What is an implant supported metal ceramic crown?
An implant supported metal ceramic crown is the visible tooth that sits on top of a dental implant. It is made in two layers: a thin metal framework (a cobalt-chromium or other dental alloy) that gives the crown its strength, and a layer of tooth-coloured porcelain fired onto that framework to give it shape and colour. The crown is fixed to a small connecting piece, the abutment, which is screwed into the titanium implant in the jawbone. Dental laboratories in Turkey make these crowns routinely, and the technique is also known as porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) on an implant.
The crown is only the last step of implant treatment. This guide covers the crown itself: how it is attached, when metal-ceramic is a sensible choice and when zirconia is a better one, what it costs in Turkey against the UK, US and Germany, how many visits to plan, and what can go wrong. If you also need the implant placed, our dental treatments in Turkey hub lists the related procedures.
How is a metal ceramic crown attached to an implant?
There are two ways to hold the crown in place. In a screw-retained crown, a small screw passes through the crown and into the abutment; the access hole is then sealed with a tooth-coloured filling. In a cement-retained crown, the crown is bonded onto the abutment with dental cement, much like a crown on a natural tooth. Screw-retained crowns can be removed by the dentist without damage, which makes repairs and cleaning around the implant easier; cement-retained crowns avoid the access hole but leftover cement under the gum is a recognised cause of inflammation around implants, so careful removal of excess cement matters.
Metal ceramic crowns suit implants because the metal framework is rigid and tolerates the strong bite forces that implants transmit; an implant has no ligament to cushion the load as a natural tooth does. For the molar region this can be an advantage over thinner all-ceramic designs.
Metal ceramic, zirconia or full metal: which crown material for an implant?
Three materials are common on implants. Metal ceramic has the longest clinical history and a strong core. Monolithic zirconia is a solid ceramic with no metal and no thin porcelain layer to chip; see our guide to zirconia crowns. Full metal (usually gold alloy) is the toughest but very visible and rarely chosen for front teeth. A related option on natural teeth is described in our page on cermet crowns.
| Crown material | Best suited to | Typical limits |
|---|---|---|
| Metal ceramic | Back teeth and bridges needing a rigid core; tighter budgets | Porcelain can chip; a dark metal line may show at the gum edge; metal allergy rarely |
| Monolithic zirconia | Back teeth under heavy bite; patients who want a metal-free crown | Can look more opaque; harder to adjust; needs a precise lab |
| Layered zirconia or ceramic | Front teeth where appearance matters most | Higher price; veneering layer can chip like porcelain on metal |
Tell the dentist if you have ever reacted to nickel or other metals; most dental alloys used for crowns are nickel-free, but you should ask which alloy will be used.
Does a metal ceramic implant crown work and how long does it last?
Yes. Porcelain-fused-to-metal is one of the most studied crown types in dentistry, and on implants the commonest problems are mechanical rather than biological: porcelain chipping and a loosening screw. Reviews of implant crowns report that most remain in function for many years, but the implant itself and the crown have separate lifespans. The crown may need repair or replacement after ten to fifteen years or earlier if you grind your teeth, while the implant can last much longer with good hygiene. No clinic can honestly give a fixed number of years; ask what the repair and remake policy is and for how long it applies.
Gum health decides most long-term outcomes. Implants can develop peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, inflammation and bone loss around the fixture, mainly from plaque, smoking and poorly cleanable crown shapes. Cleaning with interdental brushes and regular hygiene visits is part of the treatment, not an extra.
Implant supported metal ceramic crown cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany
The figures are approximate ranges for the crown on an existing implant, not hospital quotes, and they do not include the implant itself or the abutment unless stated. Each hospital confirms its own price in a written quote.
| Country | Approximate cost per crown |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €250 – €650 |
| United Kingdom | €800 – €1,700 |
| United States | €1,000 – €2,800 |
| Germany | €700 – €1,800 |
The price changes with the alloy (noble alloys cost more), whether the abutment is a stock or a custom-milled one, the laboratory, and whether a temporary crown is included. A written quote should say if the abutment, the screw, the try-in and any adjustment visits are in the price. Ask also whether the figure is per tooth or per unit of a bridge.
Who is a good candidate for an implant supported crown, and who should wait?
You are ready for the crown when the implant has fused with the bone (osseointegration), which usually takes three to six months in the lower jaw and often longer in the upper jaw or after a bone graft, and the gum around it is healthy. You should wait if the implant is still moving, if there is active gum infection, or if you smoke heavily and the surgeon has asked you to stop until the site heals. Heavy grinding (bruxism) is not a bar, but it means a night guard and a more conservative material choice.
If several neighbouring teeth are missing, the dentist may suggest linked crowns or a full-arch design such as all on 6 dental implants instead of one implant per tooth. For a single missing tooth near a sinus, the implant may first need a sinus lift.
The crown procedure step by step: how many visits?
The sequence is the same in most clinics. First the dentist checks the implant with an X-ray or CT scan and removes the healing cap. An impression or digital scan records the implant position. The laboratory casts the metal framework, builds up and fires the porcelain, and returns the crown for a try-in, usually after five to ten working days. At the fitting the dentist tightens the abutment and screw to the manufacturer's torque value, checks the bite and the contacts with neighbouring teeth, and seals or cements the crown. Local anaesthetic is rarely needed because an implant has no nerve in the tooth, though some people prefer it for the gum.
If your implant has already healed, a trip of about seven to ten days normally allows scan, try-in and fitting with a margin for corrections. If the implant is placed during the same trip, the crown is usually fitted on a second visit months later, or a temporary crown is used in the meantime. Our page on how it works explains how the coordinator plans the visits.
Recovery and what to expect after the crown is fitted
There is no surgical recovery, because the crown goes on a healed implant. The gum may feel tender for a day or two, and the bite can feel unusual until you adapt. Avoid very hard or sticky food for the first days, brush as normal and clean under the crown with an interdental brush or water flosser. See the dentist again if the crown feels high, if the screw loosens (a clicking or movement) or if the gum around it is red or bleeds. A follow-up check after a few weeks catches most bite problems early.
Metal ceramic crown before and after: what do the photographs show?
A good result is a crown that matches the neighbouring teeth in shape and shade and a gum line that looks natural. Front-tooth photographs show most differences: a metal ceramic crown on a thin gum can show a darker line at the margin, while a gum that has receded can expose the metal collar. Photographs do not show how well the bite is balanced or how clean the margin is, which are what decide how long the crown lasts. For front teeth, ask to see examples of the clinic's own implant crowns in the same area as yours.
What can go wrong with an implant supported metal ceramic crown?
The most frequent problems are chipped porcelain, a loose abutment screw, food trapping between the crown and the next tooth, and inflammation of the gum around the implant. Less often the framework fractures, the cement causes gum disease, or the implant itself fails. The NHS and professional societies such as the British Society of Periodontology advise careful hygiene and regular checks to reduce the risk of peri-implant disease. Ask how the clinic handles a chipped crown, who repairs it once you are home, and whether replacement parts for your implant system are available in your country.
How to choose a clinic for your implant crown, and what to ask
Check that the dentist is registered in Turkey, that the clinic uses a recognised implant brand and records which one, and that you receive a written plan with the crown material, the alloy and the price before you pay a deposit. Red flags include no implant record card, quotes that do not name the material, pressure to book quickly, and promises that a crown will last for life. Useful questions:
- Which implant system is this, and will you give me the brand, size and abutment details in writing?
- Is the crown screw-retained or cemented, and why?
- Which alloy is under the porcelain, and is it nickel-free?
- What is covered if the porcelain chips or the screw loosens, and for how long?
- Can a local dentist at home service this implant system?
You can request a plan and price through our free quote page; the clinic reviews your X-rays and replies in writing.
Hospitals with Dental Treatments in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
It is a crown for a dental implant made of a metal framework covered with fired porcelain. It is attached to an abutment on the implant by a screw or by dental cement, and replaces the visible part of a missing tooth.
Approximate figures are €250 to €650 per crown in Turkey, against about €800 to €1,700 in the UK. These cover the crown only; the implant and sometimes the abutment are priced separately, so check the written quote.
Neither is right for everyone. Metal ceramic has a strong core and a long track record; zirconia is metal-free and does not show a dark margin. The dentist should explain the choice for your bite and tooth position.
Many last ten years or more, but the porcelain can chip and the screw can loosen. The crown and implant have separate lifespans, so ask about the repair and remake policy and keep up regular hygiene visits.
Yes, it can, especially on a thin gum or if the gum recedes and exposes the metal edge. For visible front teeth many dentists prefer zirconia or all-ceramic crowns to avoid this.
Fitting is usually comfortable and often needs little or no anaesthetic, because an implant has no nerve in the tooth. The gum may be tender for a day or two and the bite takes a few days to feel normal.
If the implant has already healed, about seven to ten days normally covers the scan, the try-in and the fitting. If the implant is placed on the same trip, the crown is usually fitted months later on a second visit.
A screw-retained crown can be removed for repair or cleaning without damage. A cemented crown has no access hole but leftover cement can inflame the gum, so the choice depends on the implant angle and position.
Common problems are chipped porcelain, a loose screw, food trapping and gum inflammation around the implant. Rarely the metal framework fractures or the implant fails. Good cleaning and regular checks lower the risk.
Often yes, if the implant brand is known and parts are available. Bring the implant record card and X-rays; the clinic needs the brand and size to order the correct abutment before treatment.