It is natural to compare crowns to implants when you probably have a damaged or missing tooth. You want to know your options – but dental terminology can be confusing. I am Tom, a Melbourne-based technical expert with Turkish roots. I got my own All-on-6 implants in Turkey. Let me explain the difference between crowns and implants in plain English, so you can make the right decision for your situation.
The Short Answer
A crown is a cap that goes over an existing tooth. An implant replaces the entire tooth (root and all). Choose a crown if your natural tooth is damaged but the root is healthy. Choose an implant if your tooth is missing or the root is beyond saving. Implants are more expensive but last longer and prevent bone loss. Crowns are cheaper but may need replacement sooner. Basically, always think long-term when getting any dental work done for yourself.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that fits over your existing natural tooth. It is used when your tooth is cracked, weakened by a large filling, or has had a root canal. The crown covers the visible part of the tooth above the gum line, protecting it from further damage.
How it works: Your dentist shaves down your natural tooth, takes impressions, and bonds a custom-made crown on top. The natural root stays in place.
Materials: Porcelain, zirconia, porcelain-fused-to-metal, or gold.
Cost in UK: £600 – £1,500 per crown
Cost in Turkey: £150 – £300 per crown
Longevity: 5-15 years depending on material and oral hygiene
Pros: Cheaper than implant, faster treatment (2-3 visits), no surgery
Cons: Requires shaving down healthy tooth, does not prevent bone loss, may need replacement sooner
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant replaces the entire tooth – both the root and the crown. A titanium screw is surgically placed into your jawbone. Over 3-6 months, the screw fuses with your bone (osseointegration). Then a crown is attached on top.
How it works: Minor surgery to place the implant. Healing period of 3-6 months. Then attachment of the crown.
Materials: Titanium or zirconia implant screw, porcelain or zirconia crown.
Cost in UK: £2,500 – £4,500 per implant (including crown)
Cost in Turkey: £600 – £1,200 per implant (including crown)
Longevity: 20+ years or a lifetime for the implant screw; crown lasts 10-15 years
Pros: Preserves jawbone, no damage to adjacent teeth, longest-lasting solution, feels most like natural tooth
Cons: More expensive than crown, requires surgery, longer treatment time (3-6 months healing)
Crown vs Implant: Key Differences at a Glance
- What is replaced: Crown = visible tooth only | Implant = entire tooth (root + crown)
- Surgery required: Crown = No | Implant = Yes (minor surgery)
- Treatment time: Crown = 2-3 weeks | Implant = 3-6 months
- UK cost: Crown = £600-£1,500 | Implant = £2,500-£4,500
- Türkiye cost: Crown = £150-£300 | Implant = £600-£1,200
- Longevity: Crown = 5-15 years | Implant = 20+ years
- Bone preservation: Crown = No | Implant = Yes
- Adjacent teeth affected: Crown = Yes (shaved down) | Implant = No
Which One Is Right for Your Situation?
If you haven’t seen a local dentist as of yet, below are some considerations for you to think about:
Choose a Crown If:
- Your natural tooth root is healthy and strong
- The visible part of your tooth is damaged (crack, large cavity, or fracture)
- You have had a root canal and the tooth needs protection
- You want a faster, less expensive solution
- You do not want surgery
Choose an Implant If:
- Your tooth is missing entirely
- The natural tooth root is beyond saving (severe decay, vertical crack, or infection)
- You want the longest-lasting solution (20+ years)
- You want to prevent bone loss in your jaw
- You do not want to shave down healthy adjacent teeth
- You are willing to undergo minor surgery and wait 3-6 months for complete healing
What About a Bridge? (Third Option)
A dental bridge is another option for missing teeth. It uses crowns on the adjacent teeth to support a false tooth in the middle. Bridges are cheaper than implants but damage healthy teeth and do not prevent bone loss. I generally recommend implants over bridges unless budget is very tight or surgery is not possible.
- UK cost: £1,500 – £3,000 per bridge
- Turkey cost: £300 – £700 per bridge
- Longevity: 5-10 years
Can You Get Crowns or Implants in Turkey?
Yes, both are widely available and significantly cheaper than the UK. Turkish dentists use the same materials (porcelain, zirconia, titanium) and global brands (Straumann, Nobel Biocare, BEGO).
- Single crown in Turkey: £150 – £300 (vs £600-£1,500 in UK)
- Single implant in Turkey: £600 – £1,200 (vs £2,500-£4,500 in UK)
- Full mouth implants (All-on-4/All-on-6): £7,000 – £15,000 (vs £20,000-£38,000 in UK)
I specialise in guiding patients for full mouth implants (All-on-4 and All-on-6). For single crowns or single implants, you can find a good Turkish clinic – but I recommend booking a strategy session so I can advise you on which clinics prioritise natural aesthetics over volume.
My Personal Experience
I got All-on-6 implants for both arches. I chose implants because my natural teeth were beyond saving. The recovery was 3 days. I flew back to Melbourne without temporary teeth. I am going back for my final screws soon. I have never regretted choosing implants over crowns or bridges.
If you have healthy teeth that just need crowns, stay in the UK or find a reputable Turkish cosmetic dentist. If you are missing multiple teeth or your teeth are failing, implants are the better long-term investment.
Let Us Talk
I am Tom. I got my own All-on-6 implants in Turkey. I am based in Melbourne, but if you’re thinking about going to Turkey for treatment, I can be your local guide. I can be there waiting for you. I do not work for clinics. I work for you.
Book Your Private Strategy Session
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a crown or implant better for a back molar?
For a back molar (where chewing forces are strongest), an implant is generally better if the tooth is missing or the root is failing. Implants can withstand the high forces of chewing better than crowns on weakened teeth. However, if your natural root is healthy and the tooth just needs a crown, a crown is fine – and much cheaper. Get an X-ray to check the root health before deciding.
How long does a crown last compared to an implant?
A crown typically lasts 5-15 years depending on material, location in the mouth, and your oral hygiene. Porcelain crowns on back teeth wear faster. An implant screw (titanium) can last a lifetime – 20+ years easily. The crown on top of an implant lasts 10-15 years, similar to a crown on a natural tooth. The difference is that when an implant crown wears out, you replace just the crown. When a natural tooth crown fails, the tooth underneath may be damaged.
Can I get a crown instead of an implant to save money?
Only if your natural tooth root is healthy. A crown costs less upfront (£600-£1,500 in UK, £150-£300 in Turkey) than an implant (£2,500-£4,500 in UK, £600-£1,200 in Turkey). However, if your root is failing, a crown will not solve the problem – the tooth will eventually need extraction and an implant anyway. You end up paying twice. Always get an X-ray to check root health before deciding.
Do implants hurt more than crowns?
Implant placement involves minor surgery under local anaesthetic. You will feel pressure but not sharp pain. Afterward, you may have swelling and discomfort for 2-3 days – managed with over-the-counter painkillers. Crowns require no surgery, only tooth shaving, which is painless with anaesthetic. So crowns are less invasive and have no recovery time. However, implant pain is very manageable. I was sightseeing on day three after my All-on-6 surgery.