A dental crown is a custom-made “cap” that is placed over a tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. When a tooth is heavily damaged by decay, fracture, or a root canal, a simple filling is not enough. A crown covers the *entire* visible portion of the tooth, protecting it from further damage.
Turkey is a world-renowned center for high-quality, aesthetic dental restorations. Using the latest materials like Zirconia and E-max and advanced CAD/CAM technology, our clinics can create a crown that is both incredibly durable and indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
Why Would I Need a Dental Crown?
Your dentist will recommend a crown in several common situations:
- To Restore a Broken Tooth: To hold together a tooth that is cracked or severely worn down.
- After a Root Canal: A tooth is brittle after a root canal and needs a crown for protection against fracture.
- To Support a Large Filling: When there isn’t much natural tooth left, a crown holds the tooth together.
- To Attach a Dental Bridge: Crowns are placed on the teeth adjacent to a gap to anchor a bridge.
- To Cover a Dental Implant: A crown is the final, visible “tooth” part of an implant.
- For Cosmetic Reasons: As part of a Smile Makeover, crowns are used to cover misshapen or severely discolored teeth.
Types of Crowns We Offer: Zirconia vs. E-max
Choosing the right material is key to your result. We use only the highest-grade, metal-free restorations.
1. Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia is a type of ceramic that is biocompatible and exceptionally strong—it’s known as “ceramic steel.” This is our most-used material.
- Best For: Any tooth, but especially **back teeth (molars)** that need to withstand heavy biting forces. It is also excellent for **dental bridges** due to its supreme strength.
- Aesthetics: Modern monolithic Zirconia (e.g., Katana) has excellent translucency and can be used beautifully for front teeth as well.
2. E-max Crowns (Lithium Disilicate)
E-max is a specific type of all-ceramic crown prized for its superior aesthetics. It is the gold standard for cosmetic dentistry.
- Best For: **Front teeth** (incisors and canines). Its glass-ceramic structure mimics the translucency and light-reflecting properties of natural enamel better than any other material.
- Note: While strong, it is not *as* strong as Zirconia, so it’s less commonly used on back molars.
3. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM)
This is the older, traditional type of crown. While strong, we generally *avoid* PFM crowns for aesthetic work, as the metal base can create a dark, unattractive line at the gum level over time. We prioritize 100% metal-free, biocompatible restorations.
The Crown Procedure in Turkey: A 5-7 Day Process
Your new crowns can be designed, fabricated, and fitted in a single trip.
- Visit 1: Consultation & Preparation. Your dentist will take a 3D scan and X-rays. The tooth (or teeth) is then prepared under local anesthesia (pain-free). This involves “shaping” the tooth to make room for the crown.
- Visit 2: Digital Scan & Temporary Crowns. A high-tech digital impression (3D scan) is taken of your prepared teeth. This digital file is sent to our in-house lab. You will be fitted with temporary crowns to wear while your permanent ones are made.
- Visit 3: Lab Fabrication (In-Progress). Over the next 2-3 days, our dental technicians use CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Manufacturing) technology to mill and hand-finish your permanent Zirconia or E-max crowns.
- Visit 4: Trial & Final Fitting. The temporary crowns are removed, and your new permanent crowns are tried in. The dentist will check the fit, color, and your bite. Once you are 100% happy, they are permanently cemented into place.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Dental Crowns
What is the difference between a Crown and a Veneer?
This is a key difference. A **Veneer** is a thin shell that covers only the *front* of the tooth. A **Crown** is a “cap” that covers the *entire 360-degree* circumference of the tooth. You need a crown if the tooth is weak, broken, or has a large filling; a veneer is used for purely cosmetic changes.
Is the preparation procedure painful?
No. Your tooth and the surrounding gum are completely numbed with local anesthesia before the dentist begins. You will not feel any pain during the preparation.
How long do crowns last?
With good oral hygiene (brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups), you can expect your Zirconia or E-max crowns to last for 15 years or more.