Zirconia
Visible teeth and molars
- Contains metal
- No
- Appearance
- Translucent, close to enamel
- Resistance to bite force
- High
- Gray line at the gum
- Does not appear
Restorative dentistry · El Poblado, Medellín
Zirconia, lithium disilicate
or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns
A crown covers a badly damaged, root-canal-treated or fractured tooth and gives back its shape and strength. The material it is made of decides how close it looks to a natural tooth.
In-person consultation in El Poblado
Virtual pre-consultation if you are traveling from abroad
Torre Médica Oviedo · El Poblado, Medellín
How the procedure works
Preparation, temporary crown and cementation, with one team in El Poblado
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First we check what will hold the crown
An X-ray shows the condition of the root and the bone: a crown on a tooth that cannot support it fails within months.
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The material is chosen per tooth
A front tooth, where looks come first, is not the same as a molar carrying the full force of your bite.
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You never leave without a tooth
While the laboratory makes the definitive crown you wear a temporary one, which protects the prepared tooth and keeps your smile.
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In El Poblado, Torre Médica Oviedo
We work inside a medical building with imaging equipment and sterilization on site.
Dental crowns in Medellín
A crown is indicated when repairing the tooth is no longer enough and it has to be covered entirely so it can take the bite. What it aims for: to give the tooth back its shape and strength, protect the remaining structure and restore the look of a healthy tooth. The final indication depends on the X-ray. It is usually considered in cases like these:
- You had a root canal and the tooth is now brittle.
- You have a very large filling that has already cracked or is leaking.
- A significant piece of a tooth broke off.
- You have old crowns with a dark margin or a receding gum.
- You had an implant placed and the tooth on top is still missing.
The material decides the result
What changes from one crown to another depending on the material
Every crown covers the tooth, but they do not behave the same. Zirconia is today's material for combining strength with a natural look; porcelain-fused-to-metal holds up well but can leave a gray line at the gum over the years.
At Clínica Be Dharma the material is decided with you, with the advantages and the limits of each one on the table, not by default.
- Zirconia: metal-free, translucent and strong. The usual choice for visible teeth.
- Lithium disilicate: the most lifelike, mainly indicated for front teeth.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal: strong and lower in cost, with the cosmetic limit of the metal margin.
- Crown on an implant: same logic, screwed or cemented onto the implant.
Which material suits you depends on which tooth it is, how much bite force it takes and how much it matters that it goes unnoticed. That is decided at the consultation, not from a catalogue.
Book a consultation
How we work on restorative dentistry at Clínica Be Dharma.
How a crown is made, step by step
1. Consultation and X-ray
We check the condition of the root, the bone and the gum. If the tooth needs a root canal or gum treatment, that comes before the crown.
2. Choosing material and shade
We decide between zirconia, lithium disilicate or porcelain-fused-to-metal based on the tooth, the force it takes and how demanding the esthetics are, and record the shade of the neighboring teeth.
3. Preparation and impression
Under local anesthesia the tooth is reduced just enough to house the crown, and we take the impression or scan the laboratory will work from.
4. Temporary crown
You leave with a temporary crown that protects the prepared tooth, keeps your smile and lets you eat while the definitive one is made.
5. Try-in, cementation and adjustment
We check fit, shade and contact with the neighboring teeth. Then it is cemented and the bite adjusted, so the crown takes no more load than it should.
All three cover the whole tooth. The difference is how they look in the light, how much force they take and what happens at the gum line over the years.
Zirconia, lithium disilicate or porcelain-fused-to-metal: how they differ
Lithium disilicate
Mainly front teeth
- Contains metal
- No
- Appearance
- The most lifelike of the three
- Resistance to bite force
- Medium: not the first choice for molars
- Gray line at the gum
- Does not appear
Porcelain-fused-to-metal
Molars that are not visible
- Contains metal
- Yes, a metal substructure
- Appearance
- Opaque, light does not pass through
- Resistance to bite force
- High
- Gray line at the gum
- Can appear if the gum recedes
How much a dental crown costs
The price of a crown depends above all on the material and on what has to be done before placing it. It is confirmed at the consultation, with the X-ray in front of us, and given to you in writing.
The material
Zirconia, lithium disilicate or porcelain-fused-to-metal.
What is needed first
A root canal, a post or gum treatment.
What the crown sits on
A prepared tooth or an implant.
How many teeth
Those included in the same plan.
Whether an old crown must come off
And the condition of what is underneath.
At the consultation we explain what changes between one material and another for your particular case.
Specialists in crowns and restorative dentistry
Dr. Jorge Mejía Correa
General dentist · Lic. 5-4513-08
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Dra. Marcela Jiménez
Periodontist
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Dr. David Delgado
Medical director
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Dental crowns for patients traveling from abroad
Get your case reviewed before you fly to Medellín
Traveling from another city or country? We start with a virtual pre-consultation to assess your case before you travel. We review your photos and any imaging you have, and explain which options could apply.
From there we give you an approximate investment range and set the dates, so the time you spend in Medellín goes into treatment and not into logistics.
Be Dharma at Torre Médica Oviedo We are in El Poblado, a central area of Medellín that is easy to reach for visitors.
How we work remotely
Four steps to understand your case and plan the trip with clear dates.
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01
You send your details
You fill in the form with your city or country, which teeth you want restored and the dates you could travel.
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02
Virtual pre-consultation
We talk through your expectations and medical history and review the photos, CBCT scan and panoramic X-ray you have at hand.
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03
Guidance and approximate figure
We outline a preliminary option, the phases of treatment and an initial investment range so you can arrange flights and accommodation.
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04
In-person consultation in Medellín
At the clinic we carry out the clinical examination, confirm the plan and set the final price in writing.
A note on pricing
The figure given at the pre-consultation is preliminary and is not a firm quote. It can change after the in-person consultation, depending on the condition of your bone, how many teeth need treatment, the material chosen and any additional procedures required, such as a bone graft.
Flights
Compare fares by departure city, dates and season.
Accommodation
We advise on places to stay near El Poblado and how many nights to plan for.
Follow-up
We coordinate check-ups and aftercare once you are back home.
Questions
Frequently asked questions about dental crowns
Which is better: zirconia or porcelain-fused-to-metal?
It depends on the tooth. Zirconia has no metal, lets some light through and therefore looks more natural on visible teeth; it also avoids the gray line at the gum. Porcelain-fused-to-metal is strong and costs less, and remains reasonable on molars that do not show. The decision is made tooth by tooth.
How long does a dental crown last?
It depends on hygiene, on your bite and on the condition of the tooth holding it. What usually fails is not the crown but what is underneath: decay at the margin or gum disease. With regular check-ups and good hygiene they last many years; it would not be correct to promise they are permanent.
Does the preparation hurt?
It is done under local anesthesia. Afterwards you may feel sensitivity for a few days, especially if the tooth still has its nerve.
What are the risks, and when is it not advisable?
Preparing a tooth is irreversible: enamel is removed and does not grow back. Sensitivity can appear and, in some cases, the tooth ends up needing a root canal. If the root is fractured or the supporting bone is compromised, a crown is not the answer and extraction has to be considered. All of this is reviewed beforehand, with the X-ray.
How long will I be without a tooth?
Not at all. From the preparation appointment you wear a temporary crown until the definitive one is ready.
Can a crown be whitened?
No. Crown materials do not change color with whitening. So if you are planning to whiten your teeth, do it first and choose the crown shade afterwards.
What aftercare is needed?
Brushing, floss at the crown margin and regular check-ups. If you clench at night, a night guard protects the crown.
Contact
Book a consultation and choose the material with the facts in front of you
We explain which crown suits your case, what has to be done first and what each option includes.
Torre Médica Oviedo · Calle 6 Sur #43A-227, floor 7, suite 776 · El Poblado, Medellín. Monday to Friday 8:00–17:00 and Saturday 8:00–12:00.