Zirconia, E.max and metal-ceramic crowns for cracked, heavily filled or root-treated teeth, planned tooth by tooth in Istanbul and completed in one trip of about 5-7 days.
Crowns only where a tooth needs one
Material chosen per tooth: zirconia, E.max or PFM
Digital scan, try-in and bite check before fitting
“I really didn't want them to be too white or have that obvious fake look.”Dough · Trustpilot
Turkey crowns at Doctor Turka are zirconia and E.max dental crowns placed only on teeth that need one: cracked, heavily filled or root-treated.
Dental crowns in Turkey are custom-made ceramic caps that cover the whole visible part of a damaged tooth and hold it together. A crown is the right answer when a tooth has lost too much structure for a filling to last: a cracked molar, a tooth that is more filling than tooth, a root-treated back tooth that has become brittle, teeth worn short by grinding, or an old crown with a dark edge or a leaking margin. A crown is also the visible tooth on top of a dental implant.
A crown is not a cosmetic shortcut. Preparing a tooth for a crown removes roughly 1-2 mm from every surface, and that cannot be undone. That is why our dentists, Dr. Taha G and Dr. Hatice G, first check whether a filling, an onlay or a veneer would do the job with less drilling, and only then recommend a crown and a material for each tooth.
Patients from the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Switzerland come to our clinic in Ataköy, Istanbul, because they get the same materials used in Western Europe, E.max from Ivoclar and monolithic or layered zirconia, with a digital workflow and a written, itemised plan. Most crown cases are finished in one trip of five to seven days: examination and 3D CBCT, preparation and digital scan, a try-in, and final fitting. Packages can include hotel nights and VIP transfers between airport, hotel and clinic, and a coordinator who speaks English and German stays with you from the first call to your follow-up at home.
In the press
As featured on AP News, Google News and 36 TV news websites
“I had my zirconium crowns done a couple of weeks ago and thought I'd share my experience because I know how difficult it can be to decide where to go. I spent ages looking at different clinics and reading reviews before finally booking.
I was a bit nervous when I arrived, mainly because I wasn't sure how my teeth would look afterwards. I really didn't want them to be too white or have that obvious fake look. The dentist was lovely and we talked about the colour and shape before starting, which made me feel a lot better.
The first few days were a little uncomfortable, especially with the temporary teeth, but nothing I couldn't manage. I actually asked to change the shape of my front teeth slightly during the fitting and they were completely fine with it. I'm so glad I did because the final result is exactly what I had in mind.
I've been home for a little while now and everything feels good. My friends keep saying I look different but they can't quite figure out why 😂 I think that's probably the nicest compliment I could get because I wanted them to look natural.
Also have to mention how helpful everyone was during my stay. I had a few questions along the way and always felt comfortable asking. Really happy with how everything turned out and glad I finally went ahead with it ❤️”
DDough Zirconia crowns · Trustpilot
★★★★★
Verified review
“I had zirconia crowns fitted at Doctor Turka and I am very happy with my new smile. I wanted a result that suited me, so it mattered that the team listened to what I liked and what I was unsure about. They took my questions seriously and explained the treatment without making me feel rushed. The staff were friendly throughout my appointments, which made the whole experience easier. What I appreciate most is feeling comfortable smiling again. Thank you to everyone involved in my care.”
JJnae Ford Zirconia crowns · Trustpilot
★★★★★
Verified review
“I had my implants and zirconia crowns done here and I’m sooo happy with my new teeth!! 🥹 I was really nervous at first, but the dentists were honestly lovely. They explained everything and made me feel so comfortable. Everyone looked after me from start to finish, and my teeth look so natural. I can’t stop smiling now haha. Thank you all so much!! 🤍🦷”
SSerra Akaoglu Dental Implants · Trustpilot
Patient videos
Our patients tell their story
Real treatments at our clinic in Istanbul, filmed with the patients' consent. Ask us for cases similar to your Dental Crowns case.
Our patient coordinator takes your questions; medical questions are answered by Dr. Taha G and the team: whether Dental Crowns suits you, how long it takes and what the alternatives are.
Starting prices from our price list, next to typical private fees at home. Your exact price is in your written plan after a dentist’s assessment.
Number of teeth1
USA€1,2253
UKfrom €1,4008
Germany€700 to €1,0009
Istanbulfrom €120
UK, Germany, USA: published private fees, source numbers on the price list. Saving is calculated against the lower end of each range. Istanbul: our starting price. Your exact price is in your written plan after a dentist’s assessment. Sources
You save
up to 91%
compared with a private clinic at home, with the same implant systems and ceramics.
What to expect in the days and weeks after treatment, and what you can do yourself.
01First 24 hours
Wait until the anaesthetic has worn off before eating. Mild sensitivity to cold and slightly sore gums around the margins are normal; standard painkillers usually help.
02Days 2-7
Chew normally but avoid very hard or sticky foods while the bite settles. If one tooth hits first or aches on biting, the bite needs a small adjustment.
03First weeks at home
Clean the crown margins carefully with floss or interdental brushes. Gums often tighten and look healthier after two to four weeks.
04Long term
Check-ups and hygiene visits once or twice a year, X-rays of the margins every few years, and a night guard if you clench or grind.
Aftercare
Daily care at home
Good cleaning and regular check-ups keep the result healthy for years, you receive written care instructions.
Digital diagnostics3D CT scan and intraoral scanning
Hygiene standardsProtocol-based sterilisation
Named dentistsYou know who treats you
English & GermanCoordinator at every appointment
In-depth guide
What a dental crown is and how it works
A crown replaces the outer shell of a tooth. The dentist removes an even layer from all surfaces of the tooth, shapes a slightly tapered core, and a ceramic cap made to fit that core is fixed over it. Because the crown wraps all the way around the tooth, it holds cracked or weakened walls together and spreads chewing forces over the whole root, something a large filling cannot do.
The most important structural detail is the ferrule: a collar of sound tooth, ideally 1.5-2 mm high, that the crown grips above its margin. A good ferrule is what stops a crowned tooth from snapping at the gum line, especially after root canal treatment. If a tooth is broken down to gum level, the dentist may need to build it up, place a fibre post, or expose more tooth with a small gum procedure (crown lengthening) before a crown makes sense. Sometimes the honest answer is that the tooth cannot be saved, and an implant is the better long-term option.
When you need a crown, and when a filling, onlay or veneer is better
The best restoration is the smallest one that will last. Dentists decide by looking at how much healthy tooth is left, whether the cusps are undermined or cracked, and whether the tooth has a living nerve.
Situation
Usually the best option
Why
Small to medium cavity, strong walls
Direct composite filling
Least tooth removed, done in one visit
Large cavity, walls still thick
Ceramic inlay
Lab-made, bonded, stronger than a big filling
One or more cusps weak or cracked
Onlay or partial crown
Covers the cusps but keeps healthy tooth
Root-treated molar or premolar
Onlay or crown
Back teeth need cusp coverage after a root canal
Tooth mostly filling, walls thin, old crown failing
Crown
Only full coverage holds the tooth together
Healthy front tooth, colour or shape issue
Whitening, bonding or veneer
A crown would remove far more enamel
Tooth cannot be restored
Extraction and implant
A crown needs a sound root and ferrule
If most of the tooth is still healthy, read about inlays and onlays first. For cosmetic changes on intact front teeth, veneers are usually the more conservative route.
Your personal plan
Options, sequence and timing are discussed with you before anything is booked, in plain language.
Crown materials compared: zirconia, E.max and porcelain-fused-to-metal
Every crown material is a trade-off between strength, translucency and how much tooth has to be removed to give the material enough thickness. The figures below are typical ranges from manufacturers and the dental literature; exact values vary by product.
Monolithic zirconia
Layered zirconia
E.max (lithium disilicate)
Porcelain-fused-to-metal
Flexural strength
about 600-1,200 MPa (depends on type)
core high, porcelain layer about 80-120 MPa
about 360-500 MPa
metal frame strong, porcelain about 80-120 MPa
Translucency
low to moderate
good
high, most enamel-like
low (metal blocks light)
Chipping risk
very low
higher (veneering layer)
low
moderate
Typical reduction on biting surface
about 1.0-1.5 mm
about 1.5-2.0 mm
about 1.5-2.0 mm
about 1.5-2.0 mm
Typical reduction on sides
about 0.8-1.0 mm
about 1.2-1.5 mm
about 1.0-1.5 mm
about 1.2-1.5 mm
Fixing method
cement or adhesive
cement or adhesive
adhesive bonding preferred
cement
Best suited to
molars, bridges, implants, grinders
premolars, visible teeth
front teeth, crowns next to veneers
back teeth where looks matter less
Monolithic zirconia is the workhorse for back teeth. Because there is no porcelain layer, there is nothing to chip, and it can be made thinner than other ceramics. More detail is on the zirconia crowns page.
E.max is the aesthetic choice. Light passes into it and scatters like it does in enamel, which is why a single E.max crown can disappear next to natural teeth. See E.max crowns for when it is and is not suitable.
PFM crowns have decades of data behind them and remain reasonable for back teeth, but the metal core makes them look flatter, and a grey edge can appear if the gum recedes. Our blog has a deeper side-by-side comparison of zirconia, E.max and PFM crowns.
Front teeth, back teeth, implants and root-treated teeth
Crowns on front teeth
Front teeth carry less force but are judged from close up in daylight. E.max or carefully layered zirconia usually gives the most natural result. If the tooth underneath is very dark, for example after an old root canal, the dentist may choose a more opaque core or bleach the tooth internally first, because a translucent crown lets some of that colour through.
Crowns on back teeth
Molars can take chewing forces of several hundred newtons, far more in people who clench. Monolithic zirconia is usually the safest choice here. E.max works well on premolars and on molars in patients with a normal bite, provided the tooth allows enough material thickness.
Crowns on implants
An implant crown sits on an abutment rather than a prepared tooth. Where possible, our dentists prefer screw-retained implant crowns: they can be removed for maintenance, and there is no risk of excess cement trapped under the gum. Implant crowns are usually made in zirconia, bonded to a titanium base. They are fitted after the implant has integrated, which typically means a second trip; see our dental implants pages.
Crowns on root-canal-treated teeth
After a root canal, a back tooth loses moisture and internal support and is more likely to crack. Studies consistently show that root-treated molars and premolars last longer when their cusps are covered by an onlay or crown. Front teeth that are still largely intact may only need a bonded filling. A post is used only when there is too little tooth left to retain a core, not routinely. If you need a root canal first, it is done and checked before the final crown; see root canal treatment.
Dental crowns in Turkey, step by step
Before you travel, you leave your contact details, your coordinator calls or writes to you, a dentist assesses your case from what you describe (an existing X-ray can be useful if you have one), and you receive a written, itemised plan and quote. The final plan is confirmed after the examination and CBCT in the clinic. The overall process is described on our how it works page.
Day
What happens
Day 1
Arrival and transfer. Examination, X-rays and 3D CBCT, nerve vitality tests, final plan per tooth
Day 2
Old crowns and fillings removed, build-ups placed, teeth prepared, digital scan, shade taken, temporary crowns
Days 3-4
Laboratory designs and mills or presses the crowns; free time
Day 5
Try-in: margins, contacts, bite, shape and shade checked; adjustments go back to the lab
Day 6
Final fitting: cementation or adhesive bonding, bite fine-tuned, polishing
Day 7
Final check and flight home
Digital scan instead of impressions
An intraoral scanner records the prepared teeth in 3D in a few minutes, without the gagging trays of traditional impression material. Scans show the margin clearly on screen, so the dentist can check the preparation before the patient leaves the chair. For very deep margins below the gum, a conventional impression is sometimes still the better tool, and a good dentist will say so.
Try-in before anything is fixed
At the try-in you see the crowns in your mouth in natural light. The dentist checks that the margins sit flush, that floss passes the contacts with slight resistance, that the bite is even, and that shape and shade match. This is the moment to say if something does not look right.
Cementation or adhesive bonding
Zirconia and PFM crowns can be fixed with conventional or resin-modified cement, which is forgiving and suits deep margins. E.max crowns are usually adhesively bonded: the inside of the crown is etched and primed and bonded to the tooth with resin cement under strict moisture control, which makes the tooth and crown behave more like one unit.
Explained step by step
Your dentist explains how the tooth and the treatment work, so you know what to expect at every appointment.
How many days in Istanbul and how many trips
Most crowns on natural teeth need one trip of five to seven days. Plan seven to ten days if you need many crowns, several root canals or gum treatment first. A second trip is usually needed only when crowns sit on new implants, or when a full-mouth rebuild requires a period of wearing long-term temporaries to test a new bite height. Your written plan states the number of trips and days before you book.
Who crowns are not suitable for, and the alternatives
A crown is the wrong choice when a smaller restoration would do, or when the foundation is not ready.
Healthy or only slightly discoloured teeth: whitening, composite bonding or veneers remove far less tooth.
Active gum disease: gum treatment comes first; crowns on inflamed gums often end with recession and exposed margins.
Untreated infection or a cracked root: the root must be sound; a vertically split root usually means extraction.
Too little tooth above the gum: without a ferrule, a crown may fail; crown lengthening, a post and core, or an implant may be better.
Uncontrolled grinding without a night guard: choose monolithic zirconia and wear a guard, or accept a higher risk of fracture.
Teenagers: large nerves and gums that are still maturing usually make crowns a later decision.
For a missing tooth, the alternatives are an implant crown or a dental bridge.
Turkey crowns vs veneers: why healthy teeth should not be crowned
"Turkey teeth" became a byword for rows of bright white crowns placed on healthy teeth that were ground down to small pegs. The problem is not Turkey or the material. It is the decision to crown teeth that did not need crowning. Removing 1-2 mm from every surface of a healthy tooth brings the preparation close to the nerve. Studies report that a few per cent, and in some series more than ten per cent, of teeth prepared for crowns or bridges later need root canal treatment, and the risk rises with the amount of tooth removed.
Our dentists crown a tooth when it is structurally compromised, not to change the colour of a healthy smile. Where you want a brighter or more even smile, they will discuss whitening, bonding or veneers first. Read more in Turkey teeth: what it means and how to avoid it.
Care explained to you
Before you fly home, the team shows you how to clean and look after your new teeth.
Lifespan, failure modes and how to make crowns last
Modern crowns are among the most durable restorations in dentistry. Systematic reviews report five-year survival for single crowns typically around 90-97 %, and many crowns stay in service for 15 years or more. When crowns fail, the ceramic is rarely the first thing to go.
Decay at the margin: the edge where crown meets tooth is the weak point. Plaque left there causes new decay under the crown.
Gum recession: as gums recede with age or hard brushing, the crown edge or darker root surface can show. With PFM the metal edge becomes visible.
Chipping: layered porcelain can chip, especially in grinders. Monolithic zirconia almost never does.
Fracture of the tooth underneath: more likely with little ferrule or after root canal treatment.
Debonding: a crown comes loose, usually because the core was short or the margin leaked. It can often be re-fixed.
Nerve problems: a living tooth may become inflamed months or years later and need a root canal through the crown.
Grinding and clenching
Bruxism multiplies the forces on crowns. For grinders, our dentists favour monolithic zirconia on back teeth, check that the bite guides evenly, and recommend a night guard. Zirconia is very hard, so it is polished to a high gloss to limit wear of opposing teeth.
Risks and how they are reduced
Crown treatment is routine, and the risks are the same in Istanbul as in London or Munich. Sensitivity after preparation is common and usually fades within days. A high spot on the bite is adjusted in minutes. The larger risks are reduced by planning: 3D CBCT and vitality tests before preparation, conservative reduction with depth guides, digital scans checked on screen, a try-in before fixing, and careful removal of excess cement. Where a tooth has a questionable nerve, the dentist will discuss that before crowning it rather than after.
Recovery and aftercare at home
Most people go back to normal activities the same day. Gums around new crowns may be tender for a few days. Clean along the margins every day with floss, tape or interdental brushes, use fluoride toothpaste, and avoid biting on ice, bottle tops or hard sweets. Keep your check-ups at home once or twice a year; we give you a treatment summary and X-rays so your local dentist knows exactly what was done.
How to choose a clinic for dental crowns in Turkey
The fit at the gum line decides how long a crown lasts, and it is invisible in photos. Ask any clinic:
Why does each tooth need a crown rather than a filling, onlay or veneer?
Which material is recommended for each tooth, and which brand?
Is there a CBCT, a vitality check and a try-in before final fitting?
Will crowns be cemented or bonded, and why?
Is the plan written and itemised, with guarantee terms in writing?
Red flags include a quote for a full set of crowns before anyone has examined you, pressure to crown every visible tooth, a very short stay for a large case, and no written guarantee. Online reviews help, but check that they describe the process and follow-up, not only the photo on the last day.
What shapes your treatment plan and quote
Your plan depends on the number of crowns, the material per tooth, whether teeth need build-ups, posts or root canals, removal of old work, gum treatment, and whether crowns go on implants. A night guard and package elements such as hotel and transfers are listed separately. Current starting prices are on our dental costs in Turkey page, and your own quote is always written and itemised before you travel.
Guarantee and follow-up from home
Your crowns come with a written guarantee; the terms, including what is covered and what you need to do to keep it valid, such as regular check-ups, are explained in your plan. After you fly home, your coordinator remains your contact. If a crown feels high, comes loose or a tooth becomes sensitive, contact us and our dentists advise on the next step. Many small issues can be handled by your local dentist with the records we provide.
Included in your package
Everything arranged, one point of contact
Treatment planTooth by tooth, agreed with you in writing
Clinical checksThe examinations your dentist considers necessary
AccommodationArranged for you when it is part of your written plan
TransfersAirport · hotel · clinic, as set out in your plan
Personal coordinatorEnglish and German, 7 days a week
Follow-upWritten guarantee terms and support after you return home
What exactly is included is set out in your personal, written plan.
Answers about Dental Crowns. Not listed? Ask us directly.
How much is a dental crown in Turkey?
The fee per crown depends on the material (monolithic zirconia, layered zirconia, E.max or PFM), whether the crown goes on a natural tooth or an implant, and on any work the tooth needs first, such as a build-up, post, root canal or removal of an old crown. Package elements like hotel nights and transfers are itemised separately. Our current starting prices are on the dental costs in Turkey page, and you receive a written, itemised quote before you travel. For a full breakdown, read our guide to dentist prices in Turkey 2026.
How many days do I need in Turkey for crowns?
Most patients stay five to seven days. That covers examination and CBCT, preparation and scanning, laboratory time, a try-in and final fitting. If you need many crowns, several root canals or gum treatment first, plan seven to ten days. Your written plan states the length of stay before you book flights.
Is zirconia or E.max better?
It depends on the tooth. Monolithic zirconia is stronger and does not chip, so it is usually chosen for molars, bridges, implants and people who grind. E.max is more translucent and is usually chosen for single front teeth and for crowns next to veneers. Many patients have E.max at the front and zirconia at the back, with the shades matched. Our dentists recommend a material for each tooth.
Does getting a crown hurt?
Preparation is done under local anaesthetic, so you feel pressure and vibration rather than pain. When the numbness wears off after two to four hours, the gums and tooth may be tender and sensitive to cold for a few days; standard painkillers usually help. If a tooth aches when you bite, the bite may be slightly high and needs a quick adjustment.
How long do dental crowns last?
Reviews report five-year survival for single crowns typically around 90-97 %, and many last 15 years or longer. The crown rarely wears out first: most are replaced because of decay at the margin, gum recession, a fracture of the tooth underneath or a loose crown. Daily cleaning at the gum line, regular check-ups and a night guard if you grind make the biggest difference.
Can crowns be whitened later?
No. Ceramic does not respond to whitening gel. If you would like whiter teeth overall, whitening is done before the shade of the crowns is chosen, usually a week or two ahead so the colour has stabilised. Your new crowns are then matched to the whitened teeth.
Can I fly home straight after my crowns are fitted?
Yes. Crowns do not involve surgery, so flying the same day or the next day is fine. Most patients keep a final check on the day after fitting so the bite can be fine-tuned before departure.
What do reviews of dental crowns in Turkey actually tell you?
Reviews and forum threads are useful for how a clinic communicates, whether the plan matched the final bill and how problems were handled after patients went home. They say little about margin fit or why each tooth was crowned. Look for reviews that describe an examination, a try-in and follow-up, and be cautious of clinics that quote a full set of crowns before examining you.
Are crowns from Turkey safe?
Crowns are a routine treatment and carry the same risks in Istanbul as anywhere else. Safety depends on diagnosis and workmanship: a CBCT and vitality check before preparation, conservative reduction, an accurate scan, a try-in and careful cementation. The real risk behind "Turkey teeth" stories is crowning healthy teeth. Ask any clinic why each tooth needs a crown, which material it will be, and whether you get a written plan and guarantee.
Will I need more than one trip?
Crowns on natural teeth are usually finished in one trip. A second visit is typically needed when crowns go on newly placed implants, which need a few months to integrate, or in full-mouth cases where a new bite height is tested with long-term temporaries first. The number of trips is in your written plan.
Are porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns still a good choice?
PFM crowns have a long track record and remain a reasonable option for back teeth where appearance matters less. Their drawbacks are aesthetic: the metal core blocks light so they look flatter, and a grey line can appear if the gum recedes. They are not advisable if you have a known metal sensitivity. For visible teeth most patients prefer zirconia or E.max.
Do I need a root canal before a crown?
Not usually. A crown is placed on a tooth with a living nerve unless the nerve is infected, dying or the preparation would reach it. Our dentists test vitality and check the CBCT before preparing. If a root canal is needed it is done first, and a root-treated back tooth then benefits from cusp coverage by an onlay or crown.
Should I get crowns or veneers?
Veneers cover only the front surface and suit healthy front teeth with colour, shape or small alignment issues. Crowns cover the whole tooth and suit teeth that are broken, heavily filled or root-treated. If your teeth are healthy, veneers, bonding or whitening remove much less tooth. Our dentists recommend a crown only where the tooth needs full coverage.
What can I eat after getting crowns?
With temporaries, avoid sticky and very hard foods and chew carefully on that side. After final fitting you can eat normally once the anaesthetic has worn off. Bonded crowns reach full strength quickly. As with natural teeth, avoid biting on ice, bones, bottle tops or hard sweets, which can crack both ceramic and tooth.
What happens if a crown comes loose or breaks at home?
Keep the crown, avoid chewing on that side and contact your coordinator. Our dentists advise whether a local dentist can re-fix it, which is often possible, or whether it should be assessed. Your written guarantee terms explain what is covered. We give you a treatment summary and X-rays so any dentist can see what was done.
Should I have a crown or a veneer?
A crown rebuilds a tooth that is broken, heavily filled or root-treated; a veneer resurfaces a healthy tooth for appearance. We do not crown healthy teeth just to change their look. Compare them in veneers vs crowns.
Question not answered here?
Ask us, a coordinator replies personally, and a dentist answers medical questions.
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