Silver NHS crown or Private porcelain crown for a back molar? Are there any dentists on here who can tell me if it’s worth going for the more expensive option, are white crowns stronger for example?

[FourthToeOnTheRight]

Need to make a decision on whether to pay £300 for a silver NHS crown or £800 ish for a private crown.

I can’t really afford the £800 right now but could possibly by the end of Feb.

Would I really be worth it though? The location is on the bottom left hand side, as per image attached! 😆

I do have a wide smile and you would be able to see the glint of silver most probably but on the flip side, how strong are the private crowns?

Don’t really know what my AIBU is really, posted here for traffic so no poll.

My dentist assured me that a silver crown wouldn't be visible and I stupidly believed her. It is visible every time I smile and is in every photo. So worth checking your smile to be sure if it would bother you. Kids call me a pirate!

Thanks for replying @Timefortea4 - bloody kids! 😆🤣

I think a silver crown would be noticeable, not so much when I’m talking but smiling, laughing, as I have a wide mouth 🐸 it’s so expensive though and for that expense I suppose I’d like to know if it’s really worth it regarding longevity, especially on a big molar.

*so expensive for the white crown

I had a crown fitted on the same tooth as you. I have a severe metal allergy and so was concerned about a possible reaction to a big lump of metal in my mouth, which my dentist at the time agreed with, and so opted for a white crown. I was also a bit concerned that a metal crown would be visible when I laughed or smiled. I was told that white crowns didn't last as long as metal ones, but over 20 years later it's still fine. I really struggled to afford it at the time but I've always been very glad that I found the money.

I have both . My gold crown in the same place that was done 20 years ago is going strong with no issues but it is visible when I smile and I don’t have a wide smile.
I have had issues with a porcelaine crown - came out and after being replaced it doesn’t fit quite as well as there is a small chip along the gum line. Looks much better though.

On balance I’d go for a white one.

The only benefit is cosmetic. So it depends whether you think the appearance of it is important enough. I have plenty of patients who aren’t bothered by the appearance. Metal crowns require less drilling than (most) white crowns and last longer on back teeth. You could go for a metal and white crown which has the benefit of looking ok but requires a lot more drilling. Or an all white crown which requires a little more drilling but not usually as strong on back teeth and need more frequent replacement and most expensive. If it were me, I would go for the all white but then I’m bothered by the appearance and not scared of having more treatment in the future.

It’s good to know that it’s still in place 20 years later! Well worth the initial outlay.

That’s my worry, £800 is a lot, but I could save for it. I’d be gutted if it didn’t stand the test of time though!

My white crown had had to be replaced 3 times, at my expense as it kept coming loose. Now I have had a temporary filling in it for over a year as I can't afford to have another one fitted.

Well I’m a professional photographer and I’ve literally never noticed fillings or silver crowns unless someone throws thier heads right back in laughter.

i don’t think they are as noticeable as you think.

I have a silver crown on that same tooth and for me it’s not noticeable. Maybe I don’t open my mouth very wide but it’s certainly not in photos, etc. my dentist also told me that the silver ones are stronger than the more expensive white ones.

I did have a silver filling replaced with a white filling on said tooth, a number of years ago now but have had nothing but trouble with it, that is because the filling is substantial so easily seen, therefore I know I’d most likely regret a silver crown but I’d regret spending £800 even more and have more issues.

I’ve been quoted for a Zirconium crown, the £800 includes core build up and prep, does this sound an average price for this type of crown?

I must do this a lot then 🤣😆

I suppose we focus on the things we don’t like about our appearance when others wouldn’t even notice.

My dentist did state that any issues with the white crown (depending on what that issue was, nothing in writing) would be covered for up to 3 years, 1 year for metal.

I'm a dentist and would have neither of your two options. I'd definitely have a gold crown-strongest material, imo aesthetically pleasing too.

I’m pretty sure a gold crown would be out of my price range but out of curiosity how much are they?

Link to some research info on amalgam fillings:
https://www.melisa.org/metal-sensitivity/articles

Ban: https://dsv-europa.de/en/news/2023/08/dentalamalgam.html#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20adopted%20by,and%20pregnant%20and%20breastfeeding%20patients.

The information about the health risks associated with amalgam fillings has been around for a long time - much disputed by the dental industry, but they have been banned in a number of countries for some time.

Any evidence declaring that mercury is safe is not sufficiently compelling in my opinion.

I decided to get a white crown on a molar. Worst thing ever for me. Couldn't bit on it(like amalgam) to make it comfy for my bite. My jaw was agony and teeth were all moving to accommodate a new bite. I ended up with jaw displasia. Agony.

Sorry to gatecrash your post OP but I had the same tooth as yours extracted a few years ago and still have a gap. I wasn’t too bothered about it until recently when I read that it could cause problems in future so am now wondering if I ought to get an implant but they cost soo much!

@bsfgham - any advice?

I had a metal crown with a white coating…. It was £400 and looks like a normal tooth!

I grind my teeth. I was told a porcelain crown is more flexible than a filling or metal crown. So less likely to need replacing.

No problem at all!

Extraction of the tooth was my other option but if I can sort it with a crown with no more issues, I’ll he happy.

Dentist quoted around £3K for an implant! 😫

*be happy - haven’t got my glasses on!

I have a white crown there and DP has a gold one. His is so noticeable, in fact it was one of the first things I noticed about him when we met. Mine I forget is actually a crown as it looks identical to my actual teeth. The extra money is so worth it IMO.

Sounds awful! 😞 did you have to have the tooth removed in the end?