Are NHS crowns as bad as my dentist claims?

Q. Hi. I have just recently been to see my dentist and have been told that I will need a crown on one of my front upper tooth (I had an apesectomy so there is no root and the tooth is very grey). However he said it would be better to go private as the NHS Crowns are not a great colour and is very noticeable in colour compared to my other teeth! I have been quoted £400 if I wanted to go private, which I can not afford as I am four months pregnant. My question being, are the NHS crowns as noticeable as my dentist says?,
A. It’s a risk i think that you really don’t have a choice on. Your health is more important than the cosmetic side of things and it’s always something that you can replace when you financialy in a better position.
Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes
April 26th, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Wendy Says :

i have just had new crown fitted to my front tooth on the nhs it looks awful it is a different shade and it is twisted should i go back to my private dentist to put it right or should i contact the dentist who did the work.

April 26th, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Macie Says :

If your expectations for the result are very high and you’d like to ge the very best result, from an aesthetic perspective, then I’d advise that you seek treatment with a very experienced cosmetic dentist.

September 27th, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Sandra Says :

That is rubbish ! I am an experienced Dental Nurse and have worked both in the NHS and the Private sector,for all of my working life and with many different Dental Surgeons.
The final result from a NHS Crown should be aesthetically pleasing to both the Patient and the Dentist , EXACTLY the same colour,shape as the tooth next to it and fit perfectly.If your Dentist has been slapdash or he`s using an inferior Lab. to do the work that`s his responsibility not the patients.and you as a patient would have the right to complain and get them to redo it ,, you have a contract.with the NHS… NO contract exists with a Private practitioner
Yes a Private Crown can be a bit more perfect ( materially and shading within the crown which NHS Laboratories rarely do.)But any Patient should be more than happy with the final result .Good Luck

September 26th, 2012 at 08:47 PM
Nathanial Says :

I have been getting pain in my tooth. My dentist said I should have a crown put in because food was getting stuck between my teeth. Which was the reason for the pain. Is he right? He also said that if I wanted a white crown I should pay for it. Whereas I could get a gold crown free on the NHS. I have had a white crown before on the NHS and it was free. Is it true that the NHS are now charging for white crowns?

September 26th, 2012 at 08:47 PM
Brett Says :

Most practices charge extra for a porcelain crown on the NHS now

September 28th, 2012 at 08:47 PM
Carol Says :

I got 2 front teeth crowns, days go by, a gap start to show in between the 2 crowns, just want to ask if i can fill up the gap with composite veneer or composite bonding. Or is it better to close the gap with lumineer? which one would you recommend which is the best choice in terms of price and durablity.And why is my crown smell alots, is there any proper ways to clean a crown? or may be i have to visit a dentist and let him do the job.

September 28th, 2012 at 08:47 PM
Kourtney Says :

I think you may need to replace one or both crowns

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