With the global consensus that nothing matches the natural tooth structure, despite extensive efforts to develop restorative materials that replicate it, a gap remains. This is why attention is focused on preventive measures to preserve the natural tooth structure.
But what if destruction occurs? At this point, every effort is made to restore the teeth as quickly as possible to prevent damage that could lead to tooth extraction. Losing a tooth is a significant emotional and financial burden.
One of the most commonly used dental solutions to preserve teeth and prevent extraction is dental crowns. In this blog, we will explain what dental crowns are, when you might need them, and provide a special focus on their average cost in the UK.
Looking for affordable dental Crowns in London? Contact Camden High Street Dental Practice and learn more about our comfortable payment plans.
What are dental crowns?
Dental crowns are restorative shells used to completely cover the tooth crown, aiming to reinforce, strengthen, and protect brittle and broken-down teeth to maintain natural teeth and avoid extraction.
When might you need a dental crown?
Dental crowns are used to strengthen:
- Brittle teeth, such as after endodontic treatment
- Heavily restored teeth
- Badly broken-down teeth
- Cracked teeth
Besides their protective role, dental crowns also serve an aesthetic purpose by restoring the appearance of teeth. They are especially helpful for heavily stained teeth that cannot be improved with simpler treatments, like teeth whitening or veneers.
Crowns can also fix size and shape issues and help with spacing problems. Furthermore, dental crowns represent a main component of dental bridges and are essential in restoring dental implants.
With over 30,000 patients treated, Camden High Street Dental Practice is your top destination for dental care needs. Contact us today.
Types of dental crowns
- Gold crowns
Gold crowns are the most durable type of dental crowns. They offer superior adaptation and marginal seal while requiring less tooth preparation compared to other solutions. However, due to their odd appearance, they are limited for use in posterior teeth only.
- Porcelain fused to metal
These are the most common types of dental crowns because they offer an affordable cost combined with good aesthetics. They consist of a metal core that provides strength, covered by a porcelain shell to enhance appearance. This metal-porcelain combination reduces the overall cost of the crown while maintaining an attractive look. In terms of tooth preparation, these crowns require more tooth reduction than gold crowns but less than all-ceramic and zirconia crowns.
- Ceramic crowns
Ceramic crowns are similar to porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns but lack the metal core. They are made entirely from ceramic material, with a shade matched to the adjacent teeth. These crowns offer superior natural aesthetics, featuring a degree of translucency that closely mimics the appearance of natural teeth. While they are an excellent choice for anterior teeth, they may not be ideal for posterior teeth because they cannot withstand the high masticatory forces in that area.
- Zirconia crowns
These are the most expensive types of dental crowns. The crowns are fabricated from zirconium blocks that are milled to produce the required crown design. Zirconium offers high-strength crowns that can withstand high forces, making them ideal for posterior teeth. However, due to their lack of translucency, they are not widely used in anterior teeth. Zirconium crowns require massive tooth preparation compared to gold and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.
- Temporary crowns
Temporary crowns are relatively weak and low-cost restorations used for a brief period, primarily during the fabrication of the final crowns. They can be made from acrylic or composite resin; both have many disadvantages, but they can serve their limited purpose effectively. Ready-made stainless-steel crowns are also available to support primary teeth until the eruption of permanent ones.
Need help choosing the most suitable type of dental crown? Schedule a visit to our experts and let us help.
Average cost for a dental crown in the UK
The average cost of a dental crown in the UK ranges from £400 to £1,300. This wide price variation depends on several factors, including the dental clinic’s expertise and location, the use of advanced technologies, any associated procedures, and most importantly, the type of dental crown material used.
This is the average cost of different types of dental crowns in the UK:
- Gold crown: around £645
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal crown: around £695
- All ceramic crown: around £795
- Zirconium crown: £700 – £1200
- Temporary crowns: starting from £200 – £400
What does a dental crown cost?
The dental crown cost includes local anaesthesia, tooth preparation, impression, and final crown fabrication and cementation.
However, some additional costs may be required that are not included in the basic dental crown cost, such as X-rays, root canal treatment, post insertion, core build-up, and the need for a temporary crown.
What is the difference between NHS and private dental crowns?
The NHS umbrella covers dental crowns. However, there are limitations on the types of dental crowns eligible for NHS coverage.
NHS Band 3 treatment covers a metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal crown with a maximum cost of £306.80. In contrast, private dental care offers a wider variety of dental crowns, including those available under the NHS, as well as all-ceramic and zirconium crowns, though these tend to be more expensive.
Take your next step toward your high-quality dental crowns with Camden High Street Dental Practice.
When planning for your dental crowns, it is essential to fully understand the different types of dental crown materials and their benefits. Then, you should compare the suitable options with your financial capabilities.
Choosing a professional dental clinic for your dental crowns ensures you receive high-quality crowns that can last for many years.
At Camden High Street Dental Practice, we provide high-quality dental crowns at affordable prices. We also offer our patients flexible payment plans to help them achieve optimal oral health with excellent aesthetics.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our dental experts to discuss the best solutions for reinforcing your natural teeth and avoiding extraction.
