Full mouth crowns in Turkey: how a full set of teeth is planned

When people in the UK talk about getting a full set of teeth in Turkey, they usually mean a mouth full of zirconia crowns. It is a big decision, and a permanent one, so it deserves a clear explanation. At our Turkish dental clinic in Antalya, full mouth crowns are planned tooth by tooth: which teeth show when you smile, which are worn, broken or heavily filled, and which are healthy enough to leave alone. This page explains how that count is reached, what the 5-night trip involves, what can go wrong, and how to look after a full set for the long term.

Who full mouth crowns are for

A full set of crowns is a repair job as much as a cosmetic one. It suits people whose teeth have become a patchwork over the years.

• many old crowns and large fillings that no longer match, or are failing at the edges
• teeth worn short by grinding or acid erosion, with a collapsed or uneven bite
• several cracked or broken teeth spread around the mouth
• a mix of the above, where fixing one tooth at a time would never look consistent

It is not the right answer if your teeth are mostly healthy and you only want them whiter or straighter. In that case veneers, whitening or bonding remove far less tooth. It is also not right if many teeth have weak roots or advanced gum disease. Crowns need sound roots underneath, and when too many are failing, an implant plan such as full mouth implants can be the more honest choice.

16, 20, 24 or 28: why the count varies

An adult jaw has up to 14 teeth, not counting wisdom teeth, so 28 is every tooth top and bottom. Few people need all 28. The count comes from two questions: how far back do your teeth show when you smile, and how far back is the damage?

These are common patterns, not packages you have to pick from. Some people need 12 on top and 8 on the bottom. Some need crowns on the front and only fillings at the back. If a tooth is healthy, we will say so, even if it means a smaller plan. Each crown appears on your written plan with a reason, so you can question any of them.

When the bite has collapsed from wear, the count often has to go further back. Raising the height of the front teeth alone would leave the back teeth out of contact, so the bite is rebuilt across both sides together.

Why zirconia for a full set

We make full sets in zirconia, a strong metal-free ceramic milled from a digital scan. It suits back teeth that take heavy chewing loads, has no metal edge to show at the gum, and resists staining. Porcelain fused to metal is generally not used at our clinic now. For one or two front teeth where translucency matters most, the dentist may suggest E-max crowns within the set. A large review of single crowns found zirconia and other all-ceramic crowns performed well over five years, with chipping of layered ceramic among the more common problems. That is one reason solid zirconia is preferred where the bite is heavy.

Root canals: sometimes part of the plan

Teeth that need crowns are often teeth that have already had a hard life. Deep decay, big fillings and cracks can reach or irritate the nerve. Before any crown is made, the dentist checks every root on X-ray and on the 3D scan at the clinic.

If a nerve is already infected or dying, it is treated with root canal treatment before the crown goes on, because a crown over an infected root is building on a weak base. Not everyone needs one, and many full sets need none. Occasionally a tooth that seemed fine reacts after preparation and needs treatment later. Root canal treatment is priced in your written plan. Any teeth that cannot be saved are removed free of charge.

The 5-night trip, step by step

1. X-ray or photos from home. Send a recent OPG or clear photos. A dentist replies with a written plan, crown by crown, with an itemised price.
2. Examination and 3D scan. Every tooth and root is checked. Urgent problems are treated first, and the final count is confirmed in writing.
3. Design and shade. The shape and shade are agreed with you in daylight. For the front teeth, the design can be checked in your mouth before preparation.
4. Preparation. Under local anaesthetic, the teeth are shaped and scanned. Temporary crowns protect them while the laboratory works.
5. Try-in. The crowns are tried on and the fit, bite and colour checked and adjusted.
6. Fitting. The crowns are cemented, the bite is balanced across both jaws and you receive written aftercare.

The zirconia package includes 5 hotel nights and airport and clinic transfers. Flights are not included. A full set is a lot of chair time, so expect several appointments, with some free time between them. More on the practical side is on your trip.

Risks and honest limits

• Permanent. A tooth prepared for a crown will always need a crown.
• Sensitivity and nerves. Teeth can be sensitive for some days. A small number may need root canal treatment later.
• A new bite takes time. If the bite has been raised, your jaw and speech need some days to adjust.
• Chips and wear. Zirconia can chip, and rough zirconia can wear opposing teeth, so polishing and bite checks matter.
• Future replacements. Crowns will need replacing one day, and a full set means more crowns to look after.

Long-term care of a full set

The crowns themselves do not decay, but the tooth underneath can, right at the edge where crown meets tooth. With a full mouth of crowns, that edge runs around every tooth. Brush twice a day along the gum line and use interdental brushes once a day. See a dentist and hygienist at home for regular check-ups, and send us your X-rays if anything changes.

If you grind or clench, wear the night guard every night. Grinding is often what wore the teeth down in the first place, and it will do the same to new crowns if left unchecked.

Price and guarantee

Crowns carry a 5-year written guarantee. Conditions apply, such as check-ups, good cleaning and a night guard for grinders, and they are in the written terms on our guarantee page. All figures are on prices.