What is a metal dental crown?
A metal dental crown is a cap made entirely of dental alloy, with no porcelain layer, that is cemented over a damaged tooth to restore its shape and strength. Because the whole crown is metal, it can be made very thin, withstands heavy chewing and rarely chips or breaks. The price of that strength is appearance: the crown is silver or yellow in colour, so dentists generally recommend it only for molars and other back teeth that are hidden when you smile. This guide explains the alloys used, how the crown is made, how it compares with other crown types, what it costs in Turkey against the UK, US and Germany, and the risks. If you are weighing a porcelain-covered crown instead, the section on alternatives below will help.
Which alloys are used in a metal crown?
Not all metal crowns are the same. High-noble alloys contain a large share of gold, platinum or palladium, resist corrosion and are gentle on the opposing tooth; our page on gold crowns covers them. Noble and palladium-based alloys are a lower-cost middle group. Base-metal alloys, such as nickel-chromium and cobalt-chromium, are harder, less costly and widely used in budget crowns. The type of alloy affects price, wear on the opposing teeth and the risk of allergy, because nickel is a common contact allergen. Ask the dentist which alloy is quoted: a price per crown means little without it.
Why do dentists still use full metal crowns on molars?
Because the preparation is the gentlest of any crown. A full metal crown needs only about 0.5 to 1 mm of tooth removed, compared with about 1.5 to 2 mm for porcelain, so more of your natural tooth survives. The metal is strong enough to resist fracture in people who grind or clench, it fits closely at the gum margin and it wears the opposing tooth at about the same rate as natural enamel. It is also quick to make, with no layering and firing of porcelain. For a lower back molar under heavy load, where nobody sees the crown, many dentists consider it a practical choice, which is why it remains in use despite the popularity of tooth-coloured materials.
How long does a metal crown last?
Metal crowns are among the longest-lasting dental restorations. Many studies report survival of fifteen years or more, and high-gold crowns can last decades. They fail mainly through decay at the edge, cement loss, gum disease or a fracture of the tooth underneath rather than breakage of the crown itself. Cleaning around the edge, flossing and attending check-ups keep that risk low. A root-treated tooth is more likely to split, so read our guide to root canal treatment if the tooth has had one.
Metal, metal-ceramic or zirconia: which crown fits which tooth?
The three options trade strength against appearance. Full metal is the most conservative and durable; metal-ceramic has a metal core with porcelain on the visible side; zirconia is metal-free and can look very natural. For the tooth-coloured choice see our page on zirconia crowns.
| Crown type | Suits | Typical limits |
|---|---|---|
| Full metal | Back molars, heavy bite, grinders, limited space | Metallic colour; possible metal allergy |
| Metal-ceramic | Premolars, visible teeth, bridge supports | More tooth removed; porcelain can chip |
| Zirconia | Front teeth, metal-free requirement | Higher cost; more tooth removed |
How much does a metal dental crown cost in Turkey?
These figures are approximate ranges per crown, not hospital quotes. The alloy is the main variable, since gold-rich crowns cost much more than base-metal ones.
| Country | Approximate cost per crown |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €90 – €400 (gold alloys higher) |
| United Kingdom | €400 – €1,300 |
| United States | €700 – €2,000 |
| Germany | €400 – €1,300 |
Besides the alloy, the price depends on whether the tooth needs a filling build-up or a root canal first, the laboratory and whether the quote includes a temporary crown and X-rays. In Germany and the UK, public schemes cover some crown types on back teeth, so check what you would pay at home. Ask for the alloy, the number of crowns and each extra to be written on the quote.
What happens at each visit?
At the first visit the dentist numbs the tooth, removes decay or an old filling, shapes the tooth and takes an impression or a scan; a temporary crown protects the tooth for about a week. The laboratory casts the alloy crown, which usually takes three to six days. At the second visit the temporary is removed, the metal crown is tried, the bite is checked with marking paper and the crown is cemented. If the tooth is badly broken, the dentist may need to build it up with a filling or place a post first, which adds time.
Recovery, discomfort and the trip to Turkey
You will feel pressure but not pain during the procedure. When the anaesthetic wears off, tenderness and sensitivity to hot and cold are normal for a few days, and metal conducts temperature more readily than porcelain, so cold drinks may feel sharp at first. This usually fades. A high spot on the bite should be adjusted promptly. Most people eat normally the next day, apart from sticky food in the first 24 hours while the cement sets. For one or two crowns, plan three to five days in Turkey; longer if root canal or extraction is included.
Who should avoid a metal crown?
People with a known allergy to nickel, cobalt or palladium should tell the dentist, because a metal-free crown may suit them better. A metal crown is also a poor match for a front tooth in a visible smile, and for anyone who dislikes the appearance. Rarely, people notice a metallic taste or gum irritation. If you already have different metals in the mouth, the dentist may suggest staying with similar alloys to avoid a galvanic effect, though evidence of harm from this is limited. Concerns about mercury relate to amalgam fillings, not to crown alloys.
Risks of a metal dental crown
The main risks are decay at the crown edge, gum inflammation, sensitivity, cement failure, a crown that feels high, loosening and, in some cases, the need for a root canal if the nerve of the prepared tooth is damaged. Dental bodies such as the NHS and the American Dental Association describe these as general risks of any crown. Regular examinations and careful cleaning reduce them, and an early review prevents a loose crown from letting decay start beneath it.
Looking after a metal crown at home
Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, paying attention to the line where the crown meets the gum, and floss by pulling the thread out sideways rather than snapping it upwards, which can loosen a new crown. If you grind your teeth at night, ask about a hard night guard; it protects both the metal and the opposing tooth. Book a dental check and X-ray about once a year, and report any change in the bite, a gap at the edge or a rough feeling with the tongue, since these are the earliest signs of a problem.
How to choose a dentist and red flags
Look for a licensed dentist who takes an X-ray, examines the bite and explains why a crown is needed, and who names the alloy and the laboratory in a written plan. Red flags include a quote without an alloy name, crowns recommended on several healthy teeth, no temporary crown, pressure to book immediately and no explanation of the guarantee. Read how our process works and use the free quote page to receive a plan. If a tooth is missing as well, our guide to dental bridge installation explains that option, and the hub lists all dental treatments in Turkey.
Questions to ask the clinic before you book
- Which alloy is the crown made of, and does it contain nickel?
- Why is a full crown needed rather than a filling or an onlay?
- Does the price include the temporary crown, X-rays and any build-up?
- How long is the crown guaranteed, and what does the guarantee cover?
- Where is the crown made, and how long does it take?
- What if the crown feels high or comes loose after I return home?
Hospitals with Dental Treatments in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
It is a tooth cap made entirely of dental alloy, with no porcelain, cemented over a damaged tooth. It is strong and thin, and normally used on molars because the metal colour shows.
Many last fifteen years or more, and high-gold crowns can last even longer. They fail mainly through decay at the edge, cement loss or gum disease, so cleaning around the crown and check-ups matter.
As an approximate guide, about €90 to €400 per crown in Turkey depending on the alloy, compared with about €400 to €1,300 in the UK. Gold-rich alloys cost more; ask which alloy is quoted.
A metal crown is solid alloy, while a metal ceramic crown has a metal core covered with porcelain. The solid metal needs less tooth removed and is tougher, but it is more visible.
They are widely used and have a long record of safety. The main concern is allergy to metals such as nickel, which is uncommon. Tell the dentist about any metal allergy before the crown is made.
The tooth is numbed, so the procedure is not painful. Tenderness and sensitivity to hot and cold can last a few days afterwards, and simple painkillers usually deal with it.
For a back tooth under heavy chewing it removes less tooth, rarely fractures and is hidden in the smile. Porcelain or zirconia is usually preferred for visible teeth where appearance matters more.
For one or two crowns, three to five days is usual because the laboratory needs a few days between the preparation and the fitting. A root canal or build-up may add time.
Occasionally. Some people notice a metallic taste or gum irritation, and nickel allergy can cause a reaction. If this happens, a metal-free crown can replace it.
Yes, from the next day. Avoid sticky food for the first 24 hours while the cement sets, and avoid biting very hard objects such as ice or unpopped corn, which can crack the tooth beneath.