Dental Crowns — UK Price Index 2026
Dental crowns (also known as caps) are fixed prosthetic restorations that cover a damaged, weakened, or aesthetically compromised tooth. Crowns are available on the NHS in England and Wales under Band 3 treatment at £332.10 in England and £260.00 in Wales, covering the entire course of treatment.
In the private market, crown fees vary substantially by material — the national median for a porcelain crown is £850 as of May 2026. Material choice (porcelain, zirconia, metal-ceramic, or gold), laboratory costs, and location premiums drive significant fee variance.
The crown procedure typically requires two appointments: tooth preparation and impression taking at the first visit, followed by cementation of the laboratory-fabricated crown at the second. Same-day CEREC crowns, milled in-practice, may attract a premium.
£332.10
Covers crown treatment
£850
National median, per crown
£999
17.5% location premium
Crown Price Range — Private Market, UK 2026
Crown Fee Index (May 2026)
| Type / Location | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NHS England (Band 3) | £332.10 | Covers entire course including crown |
| Private — Porcelain (national median) | £850 | Per tooth, laboratory-fabricated |
| Private — Zirconia | £900–£1,200 | Per tooth, full-contour ceramic |
| Private — Metal-ceramic (PFM) | £650–£850 | Per tooth, porcelain fused to metal |
| Private — Gold | £950–£1,400 | Per tooth, full cast gold |
| London Porcelain (est.) | £999 | 17.5% location premium applied |
| Specialist prosthodontist (national) | £1,100–£1,800 | Referred complex cases |
Source: 2026 Aggregated Data — Dentaclarity National Price Index
Dental Crown Fee Index — NHS and Private UK (May 2026)
- Fee
- £332.10
- Notes
- Covers entire course including crown
- Fee
- £850
- Notes
- Per tooth, laboratory-fabricated
- Fee
- £900–£1,200
- Notes
- Per tooth, full-contour ceramic
- Fee
- £650–£850
- Notes
- Per tooth, porcelain fused to metal
- Fee
- £950–£1,400
- Notes
- Per tooth, full cast gold
- Fee
- £999
- Notes
- 17.5% location premium applied
- Fee
- £1,100–£1,800
- Notes
- Referred complex cases
Source: 2026 Aggregated Data — Dentaclarity National Price Index
Material Choice and Cost Variance
The single largest driver of private crown fee variance is material selection. Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns represent the entry-level private option at approximately £650–£850 per tooth, while full-contour zirconia or lithium-disilicate (e.max) crowns command a premium due to superior aesthetics and higher laboratory costs.
Gold crowns, while less commonly requested for anterior teeth, remain a clinically excellent choice for posterior restorations where occlusal forces are highest. Their higher material cost and the specialised laboratory techniques required place them at the upper end of the crown fee spectrum.
The differential between NHS Band 3 (£332.10 in England) and the private porcelain median (£850) is substantial, reflecting the full cost-recovery model of private dentistry versus the subsidised NHS framework. However, NHS crown material options are typically limited to metal or basic porcelain-bonded constructions; premium aesthetic materials are only available privately.