Both restore damaged teeth — but crowns and fillings are designed for very different levels of damage. A filling repairs a small to medium cavity. A crown encases and reinforces a tooth that is too weak for a filling alone. The right option depends on the condition of your tooth.
If your dentist has recommended a dental crown or a white filling, you may be wondering which is right for your situation. Both are restorative treatments that repair damaged teeth — but they are designed for very different levels of damage.
A filling repairs a small to medium cavity, chip or crack by bonding composite resin directly into the damaged area — preserving as much healthy tooth as possible. A crown encases the entire visible tooth, restoring its full strength when the damage is too extensive for a filling to hold. Understanding the distinction helps you arrive at your consultation well informed.
The right treatment always depends on a clinical assessment. Your dentist will examine the tooth, take X-rays if needed and recommend the most appropriate option. A new patient examination is just £30 — book online or call us on 020 7183 0527.
At a Glance
Dental crowns vs fillings — side by side.
| Feature | Dental Crown · From £995 | White Filling · From £185 |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Full tooth — encases the entire visible structure (360°) | Partial — fills the cavity or damaged area only |
| Procedure Type | Restorative — restores strength, shape and function | Restorative — repairs decay, chips or fractures |
| Treatment Time | 2 appointments over 1–2 weeks (45–60 min each) | 1 appointment — typically 30–45 minutes |
| Structural Support | Full structural reinforcement — protects against fracture | Moderate — bonds to tooth but does not encase it |
| Aesthetics | Excellent — all-ceramic, shade-matched, virtually invisible | Very good — shade-matched composite, blends naturally |
| Cost at Our Clinic | From £995 (Zirconia or E.max) | From £185 (small), £245 (medium), £325 (large) |
| Longevity | 15–25+ years with good care | 7–15 years depending on size and location |
| Suitability | Heavily damaged, broken, root canal-treated or weakened teeth | Small to medium cavities, chips, cracks, worn teeth |
Treatment recommendations depend on individual clinical assessment. All prices confirmed before treatment begins.
Full-Coverage Restoration
A dental crown — sometimes called a cap — is a custom-made restoration that covers the entire visible part of a tooth above the gum line. It restores the tooth's original shape, size, strength and appearance. At Dental Clinic London, all our crowns are 100% metal-free, crafted from advanced dental ceramics.
We offer three types: zirconia crowns (from £995) — the strongest option, ideal for back teeth and patients who grind; porcelain (E.max) crowns (from £995) — offering the most natural translucency, ideal for front teeth; and layered porcelain (PFZ) crowns (from £1,195) — combining zirconia strength with hand-layered ceramist artistry for the premium result.
Crowns typically require 2 appointments over 1–2 weeks. At the first, the tooth is prepared and a temporary crown fitted. At the second, the permanent crown is cemented. With good care, crowns last 15–25+ years.
Conservative Repair
A dental filling is a restorative treatment that repairs a tooth damaged by decay, a chip, a crack or wear. Your dentist removes the damaged portion, cleans the cavity and fills it with tooth-coloured composite resin — a BPA-free, mercury-free material that bonds directly to the natural tooth structure.
Because composite bonds adhesively, less healthy tooth needs to be removed compared to traditional amalgam fillings or a crown. This makes fillings the most conservative restorative option. Treatment is completed in a single 30–45 minute appointment with immediate results.
At Dental Clinic London, composite fillings cost from £185 (small / 1 surface), £245 (medium / 2 surfaces) and £325 (large / 3+ surfaces). Amalgam replacement fillings also start from £185. With good oral hygiene, white fillings typically last 7–15 years.
Understanding the Difference
This is the most fundamental difference. A crown covers the entire visible tooth — 360° — encasing and reinforcing it like a protective shell. A filling only replaces the specific area of damage (the cavity), leaving the rest of the tooth exposed. For a tooth that is structurally weakened, a crown prevents fracture. For a tooth with a small cavity but plenty of healthy structure remaining, a filling is the more conservative and appropriate option.
A crown requires 1.5–2 mm of tooth structure to be removed all the way around the tooth to create space for the restoration. This is done under local anaesthetic. A filling requires only the removal of the decayed or damaged portion — preserving significantly more natural tooth. For this reason, your dentist will always recommend the most conservative option that will reliably restore the tooth. A filling is preferred whenever the tooth can support one.
Dental crowns are one of the most durable restorations in dentistry — typically lasting 15–25+ years. We have patients whose crowns have lasted over 20 years. Composite fillings last 7–15 years depending on size, location and oral hygiene. For very large cavities where a filling may not last, an inlay, onlay or crown provides a longer-lasting solution.
Fillings are significantly more affordable — from £185 for a small composite filling at Dental Clinic London. Crowns start from £995 (zirconia or E.max) and £1,195 for layered porcelain (PFZ). The cost difference reflects the materials, laboratory craftsmanship and level of protection provided. 0% finance is available on selected treatments, subject to status.
For small to medium cavities, chips and cracks, a filling is the standard treatment. For teeth with extensive damage — large cavities, fractures, failed large fillings, or teeth weakened by root canal treatment — a crown is the appropriate restoration. Your dentist will assess the extent of the damage and recommend the treatment that gives the tooth the best long-term outcome.
Weighing Up
Advantages
Limitations
Advantages
Limitations
Transparent Pricing
Prices at Dental Clinic London. View our complete fee guide for all treatment pricing.
| Treatment | Price | Visits |
|---|---|---|
| New Patient ExaminationFull examination, X-rays & treatment plan | £30 | 1 |
| Small Composite Filling (1 surface)Single-surface restoration — decay or chip repair | From £185 | 1 |
| Medium Composite Filling (2 surfaces)Two-surface restoration | From £245 | 1 |
| Large Composite Filling (3+ surfaces)Extensive multi-surface restoration | From £325 | 1 |
| Inlay or Onlay (Porcelain)Lab-made restoration — bridges gap between filling and crown | From £995 | 2 |
| Zirconia / E.max CrownFull-coverage all-ceramic crown — strongest or most natural | From £995 | 2 |
| Layered Porcelain Crown (PFZ)Zirconia core + hand-layered porcelain — premium result | From £1,195 | 2 |
All costs confirmed before treatment begins. 0% finance available on selected treatments, subject to status.
Making Your Decision
The right choice depends on how much damage the tooth has sustained. Here is a general guide — your dentist will confirm the best approach following examination.
For small to medium cavities, chips, cracks and worn surfaces, a composite filling is the standard and most appropriate treatment. It preserves the maximum amount of healthy tooth structure, is completed in a single visit and costs significantly less than a crown. Most routine dental repairs fall into this category.
If the tooth has lost a significant amount of structure — from a large cavity, a fracture, a failed existing filling or root canal treatment — a crown is the appropriate restoration. It encases and reinforces the entire tooth, preventing fracture and restoring full chewing function. A tooth that needs a crown but does not receive one is at high risk of splitting, potentially requiring extraction and an implant (from £2,950).
Dental crowns are one of the most durable restorations available — typically lasting 15–25+ years. Composite fillings last 7–15 years. For teeth under heavy biting forces (back molars) or teeth that have been weakened by root canal treatment, a crown provides the strongest, longest-lasting solution. For moderate damage that is too large for a filling but does not require a full crown, an inlay or onlay (from £995) is an excellent middle ground.
Fillings are significantly more affordable — from £185 compared to £995 for a crown. However, the two treatments address different levels of damage, so cost alone should not determine the choice. A filling on a tooth that actually needs a crown may fail repeatedly, costing more in the long term. Your dentist will always recommend the most conservative option that will reliably restore the tooth.
In some cases, a tooth may also benefit from root canal treatment before a crown is placed, or a dental implant if the tooth cannot be saved. Both form part of our comprehensive general dentistry services.
Common Questions
Have another question? Contact our team and we will be happy to help.
Book a new patient examination (just £30) at Dental Clinic London. Your private dentist will examine your teeth, take any necessary X-rays and recommend the most appropriate treatment — whether that is a filling, a crown or something else entirely. No obligation, no pressure.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute personalised dental advice. Individual diagnosis and treatment recommendations require a clinical examination by a qualified dental professional. All treatment outcomes vary by patient. Prices shown are starting prices and may vary depending on complexity. Dental Clinic London is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the General Dental Council (GDC).