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- Monday to Friday, 9:00am-5:30pm. Saturdays by request only. Sunday: Closed.
Croydon Dental Practice · Restoring damaged teeth
A crown is a custom-made cap that covers a weakened, broken or heavily filled tooth to protect it and restore its shape. Private crowns at our dentist in Croydon on Lower Addiscombe Road start from £495, and NHS crowns are available where clinically needed.
A crown covers the whole visible part of a tooth. It is usually suggested when a tooth has lost so much structure that a filling alone would be likely to break. Your dentist will always consider whether a smaller repair would do the job first.
Teeth with big, old fillings can crack under biting forces. A crown holds the remaining tooth together.
If a large part of a tooth has broken away, a crown can rebuild it and reduce the risk of a further split.
Back teeth that have had a root canal treatment can become brittle, so a crown is often advised to protect them.
A crown can improve a badly discoloured or misshapen tooth, though less invasive options such as composite bonding may be considered first.
The material your dentist recommends depends on where the tooth is, how hard you bite, how much space there is and how the crown needs to look.
Tooth-coloured and often chosen for front teeth where appearance matters most. Some ceramics are strong enough for back teeth too.
A metal inner layer with tooth-coloured porcelain on top. Strong, though a grey line can sometimes show at the gum over time.
Very hard-wearing and needs less tooth to be removed, so sometimes suggested for back teeth that take heavy biting forces.
On the NHS, the crown material is based on clinical need. Private crowns give a wider choice, and your dentist will explain the differences for your tooth.
Crowns are a well-established treatment, but preparing a tooth for one removes healthy enamel as well as damaged tooth, and that cannot be reversed. This is why we only recommend a crown when the tooth genuinely needs the protection.
Some teeth feel sensitive to hot and cold for a short time after preparation. Occasionally the nerve of a heavily restored tooth becomes inflamed, either soon after treatment or years later, and the tooth may then need root canal treatment. Crowns can also chip, loosen or develop decay at the edge where they meet the tooth.
If a tooth is too badly damaged to hold a crown, we will tell you, and discuss removing it and replacing it with a bridge, implant or denture. Alternatives to a crown for less damaged teeth include a large white filling or, for front teeth, bonding or veneers.
A crown cannot decay, but the tooth underneath it can, especially at the margin where the crown meets the gum. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth every day and keep up regular check-ups and hygiene visits. Avoid biting very hard things such as ice, pen tops or nut shells.
If you grind or clench your teeth, a night guard can help protect crowns from wear and chipping. With good care many crowns last for many years, though they may eventually need replacing.
Call us on 020 8656 6959 if a crown or temporary crown comes off (keep it and bring it with you), feels loose, causes pain when you bite, or if the gum around it becomes swollen. If you are in pain, an emergency appointment costs £65.
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Private crown | From £495 |
| NHS crown (Band 3, where clinically needed) | £332.10 |
| New patient examination with X-rays | £65 |
| Emergency appointment | £65 |
The private price depends on the material and the work needed to prepare the tooth, and your dentist confirms it in writing before treatment. The NHS Band 3 charge covers the whole course of treatment, including any other necessary treatment in that course. NHS availability varies, so call to check NHS availability.
Spreading the cost: for selected private treatments you can apply for finance through Tabeo, including 0% interest for up to 12 months. Finance is subject to status, and we will explain the options before you commit. See our full price list for other treatments.
Saving an infected tooth, often followed by a crown on back teeth.
Tooth-coloured repairs for smaller areas of decay or damage.
Thin facings to change the look of front teeth.
Fixed replacement for a missing tooth using crowns on neighbouring teeth.
Croydon Dental Practice is at 202 Lower Addiscombe Road, Addiscombe, Croydon CR0 7AB. Addiscombe tram stop is a short walk away and East Croydon station is nearby, so it is easy to reach from across the borough. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:30; Saturday appointments are by request and we are closed on Sunday.
Private crowns at our practice start from £495, depending on the material and the work involved. For eligible NHS patients a crown is part of a Band 3 course of treatment, currently £332.10. Your dentist confirms the cost in writing before treatment.
The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic before it is prepared, so you should feel pressure rather than pain. Some people notice mild sensitivity or gum tenderness for a few days afterwards.
Usually two appointments a couple of weeks apart: one to prepare the tooth and take an impression, and one to fit the finished crown. You wear a temporary crown in between.
NHS crowns are provided where clinically necessary, and the material is chosen on clinical grounds. Your dentist will explain what is available for your tooth under the NHS and privately.
Keep it safe and call us on 020 8656 6959 so we can refit it. Until then, avoid chewing on that side and keep the area clean.
Many crowns last for many years with good cleaning and regular check-ups, but no crown lasts forever. Decay at the edge, grinding and accidents are the most common reasons for replacement.
Book an assessment to find out whether a crown is the right way to protect your tooth, with a written quote before any treatment. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:30.
