Dental crowns are widely used restorative solutions designed to reinforce brittle or severely damaged teeth. These full-coverage caps encircle the entire circumference of the tooth’s crown.
Dental crowns are especially beneficial for severely damaged teeth to prevent further breakage, for heavily restored teeth to protect them from fracture, and after root canal treatment to provide support as the tooth becomes brittle.
Additionally, a dental crown can be used on healthy teeth with congenital defects to alter their shape or size. Crowns can also cover severe tooth staining that has not responded to other treatments, such as teeth whitening or veneers.
During the planning process for dental crowns, it is essential to understand the different types and their associated costs to make the right decision. In this blog, we will explore the average price of various dental crowns in the UK to help you make an informed choice.
Planning to receive a dental crown? Schedule a consultation with London’s top experts here to learn more about your choices.
Understanding the dental crown procedure
After confirming the need for dental crowns, the procedure is straightforward and typically requires two to three visits.
During your first visit, local anaesthesia is administered, followed by a high-speed rotary device to remove a specific amount of tooth structure all around.
This reduction is necessary to create space for seating the dental crown within the natural tooth contour without causing it to appear bulky. The amount of tooth structure removed depends on the type of dental crown material selected.
Following tooth preparation, an impression is taken to capture the details of the prepared tooth and is sent to the dental laboratory to fabricate the final restoration. Dental impressions can be made using conventional impression materials or digitally with highly advanced intraoral scanners.
At the end of your visit, a temporary crown may be fabricated to prevent tooth sensitivity if the associated tooth is vital.
During your next visit, the final crown will be tried on, and if everything fits properly, it will be cemented. If any additional adjustments are needed, the dental crown will be sent back to the dental lab for modifications and then cemented during a subsequent visit.
Different types of dental crowns
- Metal crowns
These are the most durable types of crowns, offering superior adaptation with the natural teeth margin. They can be fabricated from gold alloy or base metal alloys, such as nickel, chromium, and cobalt.
Metallic crowns have high strength that can withstand the high masticatory forces in the posterior region. However, due to their metallic colour, they cannot be used on anterior teeth.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns were developed as a step toward achieving better aesthetics while retaining the strength advantages of metal crowns. These crowns consist of a metal core that provides high durability, covered by a porcelain layer that matches the natural shade of your teeth, offering an attractive appearance.
PFM crowns are more expensive and require greater tooth reduction compared to metal crowns. They can be used on both anterior and posterior teeth.
- Ceramic crowns
Ceramic crowns are made entirely from ceramic materials, without any metal components. They offer high strength and durability and can be fabricated from zirconia or Lithium Disilicate.
Zirconium crowns are stronger and can withstand high masticatory forces; however, they are slightly opaque, which limits their use to posterior teeth. Lithium Disilicate crowns, such as E.max, are more translucent, making them ideal for anterior teeth.
- Acrylic and stainless-steel crowns
Acrylic resin and stainless-steel crowns are the least expensive types of dental crowns. However, they have the lowest strength and limited durability, which is why they are used only as temporary crowns until the permanent ones are fabricated. This approach is especially beneficial for preventing tooth sensitivity in prepared teeth that are still vital.
Stainless steel crowns are prefabricated and used to reinforce primary teeth until they naturally shed.
Choosing the right dental crown can feel overwhelming, but with our team by your side, the process becomes simple. Click here and let our dental experts guide you to the best choice.
Factors affecting dental crown cost
The cost of a dental crown depends on many factors; however, the most important factor is the material used to fabricate the crown. All-ceramic crowns offer superior aesthetics along with high strength and durability; however, they are very expensive. In contrast, metal and gold crowns are more affordable and provide high strength and durability, but they are less visually appealing.
This demonstrates that no single material used in dental crown fabrication can provide all the desired qualities. Therefore, you must make a compromise based on your specific needs and oral health requirements.
Other factors that may contribute to the cost of a dental crown include selecting a reputable dental clinic with highly experienced dentists, as their expertise influences the final price of any treatment.
Additionally, the use of advanced dental technologies, such as intraoral scanners for impression making, along with high-quality dental materials and reputable dental laboratories, can influence the cost of your dental crown.
Another factor that can significantly impact the final cost of a dental crown is the need for additional procedures, such as core build-up, root canal treatment, and the fabrication of a temporary crown. These steps are not included in the basic dental crown fee.
Looking for affordable, yet high-quality dental crowns in London? Contact Dulwich Dental Office today.
Average dental crown cost in the UK
- Gold crowns: starting from £645.
- Porcelain fused to metal: starting from £695.
- All ceramic crowns: starting from £795.
- Dental crowns covered by NHS: maximum £306.80 under band 3 treatment. However, NHS coverage is limited to metal and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns only.
Invest in your oral health and choose the Dulwich Dental Office
Dulwich Dental Office specialises in providing high-quality dental crowns designed for long-lasting durability. We also understand the financial challenges our patients may encounter; therefore, we offer flexible payment options and special practice plans to help our patients achieve optimal oral health without financial strain.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our experts, who will help you make an informed decision about your dental crown.
