Updated May 2026
NHS Crown and Bridge Cost: £332.10 (Band 3, April 2026)
An NHS crown or bridge is £332.10 from 1 April 2026 (Band 3 charge). A crown and a bridge in the same course of treatment is also £332.10. Private equivalents range from £500 for a basic crown to £2,500 for a multi-unit bridge.
BAND 3 CHARGE (APRIL 2026)
£332.10
Up from £326.70 in 2025/26 (up 1.7%)
£332.10 is the maximum NHS dental charge. It covers crowns, bridges, dentures, inlays, and other laboratory-made restorations. Multiple Band 3 items in the same course of treatment are still one £332.10 charge.
The same charge also covers any Band 1 and Band 2 work done in the same course, including the check-up that identified the need for the crown.
NHS vs private crown cost by type
| Crown type | NHS availability | NHS cost | Private cost (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) | Standard NHS option, front or back teeth | £332.10 (Band 3) | £500-900 |
| Full-ceramic / porcelain (front teeth) | NHS option for front teeth | £332.10 (Band 3) | £700-1,200 |
| All-zirconia (back teeth, premium) | Private only typically | Not generally NHS | £800-1,500 |
| Gold or precious metal | Limited NHS availability | £332.10 if approved | £600-1,200 |
| Same-day CEREC ceramic | Private only | Not NHS | £900-1,500 |
| Bridge, 3-unit (one pontic, two abutments) | NHS option, PFM typical | £332.10 (Band 3) | £900-2,500 |
| Resin-retained (Maryland) bridge | NHS option for front teeth | £332.10 (Band 3) | £500-1,200 |
Private ranges sourced from Which? UK and Bupa Dental Care published price tiers. London is typically 30-50% higher.
NHS crown material rules by tooth position
Front teeth (incisors, canines)
Porcelain-fused-to-metal or full-ceramic is standard NHS. Aesthetic considerations apply.
NHS cost: £332.10 Band 3, no upgrade
Back teeth (premolars, molars)
PFM or metal is NHS standard. Premium all-ceramic / zirconia for cosmetic reasons typically charged privately as a material upgrade.
NHS cost: £332.10 + private upgrade £150-500 if requested
Always ask the dentist before treatment begins: what crown material is the NHS providing, and what would I pay if I wanted a premium upgrade. Get the answer in writing in your treatment plan.
Multiple Band 3 items in one course
A single Band 3 charge of £332.10 covers any number of crowns, bridges, and dentures in the same course of treatment. This is the rule that often saves patients meaningful money compared with private.
| Same-course scenario | NHS cost | Equivalent private cost |
|---|---|---|
| One crown | £332.10 | £500-1,200 |
| Two crowns same course | £332.10 | £1,000-2,400 |
| Crown plus 3-unit bridge | £332.10 | £1,400-3,700 |
| Crown plus root canal same course | £332.10 | £800-2,200 |
| Bridge plus partial denture | £332.10 | £1,400-5,000 |
If your treatment plan involves multiple Band 3 items, ask whether they can be planned in the same course rather than as separate courses. The single Band 3 charge versus multiple Band 3 charges difference can be hundreds of pounds.
Free crowns and bridges: who qualifies
Crowns and bridges are free on the NHS for under-18s, under-19s in qualifying education, pregnant women and new mothers (Maternity Exemption Certificate), and people on Income Support, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, qualifying Universal Credit, or holding an HC2 certificate. The £332.10 charge does not apply. See the full free treatment guide.