Zirconium crowns

What are zirconium crowns and when do you need one?

A zirconium crown is a tooth-shaped cap that fully covers a damaged or weakened tooth, restoring its strength, shape and natural appearance. At Dentfix we use high-grade Ivoclar zirconia — a metal-free ceramic that is both extremely durable and natural-looking, with a translucency close to real enamel. Because there is no metal substructure, you never see a dark grey line at the gum, even years later.

Your prosthodontist may recommend a zirconium crown when a tooth is:

• Badly decayed or broken and can no longer be repaired with a simple filling
• Cracked, worn down or weakened after root canal treatment
• Discoloured, misshapen or out of line with the rest of your smile
• Topping a dental implant, where a crown is fitted onto the implant post
• Part of a bridge that replaces one or more missing teeth

Crowns cover the whole tooth, while veneers and E-max laminates are thin shells bonded only to the front surface. If you are restoring several front teeth at once for cosmetic reasons, your dentist may discuss a Hollywood Smile makeover instead. During your free online consultation, the team will tell you exactly which option fits your case.

Zirconia vs metal and PFM crowns

Older crowns are often made from metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), where a layer of porcelain is baked over a metal core. They are strong, but the metal can show as a dark edge near the gum and looks less lifelike. Zirconium crowns solve this:

• Metal-free and biocompatible — no metal core, a good choice for patients sensitive to metals.
• Natural look — zirconia transmits light like real enamel, so there is no grey gum line and the colour is matched to your other teeth.
• Highly durable — zirconia is one of the strongest dental ceramics, well suited to both front teeth and chewing back teeth.
• Kind to gums — the smooth surface resists plaque and helps the gum stay healthy around the crown.

At Dentfix, all zirconium crowns are made from FDA/CE-certified Ivoclar zirconia and fitted by a prosthodontist — Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Atay or Dr. Suhan İnal — so both the materials and the hands placing them meet a high standard.

The zirconium crown process, step by step

Your treatment is planned before you travel and completed comfortably during a single trip to Istanbul:

• Free online consultation — you send photos and we prepare a treatment plan and transparent quote, with no obligation.
• Examination & preparation — on arrival, your prosthodontist examines the teeth, takes digital scans and gently prepares the tooth to receive the crown.
• Design & shade matching — the crown is designed and the zirconia shade is matched to your natural teeth for a seamless result.
• Fabrication — your custom Ivoclar zirconia crowns are produced in the lab while you stay nearby.
• Fitting & final check — the crowns are bonded into place, the bite is adjusted and polished, and you leave with a finished smile.

You will also receive aftercare guidance so your new crowns stay healthy long after you return home.

How long zirconium crowns last and how to care for them

With good care, zirconium crowns are a long-lasting restoration. Zirconia is highly resistant to chipping and wear, and because the crown is custom-made to your bite, it functions like a natural tooth. Looking after them is simple:

• Brush twice a day and floss daily, just like your natural teeth.
• Keep up regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings.
• Avoid biting very hard objects (ice, pen lids, nut shells) to protect the crown and the tooth beneath it.
• Mention any teeth-grinding to your dentist — a night guard can protect your crowns while you sleep.

The crown itself does not decay, but the natural tooth underneath still can, so good hygiene keeps the whole restoration strong for years.

Your days in Istanbul

Most zirconium crown patients spend around 5 to 7 days in Istanbul, which is enough time to prepare the teeth, fabricate the crowns and fit them with a final check. Dentfix is located in Şişli, in the heart of the city, and our coordinators look after you in 7 languages from the moment you arrive.

We welcome patients from more than 40 countries and hold a 4.9/5 Google rating across 500+ reviews. Your coordinator helps you plan your stay around the treatment so you have time to rest — and to enjoy Istanbul — between appointments.

Transparent zirconium crown prices

At Dentfix, zirconium crowns cost €175–€225 per tooth, and your free online consultation and personalised treatment plan are included at no charge. Abroad, the same crown typically costs between €600 and €2,200 per tooth in Germany, the UK or the USA — so treatment in Istanbul can save you a great deal while using FDA/CE-certified Ivoclar materials placed by a prosthodontist.

Every quote is personalised and there are no hidden costs. See the full price list for all treatments, or request a tailored quote through a free consultation — we will confirm exactly how many crowns you need and what your total will be before you decide.