How Much for a Crown Tooth on NHS? Costs and Options
The NHS Band 3 crown charge, what it covers and the crown materials you may be offered.
Checked by our editors. A dentist review of this article is planned but has not happened yet.
How much for a crown tooth on NHS treatment? In England, a crown is a Band 3 treatment, currently £332.10. That single charge also covers any check-up, fillings, extractions or root canal work in the same course of treatment.
The flat charge surprises people who expect to pay per tooth. It also means the question is less “how much” and more “what will I get for it,” because the NHS offers crowns that are clinically appropriate rather than every material on the market. Here is how it works.
How do NHS charges work for a crown?
| Band | Charge (England) | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | £27.90 | Examination, assessment, advice, X-rays if needed |
| Band 2 | £76.60 | Band 1 plus fillings, root canal treatment, extractions |
| Band 3 | £332.10 | Bands 1 and 2 plus crowns, bridges, dentures, inlays and onlays |
The NHS explains that if you need treatments from different bands, you pay only the charge for the highest band. So if a tooth needs root canal treatment and then a crown, the course of treatment is charged once at Band 3. If you need more than one crown in the same course of treatment, the Band 3 charge still applies once.
Who gets an NHS crown free?
According to the NHS, you don’t pay if, when treatment starts, you are under 18 (or under 19 in full-time education), pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, or receiving certain benefits. People on a low income may get help through the NHS Low Income Scheme.
What does an NHS crown look like?
The NHS band guide says you may be offered a metal-coloured crown on a back tooth, and that you can discuss alternative options available privately with your dentist. The Oral Health Foundation lists the main crown materials:
- Porcelain bonded to metal: a metal base covered with tooth-coloured porcelain; one of the most common types.
- All-porcelain: very natural-looking but not as strong as some other options.
- Gold: durable and usually used on back teeth.
- Ceramic: metal-free, natural-looking and strong enough for all areas of the mouth.
Which of these you are offered on the NHS depends on what your dentist considers clinically appropriate for the tooth.
What happens during crown treatment?
The Oral Health Foundation says fitting a crown usually takes two visits:
- First visit: the tooth is shaped, impressions or digital scans are taken, and a temporary crown is fitted.
- Second visit: the temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is checked and cemented in place.
Because crowns are Band 3, the NHS says your dentist must give you a treatment plan, showing what is NHS and what, if anything, is private.
Can you mix NHS and private for a crown?
Yes. If you want a material the NHS isn’t offering for that tooth, the NHS says your dentist must make clear which treatments can be provided on the NHS and which only privately, and the private element and its cost will be shown on your treatment plan. Ask for this in writing before treatment starts.
How long will an NHS crown last?
The Oral Health Foundation says crowns can last many years if well cared for, and the NHS notes they may need replacing at some point. To look after one, the Foundation recommends brushing twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between your teeth daily, avoiding biting hard objects such as ice, and attending regular check-ups.
For private prices and how they compare, see our dental crown cost guide, and for material choices, zirconium vs porcelain crowns.
Sources
- NHS, What is included in each NHS dental band charge?
- NHS, Understanding NHS dental charges
- NHS, Who can get free NHS dental treatment
- NHS, Why has my NHS dentist charged me for private treatment?
- Oral Health Foundation, Crowns
This article is general information and is not a substitute for advice from your own dentist.
