Does Dental Insurance Cover Crowns And Can I Use Medisave (2024)?

As Singaporeans, we always want the most affordable and value-for-money services, including dental crown procedures. We know that Medisave can be used for a variety of medical services, but what about dental crowns? If Medisave can’t cover it, can I use insurance instead? Let’s take a closer look at the costs of dental crowns and what are the procedures that can be covered. 

What is the cost of a dental crown in Singapore? 

Getting dental crowns in Singapore typically costs between $750 and over $1000 per tooth. This varies according to the material chosen and the complexity of your individual case. Crowns made of gold typically cost more. 

There may be two installments, with half of it given as a deposit before treatment and the other half after the procedure has been successfully completed.

The list of average fees paid by private patients in Singapore’s public institutions for certain dental procedures can be found on the Ministry of Health (MOH) website. For dental crowns, the following table shows the average prices. For more details, you may wish to check with the institutions directly. 

*Please note that the data provided is from 2022. For the most current pricing information, we recommend reaching out directly to the respective organizations.

Can I use Medisave for dental crowns? 

Unfortunately, non-surgical dental procedures cannot be claimed using Medisave under CPF. Hence, Medisave cannot be used for the following: 

• Non-surgical root canal treatment 
• Braces (metal or Invisalign) 
• Dental crowns, bridges, or dentures 
• Teeth extraction that do not require surgery
  
   

What dental procedures can be claimed with Medisave? 

You may use Medisave to pay for the following dental surgery services: 

• Dental implants 
• Wisdom tooth surgeries 
• Surgical removal of retained roots/fractured teeth 
• Bone graft 
• Sinus lift 
• Gum surgery 

The fixed limit of the amount you can claim from Medisave will depend on the type of surgery. Claims from Medisave may be anywhere between $250 to $2850 depending on how complex the surgical procedure is. 

You may also wish to use an immediate family member’s Medisave should your own be insufficient. This refers to your spouse, parents or children’s Medisave. However, this is subject to approval depending on your account balance. The Medisave Account Holder also has to fill up and sign the Medisave Authorisation Form. 

Dental Designs is a Medisave Accredited Clinic approved by MOH Singapore. Read more on the FAQs regarding the use of Medisave at Dental Designs. 

Can I use insurance for my dental crown? 

Insurance in Singapore typically only covers clinically necessary procedures. Procedures that are considered non-essential or elective would not be covered under most dental insurance plans. 

Cases, where orthodontic treatment can be claimed with insurance, include those that are deemed medically necessary, such as: 

• When there is an accident that damaged the face or teeth 
• Severe malocclusion that causes tooth decay or periodontitis that can only be resolved with orthodontic treatment

Normally, the following are covered by dental insurance in Singapore:

• Emergency dental treatments 
• Routine preventive treatments and basic dental treatments such as scaling, polishing and dental fillings
• X-rays 
• Teeth extractions 
• Root canal treatments 
• Family members’ dental fees for certain procedures

Find out more about Dental Crown with Dental Design!

Conclusion

Generally, Medisave cannot be used for dental crown procedures because they are non-surgical. However, insurance may be able to cover your dental crown procedure if it is required as a result of accidents. Insurance may also cover other basic dental treatments. For more information on the list of procedures you can claim for, check with your dental insurance provider. 

References 

1. MOH | Average Fee For Dental Procedures. (2019). AVERAGE FEE FOR DENTAL PROCEDURES. https://www.moh.gov.sg/cost-financing/average-fee-for-dental-procedures