked like a tooth-shaped button. That visual comparison made the decision clear, but it also made me understand what I was actually paying for.
Whether porcelain is worth the extra cost depends on where the tooth is and whether it's visible when you smile.
Front teeth (incisors, canines): Porcelain is strongly recommended. A metal crown on a front tooth is immediately visible when you talk or smile, and most patients find it unacceptable. The extra cost ($1,500–$3,500 for porcelain vs. $800–$1,500 for metal) is justified because the visual result is the whole point. A full-ceramic or zirconia crown looks completely natural and matches your other teeth.
Back teeth (molars, premolars): Metal or PFM is often sufficient. These teeth are not visible when you smile, and metal crowns are more durable under heavy chewing force. A full-metal crown costs $800–$1,500 and lasts 20–30 years. A porcelain-fused-to-metal crown costs $1,200–$2,500 and offers a compromise — it looks better than pure metal but isn't fully visible anyway. An all-ceramic crown costs $1,800–$3,500 and is strongest if you grind your teeth or chew very hard.
Durability comparison:
- Metal and gold: Virtually never chip or crack; last 20–30 years
- PFM (porcelain-fused-to-metal): Porcelain can chip if you bite hard; lasts 10–15 years
- All-ceramic: Can chip or crack if you grind or bite hard; lasts 10–20 years
- Zirconia: Extremely durable; lasts 15–20 years and looks natural
Most Singapore dentists recommend zirconia for visible front teeth (best balance of appearance and durability) and gold or zirconia for back teeth where durability is critical. If cost is your main concern, PFM on front teeth and metal on back teeth is a practical middle ground that costs $1,200–$2,000 total.
CEREC is a system that designs and mills a ceramic crown in-clinic within a few hours. If your dentist has CEREC, you can get a crown in a single visit instead of two.
Crown preparation involves filing down the natural tooth on all sides to make space for the crown to fit over it. The amount removed depends on the material and the extent of damage.
Cost in Singapore
$800–$3,500 SGD per tooth (polyclinics $400–$800 with Medisave; private practices $1,500–$3,500)
Medisave covers 50% of approved crown costs at restructured polyclinics (e.g. NUS Dental Centre, Raffles Medical polyclinic) only. Private clinics are not Medisave-claimable. CHAS subsidies do not cover crowns. Ask your chosen clinic directly if it is Medisave-approved and what the approved cost is before booking.
Key takeaways
- Dental crowns cost $800–$3,500 in Singapore; polyclinics with Medisave coverage cost $400–$800 with 50% subsidy available.
- Porcelain and ceramic crowns ($1,800–$3,500) look natural but are more prone to chipping than metal or zirconia crowns.
- A well-fitted crown lasts 10–15 years on average; most failures are caused by decay under the crown or cement breakdown, not breakage of the crown itself.
- Medisave covers 50% of approved crowns at restructured polyclinics only — private clinics are not covered.
- Front teeth crowns should prioritize appearance (ceramic or zirconia); back teeth can use metal or zirconia for maximum durability.
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