What is a dental crown? Types, procedure and cost from €180.
A dental crown is a cap that covers a broken, decayed or root canal-treated tooth to make it strong again. This guide explains when you need one, the types of crowns, how the procedure works and what it costs. At Elybe Clinic, crowns are made on site in Istanbul in 3 to 5 days.
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers the entire visible part of a damaged tooth, restoring its shape, strength and appearance. In dentistry, crowns are used after a root canal, on badly decayed or cracked teeth and on top of dental implants. They are made of zirconia, ceramic or porcelain fused to metal. At Elybe Clinic in Istanbul, a crown costs €180 to €320, compared with about $1,000 to $2,500 in the US.
What does a crown do for a tooth?
Your dentist may suggest a crown for
- A tooth that had a root canal and is now brittle.
- A large cavity or a crack too big for a filling.
- A worn or broken tooth.
- A badly discolored tooth that whitening cannot fix.
- A dental implant that needs a visible tooth on top.
Crown, veneer or bridge?
A crown covers the whole tooth. A veneer only covers the front of a healthy tooth for looks. A dental bridge joins crowns together to fill the gap of a missing tooth.
Types of dental crowns
Porcelain fused to metal
Strong and affordable. A thin gray line can show at the gum over time. Best for back teeth.
€180
Zirconia
Metal-free and very tough. A good crown on a molar or for people who grind.
€200, premium monolithic €320
All-ceramic
A versatile metal-free option that looks natural on most teeth.
€220
Dental crown procedure, step by step
Exam
X-ray, root canal if needed, and choice of material and shade.
Shaping
Under local anesthetic, 1 to 2 mm is trimmed from the tooth so the crown fits.
Scan
A digital scanner records the tooth. Our lab mills the crown in 24 to 48 hours.
Cementing
The crown is tried in, your bite is adjusted, then it is cemented for good.
How does a dental crown stay on?
On a natural tooth, the crown is cemented or bonded onto the shaped tooth. If little tooth is left, a post is first placed in the root to support it. On an implant, the crown is screwed or cemented onto an abutment.
Crown on a molar or a front tooth?
Molars take the most chewing force, so zirconia is the usual choice. Front teeth are about looks, so Emax or all-ceramic gives the most natural result.
Smiles of Elybe patients
Real photos of Elybe patients, before and after treatment.
How much does a dental crown cost?
Price per crown, without insurance.
US and UK figures are typical ranges published by local clinics; your quote may differ. Elybe prices include tooth preparation, digital scan, fabrication and cementing; hotel and transfers are included in packages. For a crown on an implant, see dental implant costs. Your exact price: free dental quote.
Dental insurance and crowns
In the US, many plans count a crown as a major procedure and pay around half, after the deductible and up to a yearly maximum. If you need several crowns, that maximum is often reached quickly. In the UK, NHS crowns fall under Band 3, while private crowns are paid in full. Treatment abroad is usually not covered, so compare your out-of-pocket cost with a trip to Istanbul.
Crowns milled on site, checked in your mouth
Specialist prosthetic team
Dentists who focus on crowns and bridges, trained on Sirona and 3Shape digital systems.
Traceable materials
Ivoclar zirconia and ceramics, with a certificate for your file.
No hidden extras
Prep, fabrication, cementing, hotel and transfers in one price.
5-year guarantee
Free yearly photo check-ups after you fly home.
Crowns in Istanbul in 3 to 5 days
Exam
Airport pickup, X-rays, treatment plan, root canal if needed.
Prep and scan
Tooth shaping, digital scan and shade selection.
Lab
Your crowns are made while you explore the city.
Fit
Try-in, bite adjustment, cementing and guarantee certificate.
Dental crowns: common questions
A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers the whole visible part of a damaged tooth. It restores the tooth's shape, strength and color, and protects it from breaking. A crown can also sit on a dental implant to replace a missing tooth.
The most common reasons are a root canal-treated tooth that has become brittle, a large cavity or crack, a big old filling that is weakening the tooth, a badly stained tooth or a dental implant that needs a visible tooth on top.
At Elybe Clinic, a crown on a natural tooth takes 3 to 5 days: the tooth is shaped and scanned, the lab makes the crown in 24 to 48 hours, then it is cemented. A crown on an implant is fitted on a second trip, 3 to 6 months after the implant.
No. The tooth is shaped under local anesthetic. A living tooth may feel sensitive to hot and cold for a few days afterwards. A tooth that had a root canal feels nothing.
Usually 10 to 15 years, often longer for zirconia. Brushing along the gumline, flossing, regular check-ups and a night guard if you grind your teeth all help a crown last.
At Elybe Clinic in Istanbul, a crown costs €180 to €320 depending on the material. In the US, a crown without insurance typically costs $1,000 to $2,500, and a private crown in the UK about £500 to £1,200.
In the US, many dental plans treat crowns as a major procedure and cover around half the cost after your deductible, up to an annual maximum that is often $1,000 to $2,000. In the UK, NHS crowns fall under Band 3. Check your own plan before booking.
Keep the crown, rinse it and see a dentist soon. If the crown and tooth are intact, it can often be re-cemented. Avoid chewing on that side in the meantime and do not glue it back yourself.
For information only, not a substitute for advice from a licensed dentist. Shaping a tooth for a crown is permanent: an exam is required first.
Treatments related to dental crowns
Receive your crown quote in 24 h
An intra-oral photo and, if possible, a panoramic X-ray are enough to build a precise plan.