Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia Crowns in Turkey — Restore Your Teeth Fully, From £150 Per Crown
Metal-free. Natural-looking. Built to last decades. Completed in 5–7 days at up to 72% less than UK prices.
A cracked tooth. A heavily filled molar. A discoloured root canal tooth. A tooth your UK dentist has told you needs a crown — at a price that made you pause.
A zirconia crown is the most durable, most natural-looking full-tooth restoration available today. In the UK, a single crown costs between £800 and £1,200. In Turkey, the same crown — the same zirconia ceramic, the same precision fit, the same internationally trained dentist — starts from £150.
This page explains exactly what zirconia crowns are, which teeth need them, how the treatment works across your days in Turkey, and what everything costs. Nothing held back.
What Is a Zirconia Crown?
A full-coverage restoration that protects and rebuilds a damaged tooth
A dental crown is a cap that fits over the entire visible portion of a tooth — from the gum line up. It restores the tooth’s shape, size, strength and appearance when the damage or structural compromise is too extensive for a filling or veneer to address.
A zirconia crown is made from zirconium dioxide — an advanced ceramic material that is simultaneously strong enough to withstand the forces of normal biting and chewing, and tooth-coloured enough to be indistinguishable from surrounding natural teeth.
Zirconia has replaced metal and porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns as the clinical standard for most crown cases. It does not corrode. It does not leave a dark grey line at the gum margin. It does not cause sensitivity to temperature changes the way metal does. And unlike PFM crowns, there is no risk of the porcelain chipping away to reveal metal underneath.
When is a crown needed — rather than a filling or veneer?
A crown is typically recommended when:
- A tooth is cracked or fractured — a filling cannot hold a cracked tooth together; a crown wraps around it and prevents the crack from spreading
- A tooth has a very large filling — when more than half the tooth structure has been replaced by filling material, the remaining tooth is fragile; a crown protects it
- A root canal has been performed — root-treated teeth lose moisture over time and become brittle; a crown protects against fracture
- A tooth is severely worn — from bruxism (grinding) or acid erosion — and needs its height and shape restored
- A tooth is badly discoloured and whitening or veneers are not appropriate — a crown provides full opaque coverage
- An implant has been placed — a crown is the visible tooth attached to the implant fixture
A veneer covers only the front surface. A crown covers the entire tooth. If your dentist has said you need a crown rather than a veneer, it is because the tooth’s structure or position makes partial coverage insufficient.
Why Get Your Crowns Done in Turkey?
The same zirconia. Precision-fitted. A fraction of the UK price.
The zirconia used for your crowns in Turkey is manufactured by the same global suppliers — Vita Zahnfabrik, Upcera, Katana — used by crown laboratories across the UK and Europe. The digital fabrication process is identical. The shade-matching process is identical. The clinical procedure is identical.
The difference is not material quality or clinical skill. It is the operating cost of a dental practice in Turkey versus the UK.
The numbers
| 🇬🇧 UK Average | Turkey Price | Saving | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zirconia crown (per tooth) | £800 – £1,200 | From £150 | Up to 72% |
| E.max crown (per tooth) | £900 – £1,300 | From £200 | Up to 70% |
| Porcelain-fused-to-metal crown | £600 – £900 | From £120 | Up to 65% |
| Full set — 6 zirconia crowns | £4,800 – £7,200 | From £900 | Up to 70% |
| Full set — 8 zirconia crowns | £6,400 – £9,600 | From £1200 | Up to 70% |
UK averages sourced from BDA / NHS data, 2025. Prices in Turkey are starting prices — your exact quote is confirmed after free assessment.
What’s included in your package
- ✓ Full clinical assessment and X-rays on arrival
- ✓ Tooth preparation under local anaesthesia
- ✓ Shade matching to surrounding natural teeth
- ✓ Temporary crowns during laboratory fabrication
- ✓ Final zirconia crowns — Vita or equivalent premium brand
- ✓ Fitting, occlusion check and final adjustments
- ✓ 5 nights in a centrally located 4-star hotel
- ✓ VIP airport transfers (arrival and departure)
- ✓ Dedicated patient coordinator throughout
- ✓ Full post-treatment documentation in English
- ✓ Written 3-year guarantee
How Your Crown Treatment Works — Day by Day
Zirconia crown treatment in Turkey is completed in 5–7 days, in a single visit.
Before You Travel — Assessment (Online)
You send a photo of the affected tooth or teeth — and any existing X-rays if you have them. Our coordinator shares these with the treating dentist, who assesses:
- Whether a crown is the correct treatment for each tooth (as opposed to a filling, veneer or extraction)
- Whether any preparatory treatment is needed — root canal, post and core buildup, gum treatment
- How many crowns are needed and the most appropriate material for each
- A full cost breakdown, tooth by tooth
Free. No commitment. Reply within 24 hours.
Day 1 — Arrival in Turkey
Your driver meets you at the airport. You’re transferred directly to your hotel. Your coordinator confirms your schedule for the following morning.
Day 2 — Clinical Assessment
Your first appointment is a full examination — not the preparation procedure.
- High-resolution X-rays of all teeth to be crowned
- Assessment of pulp health (to confirm whether a root canal is needed before crowning)
- Shade mapping against your surrounding natural teeth
- Bite and occlusion analysis
- Confirmation of the treatment plan with your dentist — tooth by tooth
- Any outstanding questions answered in person
If any unexpected findings emerge — a tooth requiring root canal treatment before crowning, for example — this is identified here, discussed openly, and your timeline and cost adjusted accordingly before anything proceeds.
Day 3 — Tooth Preparation & Temporaries
Preparation begins under local anaesthesia.
What preparation involves: The outer surface of each tooth is reduced uniformly — typically 1–1.5mm on all sides — to create the space required for the crown to sit flush with surrounding teeth. For badly damaged or decayed teeth, a buildup of composite material may first be needed to create a stable foundation for the crown.
Impressions: Digital impressions of the prepared teeth are taken and sent to the laboratory alongside your shade record. The lab fabricates your crowns to the exact specifications of your prepared teeth and the surrounding dentition.
Temporaries: High-quality provisional crowns are cemented over your prepared teeth while the permanent crowns are being made. They protect the prepared teeth, maintain your bite and give you a functional, presentable smile during the laboratory phase.
Temporary crowns are not your final result — but most patients find them perfectly comfortable and functional for the 2–3 days they are worn.
Day 4 — Rest Day
The laboratory requires 2–3 working days to fabricate your crowns. This day is yours — rest at the hotel or explore the city at your own pace. Your coordinator is available if you have any questions or discomfort. Mild sensitivity on prepared teeth is normal and expected. Avoid very hard or sticky foods with temporary crowns in place.
Day 5 — Crown Fitting
Your final zirconia crowns arrive from the laboratory. The fitting appointment involves:
- Removal of temporary crowns
- Trial placement of each permanent crown — fit, shade and bite alignment checked before cementation
- Any adjustments made chairside before bonding
- Permanent cementation using dental-grade adhesive
- Bite check — ensuring all crowns meet correctly under normal function
- Final polish
This appointment typically takes 1–2 hours depending on the number of crowns.
You leave with your permanent crowns fully in place.
Day 6 — Final Review & Departure Pack
A brief check appointment before you fly confirms your bite is comfortable, your crowns are fully settled and you are satisfied with the result. Any minor occlusal adjustments are made here if needed.
You receive:
- Full clinical notes and X-rays from all appointments (in English)
- Crown material brand and shade certificates
- Written 3-year guarantee document
- Aftercare guide — what to expect, what to avoid, and for how long
- Your dentist’s direct contact for any future queries
Zirconia Crown Pricing — Transparent and Itemised
Single Crown Pricing
| Crown Type | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Zirconia crown | From £150 per crown | All positions — strength and aesthetics balanced |
| E.max crown | From £200 per crown | Front teeth — maximum aesthetic result |
| High-translucency zirconia | From £190 per crown | Front teeth requiring both strength and aesthetics |
| Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) | From £120 per crown | Budget option — not recommended for front teeth |
Multiple Crown Pricing
| Number of Crowns | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| 2 crowns | From £300 |
| 4 crowns | From £600 |
| 6 crowns | From £900 |
| 8 crowns | From £1200 |
| 10+ crowns | Bespoke — see Smile Makeover |
All prices include hotel, transfers, coordinator, temporary crowns during treatment and written guarantee.
Optional Additions
| Addition | Price |
|---|---|
| Root canal treatment (if required before crowning) | From £120 per tooth |
| Post and core buildup (if required) | From £100 per tooth |
| Teeth whitening (for non-crowned teeth — shade matching) | From £220 |
| Night guard (for grinders) | From £100 |
A Note on Root Canal Before Crowning
If a tooth needs a root canal before a crown can be placed, this is identified at your Day 2 assessment — never mid-procedure. The additional cost is confirmed before any treatment begins. Root canal treatment in Turkey starts from £120 per tooth — significantly less than UK pricing. If this applies to your case, we will tell you clearly and adjust your schedule accordingly.
Which Crown Material Is Right For My Tooth?
| Tooth Position | Recommended Material | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Front teeth (incisors, canines) | E.max or high-translucency zirconia | Maximum light transmission — most natural appearance |
| Premolars | High-translucency zirconia | Balanced aesthetics and strength |
| Back teeth (molars) | Standard zirconia | Maximum strength for heavy bite load |
| Implant crown | Zirconia (any specification) | Biocompatible, stable, no gum discolouration |
Your dentist will confirm the recommended material for each tooth during your Day 2 assessment.
The Material Behind Your Crown — Why Zirconia Leads
Zirconia has become the clinical default for dental crowns worldwide — displacing metal, gold and porcelain-fused-to-metal. Here is why — and what the practical differences mean for you.
What Is Zirconia?
Zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂) is an advanced ceramic originally developed for industrial applications where extreme hardness and fracture resistance are required. In dentistry, it has been adapted into a biocompatible, tooth-coloured material with properties that no previous restorative material could match simultaneously:
- Strength: Zirconia has a flexural strength of 900–1,200 MPa — significantly higher than e.max (~400 MPa) and far higher than traditional porcelain. It can withstand the compressive forces of molar biting without fracture.
- Aesthetics: Modern high-translucency zirconia transmits light at levels approaching natural enamel — particularly in anterior (front tooth) applications.
- Biocompatibility: Zirconia is inert — accepted naturally by gum tissue without irritation, recession or inflammation. Unlike metal, it does not corrode and cannot cause allergic reactions.
- Longevity: Clinical data consistently shows zirconia crowns lasting 15+ years with proper care. Success rates exceed 95% at 5 years across multiple independent studies.
Zirconia vs. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM)
PFM crowns — a metal substructure covered with a layer of porcelain — were the standard for decades. Zirconia has displaced them for well-documented reasons:
| Zirconia | Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal | |
|---|---|---|
| Dark gum line | ✅ None — ever | ❌ Common as gum recedes |
| Porcelain chipping | ✅ Not applicable | ❌ Known failure mode |
| Metal allergy risk | ✅ None | ❌ Possible with some alloys |
| Temperature sensitivity | ✅ Minimal | ❌ Metal conducts heat and cold |
| Longevity | ✅ 15+ years | ❌ 7–10 years typical |
| Aesthetics | ✅ Natural — no grey | ❌ Metal visible at margin |
We do not recommend PFM crowns for front teeth. Where budget is a constraint, we will advise honestly on the trade-offs.
Vita Zahnfabrik — The Primary Brand
The zirconia used in our partner clinic laboratories is primarily sourced from Vita Zahnfabrik — a German dental materials company with over 70 years of manufacturing history, whose shade system (Vita Classical) is the global reference standard for dental colour matching.
Other brands in use:
- Upcera — A high-quality Chinese-manufactured zirconia, used widely across premium dental laboratories in Turkey and Europe.
- Katana (Kuraray Noritake) — A Japanese zirconia brand particularly noted for its ultra-translucent formulations, used in anterior aesthetic cases.
You will be told which material is used for your specific crowns. Material certificates are included in your post-treatment pack.
CAD/CAM Milling
Your crowns are not sculpted by hand. They are digitally designed — using data from your impressions — and precision-milled from a solid block of zirconia by a CNC milling machine. This means:
- A consistent thickness across the crown — no weak points
- Exact fit to your prepared tooth — no reliance on manual impression-reading
- Reproducibility — if a crown ever needs replacement, the specifications are on file
The final glazing and shade characterisation are applied by a dental ceramicist — the human expertise that produces a natural surface texture rather than a uniform ceramic finish.
Real Crown Results — Real Patients
Every case below was treated at one of our partner clinics. Crown results are often subtler than veneer transformations — the goal is a tooth that looks entirely natural and functions perfectly. That is what you will see here.
David R., 47 — Leicester, UK
Treatment: 4 zirconia crowns — upper front teeth (heavily discoloured post-root canal) Previous situation: Root-canal treated teeth had darkened significantly over the years — filling-based solutions had failed Duration: 5 days Material: High-translucency Vita Zirconia Saved vs. UK quote: £3,600
“My front teeth had been dark for years — I’d tried whitening, bonding, everything. My UK dentist finally said crowns were the only real option and quoted me £4,800. I paid £600 in Turkey including the hotel. The shade match to my remaining natural teeth is perfect. My own dentist couldn’t believe the quality when I showed her.”
Paul M., 54 — Hull, UK
Treatment: 6 zirconia crowns — upper premolars and molars (heavily filled, crack risk) Previous situation: Large amalgam fillings in multiple teeth — UK dentist advised crowning before fracture Duration: 5 days Material: Standard Vita Zirconia Saved vs. UK quote: £3,800
“Practical decision, not a cosmetic one — I needed these crowns to protect my teeth from cracking. The UK quote was £900 per tooth. Turkey was a fraction of that. The clinical experience was professional, calm and efficient. The crowns fit perfectly. My bite is better than it was before.”
Karen T., 45 — Aberdeen, UK
Treatment: 2 e.max crowns + 6 porcelain veneers (combined smile treatment) Previous situation: Two heavily restored front teeth needed crowns; remaining front teeth needed veneers for consistency Duration: 6 days Material: Ivoclar e.max crowns + e.max veneers Saved vs. UK quote: £5,500
“The fact that the crowns and veneers are indistinguishable from one another — or from my natural back teeth — is remarkable. The ceramicist’s shade work is extraordinary. I’ve recommended this to three people, two of whom have since gone.”
What Crown Patients Say
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Michael H., Birmingham, UK
“My UK dentist had been recommending crowns on three of my teeth for two years. The quotes ranged from £2,400 to £3,100 for three teeth. I paid £600 for four teeth in Turkey — including hotel and airport transfers — and had an extra day in a beautiful city. The crowns are clinically excellent. I had them checked by my UK dentist on return. Her exact words were: ‘These are very well done.’ I’ll be going back for the remaining two.”
Treatment: 4 zirconia crowns · October 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Claire D., Plymouth, UK
“Root canal treated molar needed a crown — UK quote was £950. I was already considering Turkey for veneers, so I combined both treatments into one trip. Saved well over £2,000 overall, had an excellent experience, and both the crown and veneers are perfect. The planning by the coordinator to combine two treatments efficiently into one schedule was impressive.”
Treatment: 1 zirconia crown + 6 porcelain veneers · August 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Tom P., Sheffield, UK
“I want to specifically mention the fit. I’ve had crowns done in the UK before and one never sat quite right — slight sensitivity at the margin for years. The zirconia crown fitted in Turkey is perfect. Zero sensitivity. Sits completely flush. Bite is natural. I don’t think about it — which is exactly what you want from a crown.”
Treatment: 2 zirconia crowns · January 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a crown different from a filling or a veneer?
A filling replaces missing tooth material within the tooth — it does not provide structural protection for the remaining walls. A veneer covers only the front surface of the tooth. A crown encases the entire visible portion of the tooth — all surfaces, from the gum line up. A crown is recommended when the remaining tooth structure is insufficient to support a filling safely, or when full-surface protection or restoration is required.
Will the crown match my other teeth?
Yes — shade matching is a core part of the treatment process. At your Day 2 assessment, your dentist records the shade of your surrounding natural teeth using a calibrated shade guide, under standardised lighting. This record goes to the laboratory alongside your impressions. The ceramicist fabricates the crown to match. For front teeth, the shade record also captures the translucency and surface characteristics of adjacent teeth. You approve the shade before bonding.
Do I need a root canal before having a crown?
Not necessarily. A root canal is needed only if the tooth’s nerve is infected, damaged or at risk — not simply because a crown is being placed. Your Day 2 assessment includes an X-ray to assess pulp health. If a root canal is needed, it is identified and discussed before any preparation begins. If the tooth’s nerve is healthy, no root canal is required. We will never recommend unnecessary treatment.
How long do zirconia crowns last?
Zirconia crowns are among the most durable restorations in dentistry. Clinical studies report success rates above 95% at 5 years. With normal oral hygiene and routine check-ups, zirconia crowns routinely last 15 years or longer with proper care. Longevity is reduced by grinding (a night guard extends it significantly), poor oral hygiene leading to gum recession at the crown margin, and failure to attend follow-up check-ups. Our written guarantee covers 3 years.
Is the preparation procedure painful?
No — it is performed under local anaesthesia throughout. You may feel pressure and vibration, but not pain. Some patients experience sensitivity on the prepared teeth between the preparation appointment and the final crown fitting — this is normal and managed with temporary crowns and, if needed, over-the-counter pain relief. It resolves completely once the permanent crown is cemented.
My tooth has already had a root canal — does that change anything?
Root-canal treated teeth are more brittle than vital teeth — they lose moisture over time and become more susceptible to fracture. This is precisely why crowning a root-canal treated tooth is strongly recommended. A zirconia crown wraps around the tooth and prevents fracture under normal function. The preparation and fitting process is identical to a standard crown — no additional complexity in most cases.
Can I have a crown fitted on an implant?
Yes — an implant crown is one of the most common applications for zirconia. The crown is fabricated to attach to the implant abutment rather than a prepared natural tooth, but the material, appearance and fitting process are essentially the same. If you have or are planning a dental implant, see our Dental Implants page for full details.
What happens if a crown comes loose or breaks?
Crown debonding — coming loose — is uncommon with modern adhesive cementation but can occur. If it happens within the guarantee period for a covered reason, we arrange re-cementation or replacement at no cost. If a crown fractures under trauma or due to grinding without a night guard, repair or replacement can be arranged at cost. Contact your coordinator first — they will advise on the appropriate next step. Full details in our Guarantee Policy.
A Tooth That Works, Looks Right and Lasts — Starting From £150
A crown is not a cosmetic indulgence. For the teeth that need one, it is the treatment that protects function, prevents fracture and restores appearance — in a single restoration.
The free assessment tells you exactly which teeth need crowns, which material is appropriate for each, whether any preparatory work is needed, and what everything costs before you book anything.
Send us your X-rays or photos. We review your case and come back within 24 hours with a precise, tooth-by-tooth plan.
No booking required. No payment. No pressure.