10 Dental Crown Materials Compared: Pros, Cons & UK Costs

Trying to decide between zirconia, E-max, gold or a cheaper metal crown? This comparison shows exactly how each of the ten main materials scores on strength, looks, lifespan and typical UK costs—both NHS Band 3 and private fees—so you can make a clear, pound-for-pound choice.

No material wins every category. The perfect crown for a visible front tooth in a light bite is rarely the one you would place on a grinding molar, and allergies, smile line and budget all move the goalposts. We unpack the facts for each of the ten options (in no particular order), list what they usually cost, and highlight their headline pros and cons. After that you’ll find quick decision pointers and a bite-sized FAQ.

Ready to pinpoint the crown material that suits your tooth, taste and wallet? Let’s jump in.

1. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns

PFM crowns marry an ultra-strong metal skeleton with a hand-layered porcelain skin. The formula has been around since the 1960s and still tops NHS prescription charts because it delivers a sensible middle ground between price, strength and looks.

What They Are & How They’re Made

A cobalt-chromium (or occasionally high-noble gold) coping is cast in the lab, then multiple porcelain powders are fired onto it in a kiln at ≈ 900 °C. The result is a bonded “sandwich” able to withstand four decades of chewing yet mimic natural enamel when light hits the surface.

Pros at a Glance

• Metal sub-structure resists fracture and heavy bite forces

• Cheaper privately than zirconia or E-max

• Versatile: works for single crowns and long-span bridges

Cons at a Glance

• Grey metal edge can appear as gums recede

• Porcelain may chip; repairs are limited

• Not suitable for patients with proven metal allergy

Typical UK Costs

• NHS Band 3 fee: £306.80 (England, 2025)

• Private: £500 – £750 per tooth, plus any precious-metal surcharge

Best Uses & Suitability

Great for molars or premolars where durability matters more than Hollywood translucency; less ideal in a high smile line or very thin gingiva.

2. All-Ceramic (Lithium Disilicate / E-max) Crowns

If you want a crown that virtually disappears in the smile line, lithium-disilicate—best known under the brand name E-max—is the poster child. Dentists like it because it combines respectable strength with the glassy translucency patients associate with natural enamel, all without a speck of metal.

Composition & Fabrication

The material is a lithium-disilicate glass-ceramic blank. Your dentist scans the prepared tooth, the lab (or in-house mill) carves the crown with CAD/CAM, and a technician adds character stains before final glazing at about 850 °C. Once bonded with a resin cement, the crown’s flexural strength jumps to roughly 400 MPa, enough for most everyday bites.

Pros

• Lifelike translucency and brightness—no “grey line” at the gum

• Can be bonded, allowing thinner preparations and conserving tooth structure

• Metal-free, therefore no risk of nickel or palladium allergy

Cons

• More brittle than zirconia under extreme grinding forces

• Higher private fee and rarely approved under NHS regulations

Typical UK Costs

• Private practices: £650 – £900 per unit (digital workflow tends toward the lower end)

• NHS: only funded in exceptional clinical circumstances

Ideal Candidates

Front teeth, premolars and minimally invasive veneer-style crowns on patients who value top-tier aesthetics and have a moderate bite force. Bruxers or heavy grinders may be steered toward tougher materials.

3. Zirconia Crowns (Monolithic & Layered)

Zirconia has muscled its way into everyday dentistry thanks to near-industrial strength and the fact it is technically a ceramic, so it dodges every “metal in my mouth” concern. It comes in two main flavours, each with its own trade-offs.

Types & Strength

• Monolithic zirconia: milled from a single Y-TZP puck; flexural strength around 1,000 MPa, rising to 1,200 MPa in “high-strength” grades.

• Layered zirconia: opaque zirconia core (≈ 600 MPa) with a porcelain veneer for added translucency.

Pros

• Virtually unbreakable—ideal for bruxers and heavy molars.

• Metal-free yet opaque enough to mask dark stump shades or implant posts.

• Minimal wear of opposing teeth when properly polished and glazed.

Cons

• Monolithic blocks are whiter and more opaque than natural enamel; characterisation relies on external stains that can wear.

• Adjustments chairside require diamond burs and careful re-polishing to avoid roughening, which could abrade opposing enamel.

• Layered versions risk porcelain chipping at the interface.

Costs

• NHS Band 3: covered, though some labs levy a small zirconia surcharge.

• Private: £600 – £850 per crown, CAD/CAM workflow included.

Use Cases

Back teeth under high bite forces, implant crowns, long-span bridges, and patients who grind but still want a metal-free option.

4. Gold Alloy Crowns

Among all dental crown materials, high-noble gold remains the gold standard (no pun intended) for sheer reliability. It has been used in UK dentistry for over a century and still boasts outstanding survival data, especially on hard-working molars.

Materials Used

A custom mix of gold, platinum, palladium or silver is cast to create a single-piece crown; semi-precious cobalt- or palladium-gold alloys cost less but perform similarly.

Pros

• Proven 30 +-year track record; barely any fractures

• Gentle on opposing enamel—ideal for people who clench

• Thin walls (≈ 0.5 mm) mean minimal tooth drilling

Cons

• Bright metallic colour rules out visible smile-line teeth

• Gold price volatility can hike the lab surcharge

Costs

• NHS Band 3 fee plus extra gram-weight charge (your dentist will quote)

• Private: typically £700 – £1,000 per crown depending on karat and weight

Best For

Out-of-sight molars or premolars in patients prioritising longevity and bio-compatibility over aesthetics; also a sound choice when severe grinding would shatter more brittle ceramics.

5. Base Metal Alloy Crowns (Nickel-Chromium / Cobalt-Chromium)

Base-metal alloy crowns are the no-frills choice when price trumps polish. Nickel- or cobalt-chromium gives big strength in wafer-thin walls and has served NHS patients for decades.

Key Facts

Nickel-chromium or cobalt-chromium alloy; flexural strength ≈ 700 MPa even at 0.3 mm thickness.

Pros

• Ultra-strong despite minimal tooth reduction

• Lowest private fee of all permanent metal crowns

Cons

• Nickel sensitivity risk (about 1 in 10 UK women)

• Obvious metallic colour—poor aesthetics in the smile zone

Costs

NHS Band 3 covers it outright. Private practices charge roughly £450 – £600 per crown, thanks to modest lab fees.

Ideal Situations

Posterior teeth or bridge frameworks where strength and cost-effectiveness matter more than looks.

6. Composite Resin Crowns

Composite resin crowns are basically large, tooth-coloured fillings that wrap the entire tooth surface. Because the same material is used for everyday white fillings, they can be turned around fast and at a fraction of the price of other dental crown materials.

Composition & Technique

• Nano- or micro-hybrid composite resin, light-cured in layers

• Either sculpted directly chairside or milled from pre-polymerised CAD/CAM blocks and then bonded in place

Pros

• One-visit option—no temporary needed

• Lowest private fee; easy to repair or re-polish

• Kind to opposing enamel

Cons

• Weakest long-term choice; flexural strength ≈ 150 MPa

• Picks up stains and loses gloss over time

• Average lifespan 3–7 years, so frequent replacement likely

Costs

• NHS: rarely provided except as temporary cover

• Private: £250 – £400 per crown

When to Consider

Interim cover before implants or orthodontics, children or teens with developing bites, and budget-driven cases where a short-term yet aesthetic fix is acceptable.

7. Stainless Steel Crowns

Stainless-steel crowns (SSCs) are the paediatric dentist’s workhorse. Supplied in pre-formed sizes, the shell is trimmed, crimped and cemented in one visit, providing full-coverage protection without a lab bill. They remain invaluable among dental crown materials for fast, low-cost fixes.

Overview

Nickel-chromium steel shells supplied in molar and premolar sizes for baby and adult teeth.

Pros

• One-visit placement; no impression or lab waiting

• Cheap for NHS and private clinics

• Proven success in pulpotomy-treated primary molars

Cons

• Bright silver colour draws attention

• Margins sit above gum, plaque can collect

• Not recommended as a long-term adult solution

Costs

• NHS Band 2 (child) or Band 3 (adult)

• Private £150–£250 per crown

Clinical Indications

• Decayed primary molars after pulpotomy or pulpectomy

• Temporary cover for fracture-risk adult teeth awaiting definitive work

8. Pressed Ceramic (Leucite-Reinforced) Crowns

Think of pressed-ceramic crowns as the next step up from traditional porcelain jackets—stronger, but still beautifully translucent. A favourite of cosmetic labs since the 1990s, their secret weapon is leucite crystals dispersed through a glassy matrix, giving a lifelike sparkle that rivals natural enamel without a hint of metal.

Material Science

Using the lost-wax technique, a wax pattern of the tooth is invested, burned out, then heat-pressed with leucite glass ceramic (IPS Empress is the classic brand). The uniform crystal distribution improves flexural strength to roughly 160–200 MPa—double that of feldspathic porcelain and enough for most front-tooth functions.

Pros

• Outstanding translucency and internal fluorescence

• Crisp margins thanks to the press technique, aiding plaque control

• 100 % metal-free, eliminating allergy worries

Cons

• Fracture toughness lags behind zirconia; risky for heavy grinders

• Limited to single units—no long bridges

Costs

Private only: typically £600 – £850 per crown.

Best Placement

Upper incisors, canines and premolars in patients chasing elite aesthetics with moderate bite forces.

9. Porcelain Jacket Crowns (Historical All-Porcelain)

A porcelain jacket crown (PJC) is the grand-daddy of tooth-coloured restorations. First popular over a century ago, it proved that enamel-like aesthetics were possible long before CAD/CAM ceramics arrived. Today it survives as a niche, hand-crafted option for very selective cosmetic cases.

Background

Invented in 1903, a thin shell of feldspathic porcelain is fired onto a removable platinum foil coping, then cemented with zinc phosphate or modern resin cement.

Pros

• Unrivalled translucency and shade layering—can mimic the finest natural incisors

• Knife-edge margins allow ultra-conservative tooth reduction

• 100 % metal-free for allergy-sensitive patients

Cons

• Brittle; flexural strength barely tops 60 MPa—fracture risk in heavy bites

• Technique-sensitive; few UK labs still master the foil method

• Impossible to use for bridges or high-stress molars

Costs

Private only: £700 – £900 per crown, reflecting bespoke laboratory time.

Niche Uses

• Smile makeovers needing paper-thin restorations on non-functional edges

• Dental historians or actors seeking period-accurate restorations

• Select veneer-style cases where maximum translucency matters more than durability

10. Temporary Acrylic (PMMA) Crowns

Temporary acrylic crowns are the stop-gap heroes of restorative dentistry. Moulded or milled from PMMA plastic, they protect a freshly prepared tooth, hold the bite, and let you “test-drive” the planned shape while the final crown is being made.

Composition & Fabrication

• Cold-cure or light-cure acrylic placed chairside, or

• CAD/CAM-milled PMMA block for better fit and polish Either version is relined with cement so it lightly hugs the margins but can be flicked off later.

Pros

• Immediate protection—no second anaesthetic needed

• Tooth-coloured, so socially acceptable during treatment

• Cheap and quick to repair if it chips

Cons

• Porous plastic stains and absorbs odours

• Flexural strength ≈ 90 MPa—cracks under heavy bite

• Margins loosen over time; needs periodic re-cementation

Costs

Usually bundled into the definitive crown fee; stand-alone prices sit around £80 – £120 in private practice.

Relevant Scenarios

• Full-arch rehabilitations staged over months

• Implant cases during osseointegration

• Emergency cover when a permanent crown has fractured

11. NHS vs Private Crown Options: Cost Bands, Waiting Times & Material Choice

Choosing between an NHS crown and a private one often comes down to three things: what the service will actually fund, how soon you need the tooth fixed, and whether you’re after a premium material or finish. Below is a snapshot of the differences, followed by a cost-and-lifespan cheat sheet you can screenshot for later.

What the NHS Will and Won’t Offer

• Band 3 fee in England (£306.80, 2025) covers crowns judged “clinically necessary”.

• Labs usually supply PFM or non-precious full metal; zirconia or gold alloys may attract an additional lab surcharge that you pay on top.

• Purely cosmetic ceramics (E-max, pressed leucite, porcelain jackets) are almost never approved.

• Waiting time can stretch from 3 to 12 weeks depending on local demand.

Private Treatment Breakdown

• Full menu of materials, digital iTero scans, and fast-track lab turn-around (often one week).

• Evening appointments, sedation and personalised shade-matching are standard extras.

• Costs are higher but finance plans (0 % over 6–12 months) soften the hit, and you skip NHS queues.

Quick-Reference Cost Table

Material	NHS Available?	Avg. Private Fee	Expected Lifespan*
PFM	Yes	£500–£750	10–15 yrs
Zirconia	Usually (surcharge)	£600–£850	15–20 yrs
E-max	Rare	£650–£900	10–15 yrs
Gold Alloy	Yes (surcharge)	£700–£1,000	20 yrs+
Base Metal Alloy	Yes	£450–£600	10–15 yrs
Composite Resin	No (temp only)	£250–£400	3–7 yrs
Stainless Steel	Yes	£150–£250	5–7 yrs
Pressed Ceramic	No	£600–£850	10–12 yrs
Porcelain Jacket	No	£700–£900	8–10 yrs
PMMA Temporary	Included	£80–£120	6–12 mths

*Lifespan assumes good oral hygiene and regular check-ups.

12. Durability, Aesthetics or Budget? How to Decide What’s Right for You

The perfect crown is the one that fits your mouth, lifestyle and wallet ­– not the material with the flashiest marketing. Think of the choice as a three-way seesaw: durability at one end, appearance at the other, and cost in the middle. Tilt one side and the others move, so a clear set of priorities makes decision-time far easier.

Key Factors to Weigh Up

• Tooth position and the biting load it takes

• Smile line visibility – will the edge flash when you talk?

• Any history of metal allergy or nickel sensitivity

• Desired lifespan versus willingness to replace later

• Available budget or finance options

• Personal feelings about metal versus all-ceramic aesthetics

Dentist’s Role in Material Selection

Your dentist does more than read a price list. Expect a full occlusal analysis, sometimes backed by a 3D iTero scan, to map out chewing forces and clearance. Digital mock-ups or temporary PMMA “trial crowns” let you road-test both colour and bite before committing. Don’t be shy about asking to see photos of similar cases – reputable clinicians keep a portfolio for exactly that reason.

At-Home Care Tips by Material

• All ceramics: use a soft-bristle brush and low-abrasive toothpaste to preserve glaze.

• Metal crowns: floss daily; tarnish is rare but plaque still builds.

• Composite or PMMA temporaries: avoid curry, red wine and smoking to limit staining.

• Any crown on a grinding molar: invest in a custom night guard – even zirconia will chip if you treat it like a nutcracker.

• Skip ice crunching and popcorn kernels, regardless of the dental crown materials you choose.

13. Quick-Fire FAQs About Dental Crown Materials

Still mulling over crown trivia? These rapid-fire answers wrap up the questions patients ask us every week.

What is the best material for crowns?

There isn’t a universal “best”. Zirconia rules for back-tooth strength, E-max wins for front-tooth beauty, while high-noble gold remains unbeaten on long-term wear.

What crown material does the NHS use most often?

PFM with a nickel- or cobalt-chromium coping is the NHS workhorse because it balances cost and strength; monolithic zirconia or full-metal options appear occasionally.

Is zirconia better than ceramic?

Zirconia is actually a type of ceramic. It boasts 900–1,200 MPa flexural strength, dwarfing lithium-disilicate’s 400 MPa, but it looks more opaque.

Are dental crowns porcelain or ceramic?

Porcelain belongs to the wider ceramic family. So, all porcelains are ceramics, but not every dental ceramic is porcelain—think zirconia or pressed leucite.

14. Key Takeaways & Next Steps

Choosing a crown doesn’t have to feel like a shot in the dark. You’ve now seen how ten dental crown materials stack up on strength, appearance, longevity and price – from indestructible zirconia and time-tested gold to budget-friendly resin options. Each offers a different compromise, and the “best” pick hinges on where the tooth sits, how hard you bite, your allergy profile and the size of your wallet.

Take-home rule of thumb: back teeth need muscle, front teeth need beauty, and every mouth needs a material it can tolerate and afford. A short chat with an experienced dentist – plus a 3D scan and maybe a trial temporary – will narrow the field fast.

Ready for tailored advice, transparent pricing and flexible 0 % finance? Book a consultation with Wigmore Smiles & Aesthetics and let’s craft a crown that earns its keep.