South Kensington
- 20 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3DL
- Open seven days a week
- 020 7183 2362
Treatment comparison · Wimpole Street, Marylebone
Crown or filling? How much tooth is left decides it
Almost every adult has had a filling; far fewer have had a crown, and the two are sometimes assumed to be a matter of budget. In practice the deciding factor is how much healthy tooth remains once decay or damage has been dealt with. A filling patches a hole in an otherwise strong tooth. A crown replaces the outer shell of a tooth that no longer has enough of its own structure to survive chewing.
Decision guide
Which is right for you?
Choose Fillings if…
- The cavity or chip is small to moderate and the surrounding tooth is sound.
- You want a single-visit repair at the lowest cost.
- The tooth has not had root canal treatment and shows no cracks.
- You would prefer to keep as much natural tooth as possible for now.
Choose Dental crowns if…
- The tooth has a crack, or a cusp has broken off.
- An existing filling occupies more than about half the tooth or keeps failing.
- The tooth has been root-treated and is now more brittle.
- The tooth is worn down or you grind heavily and need the whole surface protected.
At a glance
Side by side
| Feature | Fillings | Dental crowns |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Fill a cavity or repair a minor break | Rebuild and reinforce a badly weakened tooth |
| Coverage | The cavity only | All surfaces of the tooth above the gum |
| Strength | Moderate; relies on the surrounding tooth | High; holds the tooth together from the outside |
| Expected lifespan | Around 5 to 15 years, longer for small fillings | Around 10 to 25 years or more |
| Appearance | White composite blends with the tooth | Ceramic matched to your shade |
| Time needed | One visit, 30 to 45 minutes | Two visits, one to two weeks apart |
| Fee per tooth | From £185 | From £995 |
| Tooth preparation | Only the decayed or damaged part is removed | Tooth reshaped all round to accept the crown |
| Best suited to | Small cavities and minor chips | Cracked, heavily filled or root-treated teeth |
In the chair
What the treatment involves
Fillings
The area is numbed and the decay or damaged tissue removed with a small drill, leaving clean, healthy walls. The cavity is etched and bonded so the composite adheres, then resin is placed in layers and cured. The dentist shapes the filling to reproduce the tooth’s cusps and grooves, checks the bite, and polishes it. You can eat normally once the numbness wears off.
Dental crowns
The first appointment involves numbing the tooth, removing any decay or old filling, and reducing the tooth on every side by a millimetre or two so the crown will have room. If a lot of tooth is missing, a core of filling material is built up first. A scan or impression is taken and a temporary crown fitted. The laboratory makes the permanent crown in ceramic, zirconia or metal-ceramic, and at the second visit it is tried in, adjusted and cemented.
Fees
Cost and longevity at Wimpole Street
A white filling at Wimpole Street will start from £185 and a crown from £995. The gap is large, and it reflects the laboratory work, the second visit and the materials involved in a crown rather than any preference on our part; we place a filling whenever a filling will do.
The economics shift when a filling is being asked to do a crown’s job. A very large filling in a weakened tooth often fails within a few years and can take part of the tooth with it, leading to a crown anyway or, in the worst case, extraction and an implant. Fitting the right restoration first time is usually the cheaper path overall.
All prices are indicative and are confirmed in a written treatment plan at your consultation. Fees are the same at every Medical & Dental clinic.
Weighing it up
Strengths and trade-offs
Fillings
Strengths
- Preserves the maximum amount of natural tooth
- Done in one visit with no laboratory stage
- Much lower fee
- Straightforward to repair or replace
Trade-offs
- Adds no strength; a large filling can leave the tooth prone to cracking
- Lifespan shortens as the filling gets bigger
- Not appropriate for cracked or root-treated teeth
- Composite can wear on heavy chewing surfaces
Dental crowns
Strengths
- Binds a fragile tooth together and prevents fracture
- Restores full chewing function
- Ceramic holds its colour and shine for many years
- Frequently lasts well beyond a decade
- Recommended protection after root canal treatment
Trade-offs
- Healthy tooth is removed during preparation and cannot be replaced
- Two appointments plus a temporary phase
- Higher upfront fee
- Occasional sensitivity or need for re-cementing over time
FAQ
Common questions
The size of the cavity relative to the tooth, whether any cusps are undermined, signs of cracks, previous root treatment, and how hard you bite. A tooth with thin remaining walls is at risk of splitting, and that risk is what pushes the decision towards a crown.
It can be placed, but the dentist will usually warn that its lifespan is likely to be short and that a fracture could leave the tooth unrestorable. If cost is the concern, a temporary large filling followed by a crown when finances allow is a reasonable interim plan.
For back teeth, almost always: root treatment removes the internal tissue and the tooth becomes more brittle, and studies show crowned root-treated molars survive far longer. Front teeth with minimal damage can sometimes be filled instead.
Once fitted and adjusted, a crown should feel like a normal tooth. Some patients notice mild sensitivity to cold for a few weeks, which usually settles.
A superficial craze line, yes. A true crack that runs into the body of the tooth cannot be sealed by a filling, and chewing on it will tend to open the crack further. A crown holds the two sides together.
Book at our South Kensington or St Paul’s clinic, where the same dentists can start treatment straight away. The crown can be fitted there or, if timing suits, completed at Wimpole Street after 1 October 2026.
Marylebone, W1
Wimpole Street opens 1 October 2026
Register your interest and we will contact you when the Marylebone diary opens. If you would rather not wait, the same clinicians can see you at South Kensington or St Paul's now.
Related treatments at Wimpole Street
Opening 1 October 2026
Wimpole Street is not yet seeing patients. Until then, please book or call our South Kensington clinic on 020 7183 2362 or our St Paul's clinic on 020 7183 3709. Questions about the new clinic: wimpolestreet@md.co.uk.
Until we open
Need an appointment before 1 October 2026?
The same clinical team already works from two other Medical & Dental clinics. Book at either one now and, if you prefer, move your ongoing care to Wimpole Street once the doors open.
St Paul's, City of London
- 5 Ave Maria Lane, London EC4M 7AQ
- Open Monday to Friday
- 020 7183 3709
