White Crowns in Redditch: Emax, Zirconia & PFM Compared
If you’ve been told you need a crown and you’re not sure which type is right for you, you’re not alone. Emax, Zirconia and PFM (Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal) crowns are the three options patients ask us about most, and each one solves a slightly different problem. This page breaks down what a white crown actually is, how Emax and Zirconia crowns compare, what they cost, and when the NHS might cover part of the treatment, so you can walk into your consultation already knowing your options.
What Is a White Crown?
A white crown (sometimes called a white tooth cap) is a custom-made cover that fits over a damaged, decayed or heavily filled tooth, restoring its shape, strength and colour to match your natural teeth. Unlike older-style metal crowns, a white crown for tooth restoration is designed to be invisible in your smile - it’s tooth-coloured all the way through or on the visible surface, depending on the material.
Crowns are typically recommended when a tooth has broken or has a large, old filling that’s no longer supporting enough natural structure; has had root canal treatment and needs protecting from fracture; is heavily worn, cracked, or cosmetically uneven; or needs full coverage after a large area of decay is removed.
At Kingfisher Dental, we offer three types of white dental crowns - Emax, Zirconia and PFM - and we’ll recommend the right one for your specific tooth, bite and budget during your consultation.
Emax vs Zirconia Crowns: What’s the Difference?
This is the question we get asked more than any other, so let’s answer it properly. Emax and Zirconia are both metal-free, tooth-coloured crown materials, but they’re built for different priorities: Emax for aesthetics, Zirconia for raw strength.
Emax crowns are made from lithium disilicate, a glass-ceramic material that’s highly translucent, so it mimics the way light passes through real enamel. This makes Emax the material most dentists reach for on front teeth, where appearance matters most. It’s strong, metal-free, and typically lasts 10 to 15 years, with prices at Kingfisher Dental starting from £540.
Zirconia crowns are made from zirconium dioxide, one of the strongest materials used in modern dentistry. They’re slightly more opaque than Emax but still tooth-coloured, and they hold up exceptionally well under the heavy bite forces that back teeth deal with every day. Zirconia is also a good option if you have metal sensitivities, and with proper care it often lasts 15 years or more. At Kingfisher Dental, Zirconia crowns start from £600.
PFM crowns sit slightly apart from the other two, since they combine a metal base with a porcelain outer layer rather than being fully metal-free. They’re very strong thanks to that metal core, and generally the most budget-friendly of the three options, but over many years the metal edge can become faintly visible at the gum line as gums naturally recede. PFM crowns at Kingfisher Dental start from £600.
In short: if the crown is going on a tooth people can see when you smile or laugh, Emax’s translucency usually wins. If it’s a molar taking the full force of chewing, Zirconia’s strength is usually the better call, and PFM remains a solid, cost-effective option for less visible teeth. Many patients with crowns across several teeth actually have a mix of Emax at the front and Zirconia further back; we’ll talk you through what makes sense for your mouth specifically.
Emax Crowns: Benefits, Cost & Best Uses
Emax crowns are made from lithium disilicate, a glass-ceramic material prized for how closely it mimics real enamel. Light passes through an Emax crown almost the way it does through a natural tooth, which is why it’s the material most cosmetic dentists reach for on front teeth.
The benefits are hard to beat for visible teeth: a highly translucent, natural-looking finish that’s hard to spot next to your own teeth; enough strength for both front and back teeth in most cases; a metal-free, biocompatible structure with no dark line at the gum over time; and a precise, comfortable milled fit.
Emax crown cost at Kingfisher Dental starts from £540, with the final price depending on the number of crowns needed and any preparatory work.
Zirconia Crowns: Strength, Durability & Cost
Zirconia crowns are made from zirconium dioxide, one of the strongest materials used in modern dentistry, which is why they’re often the first choice for molars and premolars that do the heavy lifting when you chew.
They offer exceptional strength and resistance to chipping or cracking; they’re biocompatible (a good option if you have metal sensitivities), they can still be shaded to blend with your surrounding teeth, and they offer long-term durability, often 15 years or more with proper care.
Zirconia crown cost at Kingfisher Dental starts from £600. If you’ve seen zirconia crown costs quoted elsewhere anywhere from £500 to £1,000+, that range usually reflects lab fees, whether it’s a full-contour or layered Zirconia crown, and how many crowns are being fitted at once - we’ll give you an exact, itemised price at your consultation.
PFM (Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal) Crowns: Still a Good Option?
PFM crowns combine a metal substructure with a porcelain outer layer, giving you the strength of metal with a tooth-coloured surface. They’ve been a reliable, budget-friendly option in dentistry for decades, and for many patients they’re still a perfectly sound choice.
The benefits include excellent strength and stability from the metal core, a natural-looking porcelain surface, generally the most cost-effective of the three white crown options, and good suitability for back teeth where appearance matters less than durability.
The main trade-off versus Emax or Zirconia is aesthetic: over many years, the metal edge at the gum line can become slightly visible as gums naturally recede. For a back tooth, this is rarely noticeable; for a front tooth, most patients prefer Emax. PFM crown cost at Kingfisher Dental starts from £600.
How Much Does a White Crown Cost in the UK?
White crown pricing varies by material, the number of teeth involved, and whether any additional treatment (like a root canal or a filling) is needed first. As a guide, private white crowns in the UK typically range from around £500 to over £1,000 per tooth. At Kingfisher Dental, Emax crowns start from £540, Zirconia crowns start from £600, and PFM crowns start from £600.
Every treatment plan starts with a full consultation, so you’ll always have a clear, written cost breakdown before any work begins - no surprises.
Are White Crowns Available on the NHS?
Crowns fall under NHS Band 3, which covers more complex treatments including crowns, dentures and bridges, alongside everything in Bands 1 and 2. This means a crown can be available on the NHS when it’s clinically necessary.
What the NHS doesn’t guarantee is your choice of material. The type of crown provided on the NHS is decided by clinical need and, often, by tooth position, and may not always be an all-ceramic Emax or Zirconia crown, particularly on back teeth. If having a specific white crown material is important to you, for cosmetic reasons, metal sensitivity, or otherwise, private treatment gives you full control over which material is used. We’re happy to talk through both routes at your consultation so you can decide what’s right for you.
How Long Do White Dental Crowns Last?
With good care, most white crowns last 10 to 15 years, and Zirconia crowns in particular often go well beyond that. Lifespan depends on how well you maintain your oral hygiene routine, regular check-ups so any early issues are caught before they become bigger problems, whether you grind or clench your teeth (a night guard can significantly extend crown lifespan), and the material chosen and its position in your mouth.
What to Expect: The White Crown Procedure
Getting a white crown at Kingfisher Dental usually takes place over two appointments. First comes your consultation and assessment, where we examine the tooth, discuss your goals, and recommend Emax, Zirconia or PFM based on the tooth’s position and condition. Next, the tooth is gently prepared, with a small amount of the outer surface reshaped to make room for the crown. Precise digital or physical impressions then capture your bite and tooth shape, and a temporary crown is fitted to protect the prepared tooth while your permanent one is made. Your custom crown is then designed and milled to match your natural tooth colour, before a final fitting checks it for fit and bite and permanently cements it in place. Finally, we’ll talk you through cleaning and aftercare so your crown lasts as long as possible.
Ready to Talk Through Your Options?
Whether you already know you want an Emax crown for a front tooth or you’re still weighing up Zirconia versus PFM, our team at Kingfisher Dental can talk you through the right choice for your smile, your budget and your bite. Book a consultation, and we’ll give you a clear recommendation and an itemised price, no guesswork, no pressure.
Book your consultation or call us on 01527 550995.
.avif)
