How much does a dental crown cost?
A crown is £332.10 on the NHS (Band 3) or £400–£1,200 privately in 2026 — and the material you choose, not the clinic alone, drives most of the difference.
| Type | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| NHS (any material, Band 3) | £332.10 |
| Porcelain-bonded-to-metal (PFM) | £400 – £700 |
| All-ceramic / E-max | £500 – £1,200 |
| Zirconia | £650 – £1,100 |
| Gold / metal | £600 – £1,200 |
Guide ranges, 2026. London typically 20–40% higher. Always ask for a written plan.
The NHS charge is a single flat Band 3 fee that also covers everything else in that course of treatment. Privately, you're paying for a specific material and lab — an all-ceramic crown on a front tooth costs more than a metal-backed one on a molar because the colour-matching and craftsmanship are harder. If you're happy with the NHS material, it's by far the cheapest route; if you want a natural look on a visible tooth, compare a few private quotes — the spread is wide.
562 zirconia restorations were followed in a general dental practice for 15 years. By the end, 28.33% had failed.
Roughly one crown in four does not reach fifteen years, which is worth knowing before you treat a crown as permanent. Crowns fitted onto implants ran into more complications than crowns on natural teeth.
- Fifteen-year recall period on zirconia-based single crowns and fixed dental prostheses. A prospective observational study. BDJ Open 2024;10:54. doi:10.1038/s41405-024-00214-7 · CC BY 4.0
Prices on this page are ours, read from practices' own fee guides. The findings above are independent peer-reviewed research, cited so you can check them. All sources and licences.
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How much is a dental crown in the UK?
On the NHS a crown is £332.10 (Band 3, England, 2026). Privately it is £400–£1,200 depending on material — PFM £400–£700, all-ceramic or E-max £500–£1,200, zirconia £650–£1,100. London practices sit 20–40% higher.
Are NHS crowns as good as private?
Clinically, yes — the preparation and fit are the same. The difference is material choice: on a back tooth the NHS may fit a metal or metal-backed crown, while privately you can choose all-ceramic or zirconia for a more natural look.
How long does a crown last?
Most crowns last 10–15 years with good care, and zirconia or gold can last 20+ years. What usually shortens a crown is grinding, a poor bite or decay at the edge — not the material wearing out.
NHS charge: NHS England Band 3, 2026. Private ranges from UK practice fee guides, 2026. General information, not clinical advice.