Dental Crown Cost London

Why dental crown costs vary

The cost of a dental crown depends on three main factors: the material chosen, the position of the tooth, and the complexity of the case. Porcelain crowns start from £995 and provide the most natural appearance, making them the typical choice for front teeth. Zirconia crowns are exceptionally strong and start from £1,195 — well suited to back teeth, heavy biters and patients who grind. Metal-ceramic (PFM) crowns combine a metal core with a porcelain exterior and offer reliable, cost-effective restoration from £1,030.

Additional factors that can affect the final cost include whether root canal treatment, a post-and-core build-up or gum surgery is needed before the crown can be fitted. These are not always required, but if they are clinically indicated they will be itemised separately in your written treatment plan before any work begins.

Crown materials compared

Understanding the different crown materials helps you compare costs against long-term value:

• Porcelain (all-ceramic) crowns — most natural-looking, ideal for front teeth. Translucent like natural enamel. 10–15 year lifespan.
• Zirconia crowns — exceptionally strong, virtually chip-proof. Excellent for back teeth and bruxism patients. 15–25+ year lifespan.
• Metal-ceramic (PFM) crowns — proven, reliable and cost-effective. Strong metal core with porcelain exterior. 15–20 year lifespan.
• e.max all-ceramic crowns — high translucency and excellent aesthetics, popular for cosmetic front-tooth restorations. 10–15 year lifespan.

Dental membership — waiting list & eligibility

SPMD operates a dental membership scheme that provides reduced fees on most treatments, including crowns. The prices on this page are our standard treatment fees. Membership is not available on demand: places are limited and currently allocated through a waiting list, with clinical suitability assessed at an in-person consultation:

1. Join the waiting list via reception or the membership page
2. Attend an initial consultation with one of our dentists
3. Your dentist confirms clinical suitability for the scheme
4. If a place is available, membership terms, fees and benefits are explained in writing
5. Subsequent treatment is then charged under the membership fee schedule

Until membership has been offered and accepted in writing, all treatment is quoted and charged at the standard fees shown on this page. Full terms and conditions are available on the membership page.

Dental crown vs veneer: cost comparison

A dental crown (from £995) covers the entire tooth and is used to restore broken, heavily filled, root-treated or significantly weakened teeth. A porcelain veneer covers only the front surface of the tooth and is used primarily for cosmetic improvement of teeth that are otherwise structurally sound. Crowns require more tooth preparation than veneers but provide substantially greater structural support. The choice between a crown and a veneer is a clinical decision based on how much healthy tooth structure remains and what the treatment goal is — your dentist will discuss the most appropriate option at your consultation.

The dental crown process and timeline

Understanding the treatment process helps you plan both your time and finances. A dental crown typically requires two appointments over 1–2 weeks:

1. Consultation & assessment — your dentist examines the tooth, takes X-rays where appropriate, discusses crown material options and provides a personalised written treatment plan with itemised pricing. A free 15-minute consultation is available, or a full one-hour assessment (£80) for more complex cases.
2. Tooth preparation & impressions (approximately 60 minutes) — the tooth is gently shaped under local anaesthetic to receive the crown. Precise impressions or a digital scan are taken and sent to the dental laboratory. A temporary crown is fitted.
3. Laboratory fabrication (1–2 weeks) — your custom crown is crafted to match the colour, shape and translucency of your natural teeth. You wear the temporary crown during this period.
4. Final fitting & cementation (approximately 30–45 minutes) — your permanent crown is checked for fit, shade and bite, then permanently cemented in place.

Risks, limitations and informed consent

As with any dental procedure, patients should be fully aware of the potential risks before consenting to crown treatment:

• Crown preparation requires permanent removal of some healthy tooth structure — this is irreversible
• The tooth may become sensitive to temperature for a short period after preparation
• In a small proportion of cases the underlying nerve may become inflamed and require root canal treatment
• The crown may chip, debond or fracture over time and require repair or replacement
• Decay can develop at the crown margin if oral hygiene is not maintained
• In rare cases the underlying tooth may eventually fail and require extraction
• Crown colour cannot be changed once cemented — shade selection is finalised before fitting

Your dentist will discuss these risks with you and obtain written informed consent before treatment begins. If a crown is not the most suitable option for your case, alternative treatments — including onlays, large fillings, veneers or other restorative approaches — will be discussed.

How crown costs compare to other restorative treatments

For context, here is how dental crown pricing compares to related restorative treatments at our clinic. All prices below are standard fees.