Meet Our Dental Team
Our experienced dental team is fully qualified and registered with the GDC, delivering safe, high-quality care in line with the highest professional standards.
Because our patients deserve nothing less.
When a tooth is damaged by decay, a crack, or wear, two of the most common treatments are dental fillings and dental crowns. Both restore the tooth — but the right choice depends on how much damage has occurred and how much natural tooth structure remains.
Fillings are typically used for smaller cavities and minor repairs, while crowns provide full coverage and structural reinforcement for teeth that are more severely compromised. Understanding the differences can help you feel confident about the treatment your dentist recommends.
This guide compares both options clearly. The most appropriate treatment will always depend on a clinical assessment by your dentist.
| Feature | Dental Fillings | Dental Crowns |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Repair minor decay or damage | Restore heavily damaged or weakened teeth |
| Coverage of Tooth | Partial — fills the cavity only | Full — covers the entire tooth |
| Strength | Moderate — suited to small repairs | High — reinforces the whole tooth |
| Durability | 5–15 years depending on size | 10–25+ years depending on material |
| Aesthetic Result | Natural (white composite) | Natural, custom shade-matched |
| Treatment Time | Single appointment (30–45 min) | 2 appointments over 1–2 weeks |
| Cost (Per Tooth) | From £92.50 (member) / £185 | From £497.50 (member) / £995 |
| Longevity | 5–15 years with care | 10–25+ years with care |
| Tooth Preparation | Minimal — decay removed only | Moderate — tooth reshaped to fit crown |
| Best Suited For | Small cavities, minor chips | Cracked, weakened, or heavily filled teeth |
Purpose
Filling
Repair minor decay or damage
Crown
Restore heavily damaged or weakened teeth
Coverage of Tooth
Filling
Partial — fills the cavity only
Crown
Full — covers the entire tooth
Strength
Filling
Moderate — suited to small repairs
Crown
High — reinforces the whole tooth
Durability
Filling
5–15 years depending on size
Crown
10–25+ years depending on material
Aesthetic Result
Filling
Natural (white composite)
Crown
Natural, custom shade-matched
Treatment Time
Filling
Single appointment (30–45 min)
Crown
2 appointments over 1–2 weeks
Cost (Per Tooth)
Filling
From £92.50 (member) / £185
Crown
From £497.50 (member) / £995
Longevity
Filling
5–15 years with care
Crown
10–25+ years with care
Tooth Preparation
Filling
Minimal — decay removed only
Crown
Moderate — tooth reshaped to fit crown
Best Suited For
Filling
Small cavities, minor chips
Crown
Cracked, weakened, or heavily filled teeth
A dental filling is a restorative material used to repair a tooth that has been damaged by decay or minor trauma. The decayed portion of the tooth is carefully removed, and the resulting space is filled with a durable material to restore the tooth's shape and function.
Modern white fillings for repairing cavities and minor tooth damage use a composite resin that is colour-matched to your natural teeth, providing a discreet result. The treatment is typically completed in a single visit of 30–45 minutes and is one of the most common dental procedures.
Fillings are appropriate for patients with small to moderate cavities, minor chips, or early-stage tooth decay where the remaining tooth structure is still strong enough to support the restoration without additional reinforcement.
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that fits over the entire visible portion of a damaged or weakened tooth. It restores the tooth's shape, size, strength, and appearance while providing long-term structural protection.
Our clinic offers dental crowns for restoring damaged or weakened teeth in porcelain, zirconia, and metal-ceramic materials. The treatment typically requires two appointments — one for preparation and impressions, and a second to fit the custom-made crown.
Crowns are recommended for patients with teeth that are cracked, fractured, heavily filled, or have undergone root canal treatment. They are also used when a tooth has lost too much structure for a filling to provide adequate support.
A filling restores only the damaged portion of a tooth, preserving more natural structure. A crown covers the entire visible tooth, providing complete protection and reinforcement for weakened teeth.
Crowns are significantly stronger, encasing the entire tooth and distributing biting forces evenly. Fillings are durable for smaller repairs but can weaken a tooth if the cavity was large.
Fillings require only the removal of decayed material. Crowns require the tooth to be reshaped so the crown can fit over it — this involves removing more natural structure.
Crowns typically last 10–25 years depending on the material. Fillings usually last 5–15 years. Both depend on oral hygiene, location in the mouth, and biting habits.
Both white fillings and porcelain or zirconia crowns provide natural-looking results. Crowns offer a more uniform appearance as they cover the entire tooth surface.
Fillings are completed in a single 30–45 minute visit. Crowns typically require two appointments over one to two weeks, as they are custom-fabricated in a dental laboratory.
Fillings start from £92.50 per tooth for members (£185 non-members). Dental crowns — including porcelain, zirconia and metal-ceramic options — start from £497.50 for members (£995 standard). Crowns cost more but offer greater structural value for compromised teeth.
Costs depend on the extent of damage, materials used, and the complexity of treatment. Below are our current prices for fillings and crowns.
| Treatment | Member Price | Non-Member Price | Typical Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Filling (Small) | From £92.50 | From £185 | 5–10 years |
| White Filling (Medium) | From £130 | From £260 | 7–12 years |
| White Filling (Large) | From £152.50 | From £305 | 5–15 years |
| Porcelain Crown | From £497.50 | From £995 | 10–15 years |
| Zirconia Crown | From £497.50 | From £995 | 15–25+ years |
| Metal-Ceramic Crown (PFM) | From £497.50 | From £995 | 15–20 years |
White Filling (Small)
Member
From £92.50
Standard
From £185
Lifespan
5–10 years
White Filling (Medium)
Member
From £130
Standard
From £260
Lifespan
7–12 years
White Filling (Large)
Member
From £152.50
Standard
From £305
Lifespan
5–15 years
Porcelain Crown
Member
From £497.50
Standard
From £995
Lifespan
10–15 years
Zirconia Crown
Member
From £497.50
Standard
From £995
Lifespan
15–25+ years
Metal-Ceramic Crown
Member
From £497.50
Standard
From £995
Lifespan
15–20 years
For a detailed breakdown of crown pricing, see our dental crown cost in London guide. Membership halves the cost of most treatments. Final costs are confirmed after a clinical assessment.
If you have a small to moderate cavity with plenty of healthy tooth remaining, a white filling is the simplest and most conservative option.
Dental FillingIf your tooth is cracked, fractured, or has a very large cavity, a crown provides the full coverage and structural support needed to protect it long-term.
Dental CrownIf your priority is keeping as much of your natural tooth as possible, a filling removes only the decayed material and leaves the rest intact.
Dental FillingIf you need a restoration that will last 15–25+ years and withstand heavy biting forces, a zirconia or porcelain crown offers the greatest longevity.
Dental CrownThe best way to find out which treatment is right for your tooth is with a personalised assessment. Our dental team will examine the damage, discuss your options, and recommend the most appropriate restoration. You can book a consultation with a dentist in London at a time that suits you.
This page 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 depend on individual clinical factors and cannot be guaranteed. The suitability of dental crowns or fillings is determined during a clinical assessment. South Kensington Medical & Dental is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and all practitioners are registered with the General Dental Council (GDC).
Our experienced dental team is fully qualified and registered with the GDC, delivering safe, high-quality care in line with the highest professional standards.
Because our patients deserve nothing less.
At South Kensington Medical & Dental, we are fully registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and our clinicians are registered with the relevant UK regulatory bodies, including the GDC and GMC. Our dentists, dental nurses and medical professionals deliver care that meets the highest clinical, safety and ethical standards, because our patients deserve nothing less.
