Dental crowns in Chiang Mai
A crown covers and protects a tooth that is broken, heavily filled or weakened after root canal treatment. At Kitcha Dental Clinic, crowns are made by our ISO-certified partner laboratory or with digital CAD/CAM. How long it takes depends on the crown type, the dentist treating you and public holidays — as little as 1 day, and usually your crown is fitted 3–5 days after the tooth is prepared.
- Open every day, 09:00–20:00
- Opposite Chiang Mai Gate
- Coordinators in English and Thai
When you may need a crown
- A tooth has broken or cracked, or a large filling has failed.
- A back tooth has had root canal treatment and needs protecting.
- A tooth is badly worn, or so discolored that a veneer would not cover it.
- An implant needs a crown on top.
- Missing teeth will be replaced with a bridge, which is made of joined crowns.
Unlike a veneer, which covers only the front of a tooth, a crown covers the whole visible tooth. Your dentist checks the tooth and its root with an X-ray first; if decay or infection has reached the nerve, root canal treatment may be needed before the crown.
Crown materials
Zirconia
A strong, tooth-colored ceramic.
All-ceramic (IPS e.max, Empress)
A tooth-colored ceramic crown without a metal base.
Digital CAD/CAM
Designed from a digital scan of your teeth and milled; it can be ready in as little as 1 day.
Porcelain fused to metal (PFM)
A porcelain surface over a metal core.
Full metal
A metal alloy crown. Precious-metal crowns are also available, with the laboratory fee for the metal charged separately.
Your dentist chooses the material for your case, based on the tooth, where it is and the shade of your teeth. A temporary crown protects the tooth while the final crown is being made.
Not sure whether your tooth needs a crown?
Tell us which tooth is the problem and send a recent X-ray or photo if you have one. Your dentist explains your options before any treatment starts.
How many visits, and how long
Visit 1: preparation
Your dentist shapes the tooth, takes a digital scan or an impression, chooses the shade with you and fits a temporary crown.
Making the crown
How long your crown takes depends on the crown type, the dentist treating you and public holidays. It can be as little as 1 day; usually your crown is fitted 3–5 days after the tooth is prepared. Crowns are not made while you wait, so plan for a second visit.
Visit 2: fitting
The temporary crown is removed, and the new crown is tried in for fit, color and bite, adjusted if needed, and then cemented.
If the tooth needs root canal treatment or a post first, more visits are added; your dentist tells you the plan after the examination. If you are traveling, tell us your dates when you book so we can arrange the visits around them.
Cost of a dental crown
Crown prices depend on the material and are listed per tooth on our prices page. X-rays, medicines, root canal treatment and posts are charged separately, only if your tooth needs them. Your dentist confirms the fee after the examination.
Prices on our prices page are shown as ranges. Your final fee depends on what the examination finds, and may include additional items — such as a rubber dam or special materials — when your treatment needs them. Your dentist explains these before treatment.
Warranty and payment
Warranty
Crowns, bridges and other laboratory work have a 1-year warranty on the restoration, terms apply. It is used at our clinic in Chiang Mai, covers work done at the clinic, and does not include travel, accommodation or treatment provided elsewhere.
When you pay
Full payment for a crown is due on the day the tooth is prepared or the impression is taken.
Ways to pay
Thai baht cash, credit cards (including American Express), Thai QR PromptPay, PayPal, Alipay and bank transfer.
Caring for your crown
Look after a crown as you would your natural teeth: brush and floss every day, and avoid biting on very hard foods. If you grind your teeth, tell your dentist, as grinding puts extra force on crowns.
Who treats you
Crowns are planned and fitted by our dentists, including dentists with postgraduate training in prosthodontics, the field of crowns, bridges and dentures. When gum shaping or root canal treatment is needed first, the dentists involved plan the work together within the clinic.
Dental crown FAQs
How long does a dental crown take?
Usually two visits. How long your crown takes depends on the crown type, the dentist treating you and public holidays — as little as 1 day, and usually the crown is fitted 3–5 days after the tooth is prepared. More visits are needed if the tooth needs root canal treatment or a post first.
Can I get a crown in a single visit?
No. Even the quickest crowns take at least 1 day, so you come back for a second visit to have the crown fitted — usually 3–5 days after the tooth is prepared.
What types of crowns do you make?
Zirconia, all-ceramic, porcelain fused to metal and full metal crowns, including digital CAD/CAM crowns. Your dentist chooses the material for your case, based on the tooth, where it is and the shade of your teeth. Prices for each type are on our prices page.
Does getting a crown hurt?
The tooth is usually numbed with local anesthesia while it is prepared. Afterwards the tooth or gum may feel sensitive or sore for a while; tell your dentist if it does not settle, and ask for pain relief if you need it.
Is there a warranty on crowns?
Yes. Crowns and other laboratory work have a 1-year warranty on the restoration, terms apply. It is used at our clinic in Chiang Mai, covers work done at the clinic only, and does not include travel, accommodation or treatment provided elsewhere.
Should I choose a crown or a veneer?
It depends on how much healthy tooth is left. A veneer covers only the front of a tooth and suits front teeth that are mostly intact; a crown covers the whole tooth and suits teeth that are broken, heavily filled or root-treated. Your dentist explains which suits each tooth after the examination.
Is a crown on a front tooth different from one on a back tooth?
The steps are the same. Back teeth take a heavier bite, so your dentist may recommend a stronger material for them, which can affect the fee. Your dentist discusses the most suitable material for each tooth.
Need a crown?
Tell us which tooth is the problem and, if you have one, send a recent X-ray or photo. A coordinator replies in English or Thai. Open every day, 09:00–20:00 (Thailand time).
Or email us at [email protected]
Content reviewed by Dr. Pawak Tungthangthum — DDS, Chiang Mai University; Master's Degree in Esthetic Restorative and Implant Dentistry (International Program), Chulalongkorn University · Last reviewed