NHS dentists and crowns - metal or ceramic (white)?
Discussion
I need a crown on one of my teeth - 2nd from back, lower - and the dentist told me that it would be metal, and cost ~£230 (or whatever the top tier of NHS charges is) or if I wanted white it would be £500+.
The NHS website is a bit vague, and says white is available - but does that assume that they only offer white where it is very visible - ie front teeth?
I suppose I don't mind that much from a vanity point of view, but the practice is quite "money grabbing" - its mostly private, with one NHS dentist who refuses to do some of the things that are covered by the 1st tier NHS charge (eg scale & polish) and they try to strong-arm you into seeing the private hygienist - so I wondered if this is the same?
Are metal or ceramic crowns better or worse than the other?
As an aside, am I the only adult man that is absolutely terrified of dental procedure? I am bricking it about this appointment next week... just having a filling leaves me a sweaty hyperventilating wreck.
The NHS website is a bit vague, and says white is available - but does that assume that they only offer white where it is very visible - ie front teeth?
I suppose I don't mind that much from a vanity point of view, but the practice is quite "money grabbing" - its mostly private, with one NHS dentist who refuses to do some of the things that are covered by the 1st tier NHS charge (eg scale & polish) and they try to strong-arm you into seeing the private hygienist - so I wondered if this is the same?
Are metal or ceramic crowns better or worse than the other?
As an aside, am I the only adult man that is absolutely terrified of dental procedure? I am bricking it about this appointment next week... just having a filling leaves me a sweaty hyperventilating wreck.
I've had a crown and an inlay done recently. My dentist suggested that metal was more durable than ceramic. I was offered the choice all at the same cost on NHS around the £230 mark.
She suggested that if metal, gold coloured (can't imagine there's much real gold in my crown) is actually less obvious than silver as it reflects less in the mouth.
Mine are lower jaw, a couple of teeth from the back of my mouth and not at all noticeable.
Can't comment on why your dentist wants to charge more for white, but my dentist offered all options at same cost.
As for jibbering wreck, can't say I enjoy the dentist but since changing practice I don't mind going. Maybe a different practice may be the answer.
She suggested that if metal, gold coloured (can't imagine there's much real gold in my crown) is actually less obvious than silver as it reflects less in the mouth.
Mine are lower jaw, a couple of teeth from the back of my mouth and not at all noticeable.
Can't comment on why your dentist wants to charge more for white, but my dentist offered all options at same cost.
As for jibbering wreck, can't say I enjoy the dentist but since changing practice I don't mind going. Maybe a different practice may be the answer.
daddy cool said:
I need a crown on one of my teeth - 2nd from back, lower - and the dentist told me that it would be metal, and cost ~£230 (or whatever the top tier of NHS charges is) or if I wanted white it would be £500+.
The NHS website is a bit vague, and says white is available - but does that assume that they only offer white where it is very visible - ie front teeth?
I suppose I don't mind that much from a vanity point of view, but the practice is quite "money grabbing" - its mostly private, with one NHS dentist who refuses to do some of the things that are covered by the 1st tier NHS charge (eg scale & polish) and they try to strong-arm you into seeing the private hygienist - so I wondered if this is the same?
Are metal or ceramic crowns better or worse than the other?
As an aside, am I the only adult man that is absolutely terrified of dental procedure? I am bricking it about this appointment next week... just having a filling leaves me a sweaty hyperventilating wreck.
Hmm. He can get the hygienist to do the S and P if he likes, but why should you pay privately for NHS treatment? The NHS website is a bit vague, and says white is available - but does that assume that they only offer white where it is very visible - ie front teeth?
I suppose I don't mind that much from a vanity point of view, but the practice is quite "money grabbing" - its mostly private, with one NHS dentist who refuses to do some of the things that are covered by the 1st tier NHS charge (eg scale & polish) and they try to strong-arm you into seeing the private hygienist - so I wondered if this is the same?
Are metal or ceramic crowns better or worse than the other?
As an aside, am I the only adult man that is absolutely terrified of dental procedure? I am bricking it about this appointment next week... just having a filling leaves me a sweaty hyperventilating wreck.
I do white NHS crowns. We are allowed to use any suitable material. An all metal crown is a suitable material too though.
An all metal crown is thinner which means less drilling and tooth destruction. Towards the back teh teeth are already quite flat and so this means less height for good retention(grip). So a good NHS option. A standard ceramic crown usually has a metal shell beneath thus making the crown twice as thick...meaning more tooth removal to allow the bite to be even. So sometimes not a good idea. Private white crowns can be made without metal at all but using a strong ceramic...expensive..so thats why some will have white on NHS and others privately. Hope this helps.
2nd from back, the only person who will see them is your dentist...
I've just recently had a gold crown fitted at my private dentist and was told it was the best way for less destruction of the existing tooth and also more durable.
I'm an engineer by trade so I appreciated the durability over the cosmetic side. Its on a No 6 molar so you can't see it when I smile so all good.
You can defo tell the difference using a private dentist to an NHS one as they take more time and do a better job. Ok so it costs more but hey ho!! Quality costs.
Mine cost £500 for the whole process from start to finish.
I'm an engineer by trade so I appreciated the durability over the cosmetic side. Its on a No 6 molar so you can't see it when I smile so all good.
You can defo tell the difference using a private dentist to an NHS one as they take more time and do a better job. Ok so it costs more but hey ho!! Quality costs.
Mine cost £500 for the whole process from start to finish.
I realise the thread is a few years old but just wondered if the situation with NHS crowns is the same.
I have a molar filling which falls out every 6 months so an onlay has been suggested. My NHS dentist is suggesting £700 for a 'white' one but I was expecting band 3 NHS charge. I forgot to question it at the time.
I have a temporary filling in my problem tooth which will last a few weeks, whilst I make up my mind about the onlay. Can you get ceramic on NHS? Also, can a dentist pick and choose which treatments to do on NHS and which they'll do privately?
I have a molar filling which falls out every 6 months so an onlay has been suggested. My NHS dentist is suggesting £700 for a 'white' one but I was expecting band 3 NHS charge. I forgot to question it at the time.
I have a temporary filling in my problem tooth which will last a few weeks, whilst I make up my mind about the onlay. Can you get ceramic on NHS? Also, can a dentist pick and choose which treatments to do on NHS and which they'll do privately?
Under the NHS dental contract, all the dentist needs to do is secure your oral health. Naturally that will be done in the most cost effective and tooth friendly manner. For example if you have a gap, a denture is likely to be provided rather than a bridge, as no additional tooth structure is damaged and it's quicker and cheaper. With regard to crowns, a silver non precious crown requires the minimal amount of tooth structure to be removed compared to say a metallo-ceramic crown. NHS dentistry is notoriously underfunded, google "NHS dentistry - The Big Lie". Having all the treatment you need for £269.30 - which covers your examination, all xrays, all the fillings you need, all the root canals you need, all the extractions you need, any cleaning you need, as well as labwork such as crowns, is a bargain. So if a dentist offers you a private option for something that looks prettier and requires more time to complete, yes the price will be higher. Lastly, the band 3 fee is a subsidised price, which is why the step up to a private treatment can seem quite big
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff