How much does a dental crown cost in the UK? (2026 price guide)
A dental crown in the UK typically costs £795 per tooth, anywhere from £327 to £2,445 across the 435 clinics we track. The single biggest thing that moves that number? The material. Here’s what you’ll actually pay, what pushes the price up, and how private stacks up against the NHS.
What is a dental crown?
A crown is a custom-made cap that covers a knackered, weak or root-treated tooth. You’re paying for three things: the material, the lab that builds it, and the dentist’s time across two appointments. The material is what swings the headline price, so that’s where to keep your eyes.
Crown materials – the main price driver
- Metal (incl. gold) – very strong, lasts for ages, but it’s not tooth-coloured. Usually hidden away on back teeth. Mid-range.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) – tooth-coloured with a metal core for backbone. The classic middle-of-the-road pick.
- All-ceramic / zirconia – the most natural-looking, no metal, made for front teeth. Almost always the dearest.
For a tooth that’s on show at the front, most people go all-ceramic. For a back molar doing all the chewing, a tougher metal-based crown often gives you more for your money.
What you’re actually paying for
- Prepping the tooth (shaping it so the crown fits).
- An impression or digital scan, plus a temporary crown to tide you over.
- The lab work that builds your custom crown.
- Fitting it at a second appointment.
Need a root canal first? It’s common before a crown – and it’s a separate bill on top.
Does where you live change the price?
Yep – sometimes by hundreds of quid. The cheapest city we currently track is Cardiff (from £327). Worth a quick compare of nearby practices before you commit:
| City | From | Typical | Clinics | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £350 | £862.50 | 163 | Compare |
| Manchester | £450 | £750 | 24 | Compare |
| Birmingham | £495 | £695 | 19 | Compare |
| Liverpool | £350 | £750 | 16 | Compare |
| Glasgow | £350 | £710.25 | 14 | Compare |
| Bristol | £485 | £825 | 13 | Compare |
| Edinburgh | £350 | £600 | 13 | Compare |
| Ipswich | £650 | £775 | 11 | Compare |
| Leicester | £395 | £670 | 11 | Compare |
| Cardiff | £327 | £725 | 10 | Compare |
| Milton Keynes | £495 | £795 | 10 | Compare |
| Cambridge | £685 | £852.50 | 9 | Compare |
| Norwich | £650 | £850 | 9 | Compare |
| Reading | £450 | £795 | 9 | Compare |
| Southampton | £500 | £802.50 | 9 | Compare |
| Derby | £550 | £725 | 8 | Compare |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | £616 | £725 | 8 | Compare |
| Nottingham | £478 | £780.50 | 8 | Compare |
| Plymouth | £650 | £880 | 8 | Compare |
| Bournemouth | £440 | £750 | 7 | Compare |
| Coventry | £500 | £667 | 7 | Compare |
| Swansea | £450 | £585 | 7 | Compare |
| Wolverhampton | £450 | £715 | 7 | Compare |
| Leeds | £625 | £795 | 6 | Compare |
| Sheffield | £500 | £876.50 | 6 | Compare |
| Hull | £500 | £700 | 5 | Compare |
| Luton | £495 | £825 | 5 | Compare |
| Portsmouth | £595 | £800 | 5 | Compare |
| Stoke-on-Trent | £550 | £750 | 5 | Compare |
| Oxford | £620 | £789 | 4 | Compare |
Live data from TreatmentCosts - updated automatically as clinics change their prices.
Private vs NHS
On the NHS in England a crown is a fixed band charge, and free if you’re exempt. The catch: NHS crowns use functional, approved materials, so you might not get the premium all-ceramic option on a tooth that’s on show, and waits can drag. Private costs more but hands you the full material menu and quicker appointments.
Crown vs veneer
A crown wraps the whole tooth to rebuild strength; a veneer is a thin facing, purely cosmetic, for the front. Here’s how they line up on live price:
| Metric | Dental crown | Porcelain veneers (Per tooth) |
|---|---|---|
| From | £327 | £241 |
| Typical | £795 | £799 |
| Range | £327–£2,445 | £241–£2,400 |
| Clinics pricing it | 435 | 371 |
| Links | Compare clinics | Compare clinics |
Live data from TreatmentCosts - updated automatically as clinics change their prices.
| Feature | Crown | Veneer |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | The whole tooth | Just the front face |
| Main purpose | Rebuild a weak or damaged tooth | Cosmetic change to a healthy tooth |
| Tooth removed | More | Less |
| Typical use | Back teeth, after a root canal | Visible front teeth |
How long do crowns last?
A well-made crown usually goes 10 to 15 years, often longer if you look after it. Do the cost-per-year maths and it’s a bargain next to endlessly patching up a failing tooth.
How to avoid overpaying
- Ask which materials are quoted – and whether a cheaper one does the job on a back tooth no one sees.
- Check what’s included – prep, temporary crown, fitting, any root canal.
- Get the full treatment plan, not just the crown price on its own.
- Compare a few clinics – the gap between the cheapest and dearest we track is £2,118.
- Look just outside the city centre – same quality, smaller bill.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental crown cost in the UK?
Usually £327–£2,445 per crown privately, with a typical price of £795 – the material does most of the talking.
Why are some crowns more expensive?
Material, mostly – all-ceramic/zirconia crowns cost more than metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal. Where the tooth sits and any prep work nudge it too.
Do I need a root canal before a crown?
Sometimes – if the tooth’s nerve is affected. That’s a separate cost, so ask for the combined price up front.
How long does a crown last?
Typically 10-15 years, often longer with decent oral care.
Is a private or NHS crown better?
Both are durable. Private gives you the full choice of materials (better for teeth on show) and faster appointments; NHS is cheaper but more limited.
Ready to compare? See dental crown prices by clinic, or browse all UK clinics for straight-talking, no-surprises pricing near you.
