Dental Crowns in Turkey

Zirconia is very strong and resists chipping, so it suits back teeth, bridges and people who grind. Monolithic (solid) zirconia is the toughest and the lowest-priced; layered zirconia adds porcelain on top for a more natural look. e.max (lithium disilicate) lets more light through, so it looks especially natural on front teeth, but it is a little less strong. Older porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are still used, but can show a grey line at the gum over time.

Many plans mix them: e.max at the front, zirconia at the back.

Sources: Oral Health Foundation - Crowns; ADA MouthHealthy - Crowns.

A veneer is a thin shell bonded to the front of a tooth; a crown covers the whole tooth. Crowns are the right choice for teeth that are broken, heavily filled or root-treated. For healthy teeth that you only want to change in colour or shape, veneers usually remove far less tooth. Some “Turkey teeth” smile makeovers are in fact a full set of crowns on healthy teeth - ask which one your plan uses, and why.

Sources: Oral Health Foundation - Veneers; Oral Health Foundation - Crowns.

"Turkey teeth" is the name UK media use for smile makeovers abroad where healthy teeth were filed down for crowns, often sold as "veneers". The difference matters:

• A veneer covers the front of a tooth. A small amount of enamel is removed, and that cannot be undone (ADA).
• A crown covers the whole tooth, so far more of the tooth is removed. Crowns are the right choice for teeth that are broken, heavily filled or root-treated - not usually for healthy teeth that only need a new colour or shape.
• In a 2022 survey of UK dentists by the British Dental Association, crowns were the treatment most often needing follow-up work after treatment abroad, followed by implants.

This does not mean crowns are wrong - sometimes they are the best option, and some clinics sell good crown work at a fair price. It means you should know which one you are getting. Ask: is it a veneer or a crown, on which teeth, how much of each tooth will be removed, and why? If healthy teeth are to be crowned for looks, get a second opinion - whitening, bonding or veneers may be enough.

Sources: ADA MouthHealthy - Veneers; Oral Health Foundation - Crowns; British Dental Association - dental tourism survey (2022).

• A cracked, broken or worn-down tooth
• A tooth with a large filling that keeps failing
• A back tooth after root canal treatment
• A dental implant that needs a tooth on top
• A tooth that is badly discoloured and can’t be whitened

Gum disease and decay are treated first. If you are missing a whole arch of teeth, All-on-4 may make more sense.

Sources: Oral Health Foundation - Crowns.

To make room for the crown, the dentist shapes the tooth down by roughly 1–2 mm all round. This cannot be undone: once a tooth is crowned, it will always need a crown. That is why crowning healthy teeth purely for looks deserves a second opinion.

Sources: ADA MouthHealthy - Crowns.

• Sensitivity to hot and cold for a few weeks - common and usually temporary
• A tooth nerve that becomes inflamed and needs root canal treatment later
• A crown that chips, cracks or comes loose
• Gums that recede over the years and show the edge of the crown
• A bite that feels high at first - it should be adjusted before you fly home

Sources: Oral Health Foundation - Dental tourism.

With good care, crowns often last 10–15 years and many last longer. The crown itself rarely wears out - problems usually come from new decay at the edge or gum changes. Brush twice a day, clean between the teeth, see your dentist and hygienist regularly, and wear a night guard if you grind.

Sources: Oral Health Foundation - Crowns.

• Your &NewMe coordinator stays with you after you fly home - send photos and a description first; the clinic reviews them and tells you whether it can wait for your next visit.
• Keep a dentist at home for check-ups and hygiene visits. A loose crown or a chipped veneer can often be checked locally first.
• Ask before you book what follow-up is included and what happens if work has to be corrected - the Oral Health Foundation lists this among the key questions, because corrections at home can be expensive.

For swelling that gets worse, a fever, pus or severe pain, see a dentist or doctor at home straight away, then tell your coordinator.

Sources: Oral Health Foundation - Dental tourism; British Dental Association - dental tourism survey (2022).

Some clinics offer a guarantee on implants, crowns or veneers. It is set by the clinic, not by &NewMe, and the terms differ: what is covered, for how long, whether you must return for check-ups, and who pays for flights if something has to be redone. No guarantee is listed with the prices on this page - if a clinic offers one, it is written in your quote, and only that wording counts. The Oral Health Foundation suggests asking these questions before you book.

Sources: Oral Health Foundation - Dental tourism.

• A clinic registered with the Turkish Ministry of Health - for international patients you can check it on HealthTürkiye, the Ministry's portal. On &NewMe the Verified by &NewMe badge only appears when we have checked that registration (and, for a named dentist, their own HealthTürkiye record).
• A named dentist for your treatment, and who places the implants.
• A written plan with every item and unit price: implant brand, abutment, crown material, grafts, temporary teeth, the number of trips.
• Before-and-after photos of similar cases, and reviews on independent sites.

Many dental clinics work as a team - the clinic is the provider and names the dentist in your plan. How we verify

Sources: Oral Health Foundation - Dental tourism; British Dental Association - dental tourism survey (2022).