Zirconia crowns are the gold standard of modern dental restoration — metal-free, highly aesthetic, and virtually indestructible. In Turkey, the same quality zirconia crowns used in UK private clinics are available at £150–£250 per tooth, compared to £700–£1,200 in the UK. For patients needing multiple crowns, this represents a life-changing saving.
What Is a Zirconia Crown?
A dental crown (also called a cap) is a tooth-shaped restoration that covers a damaged, decayed, or aesthetically compromised tooth entirely, restoring its function and appearance. A zirconia crown is made from zirconium dioxide — a white ceramic material that is milled using CAD/CAM technology to precise dimensions, then custom-shaded to match the patient's natural teeth.
Zirconia is the material used for hip joint replacements in orthopaedic surgery — an indication of its exceptional strength and biocompatibility. In dentistry, it has largely replaced metal-based crowns because it eliminates the dark grey gum line associated with metal cores, offers superior aesthetics, and is completely metal-free.
Types of Zirconia Crowns Available in Turkey
Monolithic Zirconia (Full Zirconia)
Milled entirely from a single block of zirconia. Extremely strong — ideal for molars and back teeth. Slightly less translucent than layered options but highly resistant to chipping. The first choice for patients who grind their teeth.
Turkey cost: £150–£200 | UK cost: £700–£1,000
Layered Zirconia (Zirconia + Porcelain)
A zirconia core with hand-layered porcelain on the outer surface. Greater aesthetic translucency — mimics natural enamel more closely. Suitable for front teeth where appearance is paramount. Slightly lower fracture resistance than monolithic.
Turkey cost: £180–£250 | UK cost: £800–£1,200
Ultra-Translucent Zirconia (High Translucency)
Modern formulations of zirconia (e.g., IPS e.max ZirCAD MT Multi) offer significantly improved translucency while maintaining strength. Now the preferred option for anterior (front) restorations at many top clinics.
Turkey cost: £200–£280 | UK cost: £900–£1,300
Zirconia vs Emax vs PFM Crowns
| Crown Type | Strength | Aesthetics | Best For | Turkey Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monolithic Zirconia | Excellent | Good | Back teeth, bruxism | £150–£200 |
| Layered Zirconia | Very Good | Excellent | Front teeth | £180–£250 |
| Emax (Lithium Disilicate) | Good | Outstanding | Front teeth, low force | £200–£280 |
| Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) | Very Good | Fair (grey line) | Older restorations, bridges | £100–£150 |
| Full Metal (Gold) | Outstanding | Poor | Back teeth (rare) | £100–£180 |
The Crown Procedure in Turkey
Day 1: Assessment
Examination, X-rays, and photography. The dentist assesses the tooth to be crowned — checking for decay, root condition, and bite relationship. If significant decay is present, a root canal may be recommended before crown placement.
Day 2: Tooth Preparation and Temporaries
The tooth is prepared — reducing the size to create space for the crown. Local anaesthetic is used throughout. Digital impressions are taken using an intraoral scanner (at top clinics) or physical impressions. A temporary crown is fitted while the permanent crown is manufactured.
Day 3–4: CAD/CAM Fabrication
At in-house laboratories (including Taki Dent), the crown is CAD/CAM milled from a zirconia blank, sintered, and characterised by a ceramic technician to match the shade prescription. Turnaround time is 24–48 hours at on-site laboratories.
Day 4–5: Fitting
The temporary crown is removed. The permanent zirconia crown is tried in for fit, occlusion (bite), and aesthetics before final cementation. Adjustments are made as needed. The crown is permanently bonded with resin cement.
How Many Crowns Do UK Patients Typically Get in Turkey?
For UK patients travelling specifically for crown treatment, it is common to treat multiple teeth in a single trip — since the travel cost is fixed regardless of the number of crowns. The most common scenarios:
- 1–4 crowns: Replacing failing metal or PFM crowns, or covering teeth after root canal treatment
- 6–10 crowns: Partial smile restoration, replacing multiple failing restorations
- Full mouth rehabilitation: 20–28 crowns — typically combined with implants for missing teeth
A full mouth of 28 zirconia crowns in Turkey at £200 per tooth costs £5,600. The same treatment in the UK would cost £19,600–£33,600.
Recommended Clinic: Taki Dent, Antalya
Taki Dent operates an in-house digital laboratory producing zirconia crowns with 24–48 hour turnaround. The clinic's ceramic technicians are trained in characterisation techniques that produce highly natural-looking results. All crowns are covered by a 5-year written guarantee.
Conclusion
Zirconia crowns in Turkey offer UK patients the same quality material — CAD/CAM milled zirconia from international-grade blanks — at 70–80% below UK private prices. For patients needing one crown or twenty, Turkey is the most cost-effective, quality-consistent option available.
Get a quote for zirconia crowns via Offerqo and compare Antalya clinics before you decide.
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