What Is the Best Dental Crown Material? Metal, Composite, Porcelain, Zirconia, and E-max Dental Crowns in Turkey and Prices
Dental crowns are one of the most commonly used dental treatments available today. Read on to find out more about dental crown treatment and information about dental holiday opportunities in Turkey.
What Is a Dental Crown? What Are Dental Crowns Used For?
Over time, teeth can be naturally worn out or damaged due to bad oral health, other diseases, and accidents involving facial trauma. Dental crowns are used in these situations to prevent a tooth from getting damaged further while protecting the tooth root and correcting the appearance of the tooth.
Typically, a dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is on top of a damaged tooth. Dental crowns cover the whole visible surface area of the tooth. When placed on a damaged tooth, dental crowns can prolong the life of the natural teeth below.
Dental crowns can be used as a cosmetic procedure to achieve a beautiful and healthy smile if your natural teeth are misshaped, discolored, stained, chipped, gapped, or if you don’t like how they look in general.
Moreover, dental crowns are also used together with dental implants in restorative dentistry. They can be attached on top of metal dental implants to completely replace a missing tooth.
Who Are Dental Crowns For?
- Those with worn-down teeth
- People with tooth decay
- Individuals who have chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
- Those who have stained or discolored teeth
- People who have large, worn out, or damaged tooth fillings
- People who got dental implants
- Those who will get dental bridges to restore a missing tooth
- Those who got root canal treatment and need a protective crown
- People who want to improve the appearance of their smile
How Are Dental Crowns Done: The Dental Crown Procedure in Turkey
A typical dental crown treatment generally takes two to three dental appointments to be completed. While there are some treatments that can be completed in a day, treatment process usually takes between 4-7 days with several days between appointments.
The Consultation and First Appointment:
- You will receive a thorough consultation on your first visit
- A panoramic X-ray will be taken to evaluate the health of the teeth and gums
- The dentist will often prepare your teeth after your consultation before taking your dental impressions. Tooth preparation is necessary for dental crowns. This entails the removal of tooth tissue from all sides of the tooth in order to shape the tooth so that to dental crown can be installed on top. This procedure is permanent. How much of your tooth needs to be removed depends on the condition of the tooth and the type of dental crowns you will be getting. On the other hand, if you are missing a lot of tooth tissue due to damage or decay, the dental filling material can be used to build up enough tooth structure to support the dental crown.
- As tooth preparation can cause tooth sensitivity, you will be getting a temporary dental crown before you leave the clinic, so you can go about your normal activities until you come back a few days later for a trial fitting.
- In this stage, your dentist will take measurements and impressions of your teeth. Following the initial appointment, dentists send the impressions of the patient’s original teeth to the dental lab, where professionals start to make the custom-made dental crown.
Second Appointment:
- The temporary crown will be removed.
- Your tooth will be cleaned and prepared for the crown placement.
- The dentist will check whether the custom-made dental crown fits properly and if its color is appropriate.
- A permanent crown will be placed on your tooth using a special adhesive.
- The dentist will conduct the final tests to see if your bite is correct.
What Are Dental Crowns Made Of? Dental Crown Types and Prices in Turkey
Many dental issues can be treated with a dental crown. The location of the tooth that needs a crown should be taken into consideration when choosing the type of crown to be utilized. While dental crowns for a front tooth need to be more natural-looking, crowns that will be used for molars must prioritize strength and durability. Of course, the material used to make dental crowns also affects how much they cost. Each dental crown option has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are the types of dental crowns that are used today:
- Metal Dental Crowns
- Composite Dental Crowns
- Porcelain Fused Metal Dental Crowns
- Porcelain Dental Crowns
- Zirconia Dental Crowns (Zirconium)
- E-max Dental Crowns
Metal Dental Crowns
These types of dental crowns are the most traditional options which have been used for many years. They can be produced from a variety of metals, including platinum, gold, copper, and other metal alloys. They are incredibly strong and do not get damaged easily.
The disadvantage of metal dental crowns comes from their appearance. The metallic look of these dental crowns appears unnatural. This is why metal dental crowns are mostly preferred for molars that are not visible when smiling. Because of their durability, they are a great option for molars.
Composite Dental Crowns
Dental crowns made completely of dental composite resin are the cheapest dental crown options. Dental composite resin is a restorative material that is tooth-colored. When you laugh, smile, or converse with your friends, composite crowns will blend in nicely with the rest of your teeth. They can be installed quickly, and repaired or replaced easily when necessary. They are a great alternative for people with metal allergies as they are metal-free.
Composite resin dental crowns, however, are much less strong than other kinds of dental crowns and are more likely to chip, crack, and wear out more quickly.
Also, composite crowns aren’t the best choice for use on the front teeth because they don’t seem as natural as porcelain crowns. They may also discolor and get stained more than crowns made of other materials because of the manner the material is created. Because of this, composite crowns are perfect for dental crowns on the back teeth.
Porcelain Fused with Metal Dental Crowns
Also called porcelain-metal dental crowns, these types of dental crowns are the traditional option for people who are looking for crowns that are both aesthetic and strong.
They are made up of two layers, namely, a metal base and the exterior tooth-colored porcelain layer. The metal part of the crown increases its strength, while the porcelain on the outside ensures that the crown looks natural and blends in with the rest of the natural teeth. They are also more affordable than all-porcelain metal crowns.
One disadvantage of porcelain fused with metal dental crowns is its appearance. Because there is a metal layer under the porcelain exterior, these dental crowns are completely opaque which can cause them to look unnatural at times. Moreover, often, a thin dark or black line at the edge of the crowns near the gum line may be visible. This is where the metal part shows through. This can be a problem if the gum line recedes over time exposing the thin metal line.
Porcelain Dental Crowns
One of the most frequently used dental crowns, these crowns are made entirely of porcelain materials. All-porcelain dental crowns offer patients a natural and aesthetic restoration alternative. They are frequently used for cosmetic dental treatments because of their great appearance. They can be created in many different shades and can match the color of every natural tooth shade.
Porcelain dental crowns are stain-resistant so they don’t get discolored. These dental crowns don’t have the appearance problems like porcelain fused with metal dental crowns which makes them a great option for front teeth.
However, they are not as durable as metal or porcelain fused with metal dental crowns and can be damaged more easily. They can also wear down the teeth opposite them in the mouth a little more than metal or composite resin crowns.
Zirconia Dental Crowns
Zirconia dental crowns’ popularity is rising in recent years. For dental restorative procedures, zirconia is one of the latest materials. Stronger than porcelain and some metal alloys, it is a form of ceramic, or more precisely, a zirconium oxide.
Zirconia dental crowns are known to be more durable than those made of other materials and they can withstand wearing down. They perform better when mounted on the back teeth because of their strength and durability under pressure. They are ideal if you want crowns that require little upkeep and endure a very long time.
Traditional zirconia crowns don’t look very natural because of their opaque appearance, which is one potential drawback. To give it a more natural look, it needs to be coated in blends of various materials such as porcelain. A crown that is made of zirconia and covered in porcelain will look more natural and be easier to color-match to the rest of the teeth.
E-max Dental Crowns
E-max dental crowns are the newest and most expensive type of crown available today, and for good reason. They are made from lithium disilicate material and they are a kind of glass-ceramic dental crowns. E-max dental crowns are one of the most requested treatments in Turkey and they are frequently
E-max dental crowns are also a great option for dental crowns thanks to their great appearance. They are incredibly popular in cosmetic dental treatments since they have the most natural appearance among all dental crown types. These types of dental crowns are especially known for their translucent quality. Because they have translucency, E-max dental crowns react extremely well with light which guarantees their natural-looking aesthetic. There are also more color shade varieties for E-max dental crowns which makes color-matching with the rest of the smile easier and more accurate.
They are not as durable as zirconia dental crowns. Since they are not as good at handling pressure, E-max dental crowns can be chipped or damaged in less time when they are used for molars. However, they are great for front teeth.
Note: It is important to state that while dental crowns differ up to a degree in how natural they look; porcelain, zirconia, and E-max dental crown are all great options for cosmetic dental treatment. You will be able to decide which one is the most suitable option for you with the help and guidance of your dentist.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last? What Is the Average Lifespan of a Dental Crown?
The longevity of dental crowns typically depends on the material choice, the location of the dental crown in the mouth, and how well the crowns are maintained.
Generally, composite dental crowns have the shortest lifespan which is around 5 years. Other types of dental crowns are thought to last for 10-15 years on average with proper oral hygiene. After this time, dental crowns will need to be replaced.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the keys to long-lasting dental crown treatments. In some cases, it has been observed that dental crowns lasted up to 30 years or even a lifetime.
How Long Does it Take to Get Dental Crowns?
The duration of the procedure depends on several factors such as the dental crown type, the number of dental crowns you will be getting, the necessity of additional dental treatments, and the availability and location of the dental laboratory where the crowns will be prepared.
Depending on these factors, a typical dental crown treatment can take anywhere between a single day to a week.
In Turkey, many dental clinics have incorporated CAD/CAM technologies into their treatments. CAD/CAM (computer-aided-design and computer-aided-manufacturing) technologies are used for all types of dental treatments and they digitalize the whole process of making dental prosthetics such as dental crowns, bridges, veneers, or dentures. With these technologies, it is possible to prepare highly accurate dental crowns very quickly. If the dental clinic works with a dental lab or has its own dental lab that uses CAD/CAM technologies, the process can move a lot faster.
What Is the Difference Between Dental Crowns and Dental Veneers?
There are many patients who wrongly have the idea that dental crowns and dental veneers refer to the same treatment. While it is true that both dental crowns and dental veneers have quite a few similarities when it comes to the procedure and the resulting appearance, they are two distinct dental treatments.
The biggest difference is the scope of the tooth preparation. Tooth preparation is an irreversible procedure as tooth tissues like the enamel don’t grow back. A dental veneer is a thin piece of porcelain or other similar materials and it is placed on the front surface of the tooth. Because dental veneers only cover the front-facing surface of the tooth, a thin layer of tooth enamel is removed only from this part of the tooth. On the other hand, a dental crown is thicker and covers the entire surface of a tooth. This necessitates a more invasive tooth preparation which means more tooth tissue removal and reshaping.
Another big difference between dental crowns and dental veneers is why they are used. Dental veneers are used to cover up minor visual defects on the visible surface of the teeth such as stains, discoloration, chips, or misalignment. Dental crowns, on the other hand, aim to fix both the aesthetics and the functionality of the tooth. Apart from improving the appearance, dental crowns are used to treat and protect the damaged natural tooth they are placed on top of. They will also give your teeth more strength and enable you to chew and grind food more effectively.
What Are Full Mouth Dental Crowns? How Much Do Full Mouth Dental Crowns Cost in Turkey?
Full mouth reconstruction using dental crowns may be a great treatment for those with multiple oral health issues such as tooth decay, missing teeth, or damaged teeth. There are 20–28 crown units in a full set of dental crowns. Your general oral health and the number of teeth that are visible when you smile will decide how many dental crowns you require. So, the number of dental crowns needed for such treatment depends on the individual needs of each patient.
In Turkey, the price of a complete set of zirconia crowns, covering 20 teeth, would be approximately £3,500. Similarly, a full set of porcelain crowns for 20 teeth would run roughly £1,850 in Turkish dental clinics. This treatment can also be done as a part of Hollywood smile makeover treatments.
If the patient has a lot of missing or severely damaged teeth, dental implant treatment might be necessary together with dental crowns.
Is It a Good Idea to Have Dental Treatment in Turkey? Why Is Dental Care Cheaper in Turkey?
Turkey’s history as a medical and dental tourism destination goes back decades. However, there is a surge in the number of foreign citizens coming to Turkey for dental treatments in recent years. Turkish cities like Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Fethiye, and Kusadasi are home to some of the most dental clinics in Turkey.
International patients fly to Turkey for dental treatments for a variety of reasons, the biggest of which are the high costs of dental treatments in their home country and the long wait lists.
Visiting Turkey as a dental tourist is a great solution to overcome both these problems. When you are making an appointment in a Turkish dental clinic, there will be virtually no waiting time. You will be able to travel according to your own schedule and skip the queues.
The biggest reason why Turkey is such a popular destination for dental treatments among people from all over the world is affordability. Compared to more expensive countries like the UK, the US, or many European countries, the costs for dental treatments in Turkey are up to 50-70% cheaper on average. This helps people save a considerable amount of money especially when they need more than one dental treatment. Moreover, Turkish dental clinics do not use cheaper products for treatments and use world-class renowned dental brands.
So, how is it possible that dental clinics in Turkey can offer such affordable and competitively priced dental treatments with high standard quality? There are several reasons behind this such as the low cost of living in the country, the low cost of operating dental clinics, and most importantly favorable currency exchange rates for foreigners.
Although the cost-effectiveness of dental tourism is its most tempting point, don’t sacrifice quality for low costs. Choosing the right dental clinic will ensure that you will have successful results and a bright smile in the end. Remember that when you select a reputable clinic, you are paying for the dentist’s expertise, premium dental equipment, and first-rate service.
As dental tourism has grown in popularity in recent years, CureHoliday is helping and directing more and more international patients looking for low-cost dental care at reputable dental clinics in Turkey. Our trusted dental clinics in Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Fethiye, and Kusadasi are ready to support you in the next step of your dental treatment journey. If you have any questions about dental holiday packages, you can reach us directly through our message lines. We will address all of your concerns and assist you in setting up a treatment plan.