Real cases from our clinic
Patients of Dr Haim Aseriel, photographed at the clinic and shared with their consent. Drag the line across the photo to compare.
Zirconia crowns
- Real patients of the clinic
- Published with patient consent
- Every result is individual
What is a dental crown? When do you need a tooth crown?
A dental crown (sometimes called a "cap") is a full cover placed over a natural tooth to restore its shape, function and strength.
The anatomy of a tooth explains why a tooth that has lost a lot of structure cannot hold a filling for long. A crown is usually recommended after root canal treatment, after a significant fracture, for advanced tooth decay, and whenever more than half of the tooth is missing. In practice, a molar that has had root canal treatment and did not receive a crown remains more vulnerable to future fractures. For smaller defects, a filling or an inlay or onlay may be enough: see our overview of dental restoration. At Dr Haim Aseriel's clinic in Jerusalem, crowns are made mainly from zirconia and E.max (lithium disilicate) ceramics, with a conservative approach that preserves as much natural tooth structure as possible.
Types of dental crowns
The crown material directly affects appearance, strength and how long the restoration lasts. There are several main types of crowns for teeth, each suited to different situations.
- Zirconia crowns: high strength and a natural look, without metal.
- E.max crowns: lithium disilicate ceramic with natural translucency, especially suited to front teeth.
- Porcelain crowns: including the classic porcelain-fused-to-metal crown.
- Front teeth crowns: require careful matching of shade and translucency for a natural result.
Comparing types of crowns: material, position and survival
| Crown | Material | Mainly used for | Appearance | 5-year survival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain-fused-to-metal | Metal core covered with porcelain | Back teeth and heavy bites | Good; the metal core is opaque, and a dark line may show at the gum edge | About 94.7% |
| Zirconia | Metal-free ceramic (zirconium oxide) | Back teeth and chewing loads | Natural look, no metal | About 92.1% |
| E.max | Metal-free ceramic (lithium disilicate) | Front teeth (front teeth crowns) | Natural translucency, close to a real tooth | About 96.6% |
Survival figures come from a systematic review of single crowns (Sailer et al., Dental Materials, 2015); for zirconia they mainly concern veneered zirconia.
Crowns on baby teeth: crowns are used in children too. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), a preformed stainless steel crown is recommended for children at high risk of cavities who have large or multi-surface cavities in their baby molars, and it is also used after nerve treatment of a baby tooth (AAPD, Restorative Dentistry, 2022). Read more on the pediatric dentist page.
Zirconia and E.max crowns look natural without metal, and most all-ceramic crowns have survival rates similar to porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. However, on back teeth, zirconia crowns showed more technical complications, such as chipping of the veneering porcelain and loss of retention (Sailer et al., 2015).
How do you choose the right type of dental crown?
The right crown depends on the position of the tooth, how much healthy tooth structure remains and the patient's aesthetic expectations.
In practice, a back molar usually needs a crown that withstands chewing forces, such as zirconia, while a front tooth that shows when you smile usually suits an E.max crown because of its natural translucency. Dr Haim Aseriel carries out a full assessment, with a clinical examination and X-rays, before recommending anything. When a wider full mouth rehabilitation is needed, a coordinated treatment plan is built, including root canal treatment where required.
Benefits of a dental crown
In a study of 220 root-canal-treated molars that did not receive a crown, the 5-year survival rate was only 36%; it rose to 78% when a lot of tooth structure remained (Nagasiri & Chitmongkolsuk, Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 2005).
This figure shows why crowns matter clinically. In practical terms, a crown restores chewing, prevents the neighboring teeth from drifting, and protects the inner structure of the tooth from fractures and stress.
36%
5-year survival of root-canal-treated molars without a crown
With crowns on front teeth, a crown also restores a natural appearance and confidence when smiling.
A crown keeps the natural tooth in the mouth, which fits the clinic's conservative approach. When a tooth is missing, other options such as a dental bridge or a dental implant are discussed instead.
Temporary crown vs permanent crown
Between the preparation visit and the placement of the final crown, the tooth is protected by a temporary crown, which keeps its shape and function.
An 8-year retrospective study found that teeth that received their final restoration (a crown or another restoration) 60 days or more after root canal treatment were 73% more likely to be extracted than teeth restored within 14 days (Sadaf, Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, 2020).
This is why the final restoration should not be postponed: a temporary crown is not a long-term solution. A temporary crown is made of simpler materials meant to last weeks to a few months, whereas the permanent crown is made in the clinic's own dental lab from precise materials, based on a digital scan of the tooth. The dentist tells each patient how long the temporary crown can safely stay in place and schedules the next steps accordingly.
Examination, treatment plan and price quote
detailed and personalized
During the consultation, Dr Haim Aseriel examines your teeth, explains all the options and gives you a transparent price quote, with no obligation. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street, Jerusalem.
The dental crown procedure, step by step
The dental crown procedure usually has three main steps: preparing the tooth, taking an impression so the crown can be made, and cementing the final crown.
Preparing the tooth
Under local anesthesia, the dentist shapes the tooth to create a stable base for the crown.
Impression and fabrication
At the clinic, the tooth is recorded with an intraoral digital scanner (Shining 3D Aoralscan 3), with no impression paste, and the crown is designed and milled in the clinic's own dental lab with CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and milling).
Cementing the final crown
After the fit, shade and bite are checked, the crown is permanently cemented. Because the lab is on site, same-day crowns are possible when the case allows.
A study of 47,474 crowns placed over 11 years in the public dental service in England and Wales (Burke & Lucarotti, Journal of Dentistry, 2009) found that how long a crown lasted was influenced by the type of crown, the patient's age, how regularly the patient saw a dentist, and whether root canal treatment was done in the same course of treatment.
What decides which crown is right for you?
Who decides which dental crown is right in the end: the dentist, the patient or the technology?
Choosing the right crown takes a clinical examination, X-rays and an open conversation with the patient.
At the consultation, three main factors are reviewed: the position of the tooth, how much healthy tooth structure remains, and what you expect in terms of appearance and function. When there are several options, each one is presented with its pros and cons. If the infection risk under an existing crown is your concern, read about infection under a crown.
How much does a dental crown cost?
The price of a dental crown depends on the type of crown, the specific condition of the tooth and any treatment needed first, such as a root canal.
The clinic does not publish fixed prices, because every treatment plan is individual. After a thorough examination, each patient receives a detailed written estimate, and itemized receipts that you can submit to your insurer (coverage depends on your policy).
Make sure the estimate lists every part of the treatment: any preliminary treatment (such as a root canal or a core build-up), tooth preparation, the temporary crown, lab work and cementation of the final crown.
How long does a dental crown last? Caring for crowns on teeth
According to a systematic review, about 92% to 97% of crowns survive 5 years, depending on the material (Sailer et al., Dental Materials, 2015).
After the crown is placed, expect a short adjustment period of a few days, with possible mild sensitivity. Over time, caring for a crown means:
- Daily brushing and flossing: floss around the base of the crown to prevent decay at the margin.
- Regular check-ups: as often as your dentist advises based on your individual risk (for many people, every six months), to catch cracks or loosening early.
- Avoiding hard foods: nuts, ice and sticky candy can damage a crown.
- Healthy gums: healthy gums are essential for a crown to last.
In practice, a crown that is kept clean and checked regularly can serve for many years. If you grind your teeth, ask about a night guard to protect your crowns.
Dental crowns: the bottom line
Crowns are a long-term restoration that requires careful planning, quality materials and precise work.
A dental crown is not just cosmetic: it helps keep a natural tooth in the mouth. Treating a damaged tooth early, before the damage spreads, usually reduces both the cost and the complexity of treatment. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street in Talpiot, south Jerusalem, open Sun 8:00–19:00 · Mon 9:00–19:00 · Tue–Wed 9:00–21:00 · Thu 8:30–21:00 · Fri 8:00–14:00. You can read what patients say on our reviews page, then book a consultation to build a treatment plan together.
Dental crowns: frequently asked questions
A dental crown is a full cover placed over a natural tooth to restore its shape, function and strength. A crown is usually recommended after root canal treatment, after a significant fracture, for advanced decay, and whenever more than half of the tooth structure is missing.
The main types of dental crowns are zirconia crowns, lithium disilicate crowns such as E.max, and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. The choice depends on the position of the tooth, how much healthy tooth structure remains and the patient's aesthetic needs: a back molar usually needs a crown that withstands chewing forces, such as zirconia or porcelain fused to metal, while a front tooth usually suits a translucent ceramic crown such as E.max.
A dental crown usually lasts many years. According to a systematic review, the 5-year survival rate is about 95% for porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, about 97% for lithium disilicate or leucite crowns (such as E.max) and about 92% for zirconia crowns. How long a crown lasts also depends on oral hygiene, regular check-ups and teeth grinding.
The cost of a dental crown depends on the type of crown, the condition of the tooth and any treatment needed first, such as a root canal or a core build-up. The price is set only after an examination; ask for a written estimate that lists what is included: tooth preparation, temporary crown, lab work and cementation of the final crown.
The dental crown procedure usually has three main steps: the tooth is prepared (shaped) under local anesthesia, an impression or digital scan is taken so the crown can be made by a dental lab, and the final crown is checked for fit, shade and bite before being permanently cemented. A temporary crown protects the tooth in between.
Sources
- Sailer I et al., Dental Materials, 2015 – Link to study
- Nagasiri R & Chitmongkolsuk S, Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 2005 – Link to study
- Sadaf D, Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, 2020 – Link to study
- Burke FJ & Lucarotti PS, Journal of Dentistry, 2009 – Link to study
- Fee PA et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020 – Link to study
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Best Practices: Restorative Dentistry, 2022 – View source
