Posted by Dr. Taner Cakmak on Mon, 8 Sep 2025
Learn how long it takes to get approval for a dental crown under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), typical wait times, reasons for delays, required documents, and tips to speed up the process.
Processing time for crown preauthorization (approval time)
Typical turnaround depends on how complete the submission is and how it was sent.
- Typical turnaround: approximately 25–30 business days (about 5–6 weeks) when all required documents are provided.
- Potential delays: Missing or incomplete paperwork can add another 25–30 business days.
“The current wait time for pre auth procedure for the CDCP program is 25–30 business days.”
“If they miss documents then it will take another 25–30 business days.”
Reported real-world experiences
- Approvals have taken about 1 month. “Got one authorized in about a month.”
- Some cases take longer — 1.5 months or more, especially after resubmissions. “Took about a month and a half. A decline and 2 resubmissions.”
- One example: approvals for three crowns took 3.5 months.
Why approval times can vary
- Documentation completeness: Missing items (periodontal charts, x-rays, treatment plans) cause delays or rejection.
- Submission method: Electronic submissions (EDI) are faster (about 20–30 days) than mailed paper submissions.
- Resubmissions after denial: Each resubmission extends the timeline.
Tips to speed things up
- Submit all required documentation the first time: radiographs, periodontal charts, and a clear treatment plan.
- Use Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) when possible — it’s faster than mail.
- Follow up proactively with your dentist’s office or contact Sun Life directly at 1-888-888-8110 to check status and confirm submission details.
What speeds approval: the clinical criteria and complete submission
To get faster approval for a crown under CDCP, make sure the crown is clinically required and submit a full preauthorization request with all supporting documents.
Criteria for faster crown approval
| Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Tooth is structurally compromised | Large fracture, decay beyond restoration, not fixable with a filling or onlay. |
| Tooth had a root canal | Crowns are commonly approved for posterior teeth (molars/premolars) after root canal treatment. |
| Tooth supports a bridge or prosthetic | Crown needed for bridge abutment or partial denture clasp. |
| Extensive previous restorations | Multiple large restorations (failed fillings, post/core) that no longer hold. |
Required documentation (include everything)
| Item | Why it matters / details |
|---|---|
| Radiographs (X-rays) | High-quality recent periapical and bitewing x-rays showing the affected tooth. A panoramic only is not enough. |
| Intraoral photos (if available) | Photos of fracture, decay, or failed restorations — not always required but helpful. |
| Periodontal charting | Include perio data when the tooth is part of a prosthetic plan (e.g., crown for a clasp). |
| Clinical notes or narrative | Short clear note explaining why a crown is required (e.g., “Tooth #46 has fractured mesial cusp and RCT; not restorable with filling.”). |
| Treatment plan and tooth number | Be specific: crown type, material, and exact tooth (e.g., porcelain crown #36). |
| Submission via EDI | EDI is preferred and faster than mail — encourage your dentist to use it. |
Covered crown types (what CDCP generally covers)
- Metal crowns (e.g., base metal alloy) — covered.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) — covered in some cases.
- Note: Cosmetic or elective crowns are not covered.
Avoid these common delays
- Incomplete or blurry x-rays
- Missing clinical narrative or tooth number
- Submitting for cosmetic/elective reasons
- Paper submissions that get delayed in mail
- Resubmitting after rejection without addressing the reason
Need help with CDCP crown approval?
Getting approval for a crown under CDCP can take weeks or months unless the submission is complete and correct the first time. Our management team prepares and submits all required documents accurately to Sun Life to help avoid delays and improve turnaround.
Call: 613-519-1400
Email: [email protected]
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Mon, 8 Sep 2025The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a federally funded program that helps cover dental care for eligible Canadians with low or no dental insurance. It began...
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