What is included in the price of a crown?
A crown is a cap that covers a damaged tooth to restore its shape, strength and appearance. Creating one takes more than the cap itself. When you compare quotes, check that the figure covers each of these:
- Your consultation and any images needed to plan the crown.
- Preparing the tooth, which involves removing some of its outer surface so the crown fits.
- A scan or impression of the prepared tooth.
- A temporary crown to protect the tooth while the final one is made.
- Laboratory fees for making the crown.
- Fitting, bonding and a review of your bite.
Some clinics quote the laboratory fee separately, which can make a low headline price look cheaper than it is.
Ask too whether you might need extra treatment first, such as root canal treatment if the nerve is damaged, a core build up or post for a very broken tooth, gum treatment, or removal of an old crown. Ask for the quote to be written down and itemised. If a crown has already come loose or broken, our guide to a broken crown explains what to do. Emergency appointments are charged separately on our fee list.
Why do crown prices vary so much in London?
There is no national price list for private dentistry, so each clinic sets its own fees. Several things drive the difference.
Material. Ceramic crowns made from e.max or zirconia usually cost more than traditional metal based options because of the materials and the laboratory skill involved. Porcelain bonded to metal is common, all porcelain gives the most natural look for front teeth, gold is very durable for back teeth, and ceramic is metal free and strong enough for all areas of the mouth, according to the Oral Health Foundation.
The state of your tooth. A heavily broken down tooth may need a build up, and a root filled tooth may need a post or core for support, according to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Number of visits and technology. Most crowns take two visits. Same day systems exist, and they come with their own costs.
Clinical time and standards. Private fees reflect appointment length, the clinician's experience, the laboratory used and the checks done at each stage. It is worth asking about all of these, not only the price.
NHS crown or private crown: what is the difference?
In England, crowns on the NHS fall under Band 3, the highest of the three NHS charge bands, with one fixed charge per course of treatment. The current amount is published on the NHS website.
Maida Smiles is a private practice. The NHS covers treatment that is clinically necessary, and some alternatives, such as non metal crowns, may be offered privately instead. Private care gives you a wider choice of materials and more control over appointment times.
Treatment costing more than £250 can be spread over 12 months interest free. Longer terms may carry interest, and the options are set out under dental finance. We also accept many private health insurers, so check whether your policy contributes.
What happens at each visit, and how long does a crown last?
At the first visit, the tooth is numbed and shaped so that the crown will fit over it. A scan or impression is taken, and a temporary crown is placed. According to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the finished crown is usually fitted around two weeks later. At the second visit, your dentist checks the fit, colour and bite, and bonds the crown in place.
In between, avoid sticky or very hard foods on that side and clean gently. If the temporary comes off, call us rather than leaving the tooth exposed.
The same source says a crown should normally last around 8 to 10 years, depending on regular check ups, good brushing and flossing, and a low sugar diet. Habits such as grinding your teeth at night make a big difference. A crown does not make the tooth immune to decay at the edge, so cleaning around it matters.
When is a crown the right answer, and what are the alternatives?
A crown removes some of the outer tooth structure to make room for itself. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust lists situations where crowns are generally not advised, including poor oral hygiene, a high rate of decay, active and extensive gum disease, and teeth that have only had minimal restoration. Clenching and grinding also make crowns more vulnerable.
That is why a good consultation is not just a sales conversation. A crown should be recommended because the tooth really needs it, for example after a large filling has weakened it, following root canal treatment, because of wear or cracking, or to support a bridge or denture.
Depending on the problem, your dentist may suggest a large white filling, an onlay, or a veneer for a front tooth that only needs its front surface repaired. If a tooth cannot be saved, a bridge or implant may be better, and the costs of a dental bridge show how that route compares.
Is a crown worth the cost?
A crown costs more than a filling, and it only makes sense when a filling cannot do the job. When a tooth is heavily broken down, a large filling can leave the remaining walls weak, and a crown protects them by covering the whole tooth. If you took the 8 to 10 years the NHS suggests as a typical lifespan, a crown that starts from £950 works out at roughly £95 to £119 per year of use. That figure is only an illustration, because some crowns last less and some far longer.
What matters more is the cost of not treating a tooth that needs protection. A cracked or heavily filled tooth that fails can end up needing an extraction and a replacement, which costs more and takes longer.
Why choose Maida Smiles for a crown?
We are a private practice in Maida Vale, two minutes on foot from the tube, open until 8pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Your crown plan is explained and priced in writing before anything starts. If you are not sure whether you need a crown at all, we are happy to give you a second opinion.
Dental crown cost FAQs
