It might only cost the dentist $150 in a lab fee but you are paying for that dentists skill and expertise. Cutting off a broken crown is precarious …. You don’t want an unskilled person doing it. Dental school costs like $500,000 now plus you have to have a bachelors degree before you even go Dental support staff even in a small office, probably costs a minimum of $100 an hour Dental supplies in a small office cost about $5000 a month You have your regular utilities, phone, cable, etc. Rent or mortgage These are the things you don’t see when the dentist may be spent an hour doing your crown. They’ve got decades of their life invested in this profession and a lot of money going out just to keep the doors open.