A zirconia crowns trip, day by day
Most crown treatments at our clinic fit into one trip of about 5 to 7 days. Here is how that week usually runs, from landing in Antalya to flying home with your new teeth.
Medically reviewed by Dt. Hüseyin Yavuz Özbek, implant surgeon · Updated October 2026A crowns trip at our Turkey dental clinic usually takes about 5 to 7 days. Day one is an exam, X-rays and a 3D scan, with your final plan and price confirmed in writing; the teeth are then prepared and scanned and you wear temporary crowns while the crowns are made. After a try-in, the final crowns are fitted and checked before you fly home with written aftercare.
If you are thinking about crowns at a Turkey dental clinic, the most practical question is often not about the crowns at all. It is: what will the week actually look like? How many appointments, how long in the chair, and how much time to rest or see Antalya? This article walks through a typical crowns trip day by day at our clinic in central Antalya. Every case is a little different, and your own written plan will give your exact appointments, but the shape of the week is usually the same.
Before you travel
The trip starts at home. You send us a recent X-ray, or a few clear photos of your teeth, through our contact form or WhatsApp. One of our dentists reviews them and sends a preliminary written plan with an itemised price. You do not pay anything to receive it.
The plan tells you roughly how many crowns you need, which material is suggested and how many days to allow. For zirconia crowns that is usually one trip of about 5 to 7 days. Our zirconia crowns are £150 per tooth, and our 24-tooth zirconia package (£3,600) includes 5 hotel nights. Book your flights once you are happy with the plan. Flights are not included; airport and clinic transfers are.
It helps to tell us at this stage about your health, your medicines and any worries about treatment. If you are nervous, say so. Sedation given by an anaesthetist can be arranged on request.
Day 0: arrival
Antalya Airport is about 20 minutes from our clinic in Muratpaşa. You are met at the airport and taken to your hotel. There is no treatment on arrival day. Rest, eat well and drink plenty of water, especially after an early flight.
Day 1: exam, scan and your final plan
This is the most important day of the trip, even though very little is done to your teeth.
- Full examination of your teeth, gums and existing fillings, crowns or bridges.
- X-rays and a 3D CBCT scan, which show the roots, the bone and any decay or infection hidden under old work.
- Intraoral scan, a digital record of your teeth and bite.
- Shade and shape discussion. For cosmetic cases, digital smile design and a trial smile (mock-up) let you see the planned result on your own face first.
- Your final plan in writing, with the confirmed price. If the scan shows something the X-ray did not, such as a tooth that needs root canal treatment, the dentist explains it and the plan is updated before anything starts.
You agree to the plan before treatment begins. Fees are paid at the clinic against the plan you approved.
Day 2: preparing the teeth
This is usually the longest appointment of the week. Under local anaesthetic, the dentist reshapes each tooth that will receive a crown, removing a thin layer so the crown fits over it without looking bulky. Any old crowns or failing fillings are removed and the teeth underneath are checked and repaired.
When the teeth are ready they are scanned with the intraoral scanner, and the scan goes to the dental laboratory where the crowns are designed and milled. Before you leave, temporary crowns are fitted to protect the teeth and keep you looking normal. The Oral Health Foundation notes that a temporary crown is usually worn while the permanent crown is being made, and that is the same here.
Expect your teeth to feel a little odd and possibly sensitive for a day or two. Take the painkillers the dentist suggests if you need them.
The work on day 2 cannot be undone, which is why day 1 is spent making sure the plan is right. Ask every question you have before treatment starts.
Day 3: a quieter day
While the laboratory works, you often have no appointment, or only a short check. This is a good day to rest, walk by the sea or see the old town. Eat soft food and chew gently on the temporaries. Avoid very sticky sweets and hard nuts. If a temporary crown comes loose, message our coordinators and it will be re-cemented.
Day 4: try-in
The crowns are tried on your teeth before they are fixed. The dentist checks:
- Fit Each crown should seat fully, with a smooth edge at the gum.
- Bite You bite and grind gently on marking paper so high spots can be adjusted.
- Colour and shape You look in the mirror in daylight and say what you think. This is the time to speak up.
- Speech and comfort Front-tooth crowns can affect certain sounds slightly; you try a few words.
Small changes are made at this stage. If something needs remaking, it is better to find it now than at fitting.
Day 5: fitting
The temporaries come off, the teeth are cleaned and the final crowns are cemented in place. The dentist removes any excess cement, checks the bite again and polishes any adjusted areas. Most people are surprised how quickly the new teeth feel like their own.
You receive written aftercare instructions and, if useful, copies of your X-rays and scans. Your crowns are covered by our written 5-year guarantee, provided you keep up hygiene and check-ups at home and wear a night guard if you grind your teeth. The full terms are on our guarantee page.
Day 6 and 7: final check and home
Where the schedule allows, a short check a day or so after fitting lets the dentist see how the bite feels after a few meals. Then you are taken back to the airport. Try to book a flight that leaves a little slack in the schedule, so a small adjustment never has to be rushed. If you have a longer stay planned, or more treatment, your plan will show it.
How the week can change
| Situation | Effect on the trip |
|---|---|
| A few crowns, healthy teeth | Usually 5 to 6 days |
| A full set of upper and lower crowns | Usually 6 to 7 days, with longer appointments |
| A tooth needs root canal treatment first | May add a day or two |
| Gum disease needs treating first | Sometimes better done before the crowns trip |
| Missing teeth to be replaced with implants | Implants need two trips, 3 to 6 months apart |
Looking after new crowns at home
Crowns cannot decay, but the tooth underneath can, particularly at the edge where crown meets tooth. A large review of single crowns in Dental Materials estimated five-year survival of around 95% for metal-ceramic crowns and for most types of all-ceramic crown. Many of the zirconia crowns in that review had a layer of porcelain baked on top, which could chip; the solid (monolithic) zirconia widely used today has no separate layer to chip. Whatever the material, the tooth and gum underneath still need looking after. The NHS advises brushing for about two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between the teeth. Keep seeing your own dentist and hygienist regularly. If anything feels wrong after you get home, message us on WhatsApp.
What to pack
- Your passport, and a list of your medicines.
- Any recent X-rays or dental records you have.
- A soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Comfortable clothes and a light jacket for air-conditioned rooms.
- Travel insurance details.
If you would like your own day-by-day plan, send us a recent X-ray or photos through our contact page or on WhatsApp. One of our dentists will review them and send a written plan with an itemised price and the number of days to allow. You can read more on our zirconia crowns page and on how it works.
Common questions
How many days do I need for crowns in Turkey?
Most crown and veneer cases need about 5 to 7 days. Our zirconia package includes 5 hotel nights. Larger cases or extra treatment, such as root canals, may add days; your written plan tells you before you book flights.
Will I be in the dentist's chair all day?
No. The longest appointment is usually the day the teeth are prepared. Other visits are shorter, and there are days with no appointment at all while the laboratory makes your crowns.
Does preparing teeth for crowns hurt?
The teeth are numbed with local anaesthetic, so you should feel pressure and vibration rather than pain. Teeth can be a little sensitive for a few days afterwards. Sedation given by an anaesthetist is available on request if you are anxious.
What do I eat while wearing temporary crowns?
Soft food is best. Avoid very sticky or hard food, such as toffee or nuts, and chew carefully. If a temporary comes loose, tell our coordinators and it will be re-cemented.
Is the hotel included?
Our zirconia package includes 5 hotel nights, and airport and clinic transfers are included. Flights are not included. See how it works and prices.
Sources
- Oral Health Foundation: Crowns
- Sailer et al. (2015), Dental Materials: All-ceramic or metal-ceramic tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses? Part I: Single crowns
- NHS: How to keep your teeth clean
Checked October 2026. Where we give our own view as a clinic, we say so.
Get your treatment plan and price in writing
Send a few photos of your teeth or a recent X-ray. One of our dentists looks at it and you get an itemised plan before you book anything.