How much Does a Crown Cost In The UK

Crowns are made out of lots of different materials, and this is the main factor that will impact the cost. The choice of material will often be determined by the placement in the mouth, as we often need to find a balance between aesthetics and durability.

Crowns at the back of the mouth need to be very strong as they will be subject to strong chewing forces, while crowns at the front of the mouth will be more visible, so they typically need to be aesthetically pleasing and strong. 

What impacts the costs for dental crowns?

The choice of materials is the biggest factor impacting the cost of dental crowns. Tooth capping options include:

Porcelain or ceramic

Overview: Made from a mix of minerals like feldspar, quartz, and kaolin, baked at high temperatures to create a strong, glass-like ceramic.

Cost: Between £600 and £1,200 per tooth

Best for: front teeth that are visible when you smile

Zirconia

Overview: Made from zirconium dioxide, a strong and biocompatible ceramic material.

Cost: Between £700 and £1,700 per tooth

Best for: all teeth

E.max

Overview: Made from lithium disilicate, a strong ceramic glass material.

Cost: Between £700 and £1,700 per tooth

Best for: all teeth

Porcelain bonded to metal

Overview: A base of metal capped with porcelain to improve appearance. 

Cost: Between £500 and £1,200 per tooth

Best for: rear teeth, as the metal band may be visible along the gum line.

Metal alloy

Overview: Common metals include gold, nickel, chromium, or palladium. 

Between £600 and £1,800+ per tooth

Best for: rear teeth that aren’t visible when you smile.

All of these materials have different qualities and costs. The most aesthetically pleasing crown material options include porcelain, ceramic, zirconia and E.max. They look very similar to natural tooth material, as they are slightly translucent with a glossy finish, much like natural tooth enamel.

Metal, porcelain bonded to metal, zirconia and E.max are also very strong. These are best-suited for replacing molars, as they can withstand the pressure of the bite. They’re also suited for patients with bruxism.

How to reduce the cost of tooth capping

To help drive down the costs of your dental crown restorations, think carefully about the materials used. You can save money on restoring rear molars by choosing a material that is less aesthetically pleasing. Metal alloys offer excellent quality and won’t be visible when you smile. You could also opt for porcelain bonded to metal crowns, which strike a balance between strength and aesthetics.

Opting for NHS care will also allow you to access heavily subsidized dental crown treatment. Crowns are available when medically necessarily and are charged as a band 3 treatment. You’ll have limited choice over the materials used and are likely to be offered a metal alloy crown for restorations at the rear of the mouth, and porcelain bonded to metal in the front.

Final thoughts on tooth crown pricing

Dental crowns offer a long-term solution to dental damage that can help to extend the life of a tooth and avoid further damage. It could even help you to avoid a tooth extraction, so the lifetime value of this restoration option cannot be understated.

When choosing a dental crown, you’ll first need to consider your budget. From there, you can strike a balance between a durable restoration and one that looks natural and aesthetically pleasing.