Zirconia crowns: strong, useful, and not veneers
Zirconia makes excellent crowns for damaged teeth. The problem is only when it's sold as a "veneer" for teeth that are healthy.
Medically reviewed by Dt. Hüseyin Yavuz Özbek, dentist (prosthetics and implant surgery) · Updated October 2026A zirconia crown is a strong, metal-free cap that covers the whole tooth, so the tooth is shaped on every side to fit it. What's sold as a "zirconia veneer" is usually this crown. It's a good choice for broken, heavily filled or root-treated teeth. With us it costs £150 per tooth, with a 5 years guarantee.
What a zirconia crown is
The NHS describes a crown as a cap that completely covers a real tooth. Zirconia crowns are made from zirconium oxide, a very strong, metal-free ceramic, so there's no grey line at the gum like some older metal-based crowns.
To make room for a crown, the tooth is shaped all the way round, impressions or scans are taken, and a temporary crown protects the tooth while the final one is made.
Why "zirconia veneers" are usually crowns
A veneer covers the front of a tooth. A zirconia "veneer" sold in a package of 16, 20 or more teeth is, in nearly every case, a full crown. That's not a small difference in wording:
- Much more of each tooth is removed, and it can't grow back
- The tooth will need a crown for the rest of its life
- Heavy shaping of healthy teeth can irritate the nerve, which may then need root canal treatment (our view as dentists)
- Natural tooth enamel, dentine and the nerve
- Veneer a thin shell on the front only
- Crown filed down all round, then capped
When a zirconia crown is the right choice
The Oral Health Foundation lists the reasons a crown may be recommended. Zirconia is a sensible material for many of them:
- A tooth that's badly damaged or broken
- A tooth weakened by a large filling
- A tooth that's been root canal treated
- A tooth that's worn down or cracked
- Replacing old crowns, or supporting a bridge
Our approach: we'd rather protect a healthy tooth than crown it. If your front teeth are healthy, we'll talk to you about laminate veneers, bonding or whitening first.
Our zirconia prices
£150 per tooth, with a 5 years written guarantee. Packages include 5 nights in a hotel and transfers.
Find a package price
One visit, hotel, transfers and a panoramic X-ray included; flights not included. Prices for other numbers of teeth on request.
Common questions
Is there such a thing as a zirconia veneer?
Some clinics make thin zirconia veneers, but what most clinics in Turkey sell as "zirconia veneers" are full crowns. Ask whether the tooth will be shaped all the way round.
Why are zirconia crowns cheaper than E-max laminate veneers?
They're quicker to make and fit, and fitting a thin veneer precisely takes more time and skill. A cheaper price per tooth doesn't make a crown the better choice for a healthy tooth.
How long does a zirconia crown last?
The Oral Health Foundation says crowns can last many years with good care. Your dentist can give you an idea for your own teeth. Our written guarantee on crowns is 5 years.
How long do I stay for zirconia crowns?
With us, zirconia crown packages include 5 nights in Antalya.
Sources
- Oral Health Foundation — Dental crowns (uses, fitting and care)
- NHS — Dental treatments (a crown completely covers a real tooth)
- Precious Dental — Guarantee terms
Checked October 2026. Where we give our own view as a clinic, we say so.
Not sure what your teeth need?
Send us a few photos of your smile. A dentist looks at them and tells you plainly whether you need veneers, crowns, whitening, bonding, or nothing at all.