Crowns
Dental crowns from AUD 283 - restore broken teeth | Picasso Vietnam
Porcelain and zirconia crowns at Picasso Dental Clinic Vietnam — material comparison table, AUD pricing, single-trip options, and when crowns beat veneers for Australian patients.
Dental crowns at Picasso Dental Clinic start at AUD 283 per unit (porcelain fused to titanium) and reach AUD 679 for premium Lava Plus ceramic — compared with AUD 1,500–AUD 2,800 per crown at Australian private clinics — restoring heavily filled, cracked, or root-treated teeth with full-coverage ceramics in a 5–8 day Vietnam trip.
Dental crowns at Picasso Dental Clinic start at AUD 283 per unit and reach AUD 679 for Lava Plus premium ceramic. Australian private clinics typically charge AUD 1,500–AUD 2,800 per crown. A crown is a full-coverage ceramic cap cemented over a prepared tooth — the standard restoration when a tooth is cracked, heavily filled, root-treated, or structurally compromised.
This page covers which material suits which situation, the complete AUD price table, how crowns differ from veneers, and what the Vietnam trip looks like when crowns are part of a treatment plan.
Material comparison table
| Material | AUD per unit | Warranty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain fused to titanium | AUD 283 | 5 years | Functional restorations where aesthetics are secondary |
| Zirconia | AUD 396 | 5 years | Molars needing strength; white but not translucent |
| CERCON HT / Ceramill Zolid | AUD 452 | 5–7 years | High-strength zirconia with improved aesthetics |
| Emax | AUD 510 | 7 years | Front teeth and premolars — best translucency and aesthetics |
| Lava | AUD 622 | 10 years | Front and back teeth — combines Emax aesthetics with molar strength |
| Lava Plus | AUD 679 | 10 years | Full-arch cases where consistency matters across all teeth |
Prices correct as at May 2026. Material choice is confirmed in your written plan before treatment begins.
Crowns vs veneers — when each applies
| Situation | Crown | Veneer |
|---|---|---|
| Root-treated molar | Yes | No |
| Cracked or split tooth | Yes | No |
| Large existing filling (over 50% of tooth) | Yes | No |
| Healthy front tooth with colour or shape issue | No | Yes |
| Broken cusp requiring full protection | Yes | No |
| Uniform smile makeover on undamaged front teeth | No | Yes |
Picasso’s written treatment plan specifies crown or veneer for each tooth before preparation. You will not arrive to find your treatment has changed.
How crowns compare to Australian private costs
| Material | Picasso (AUD) | AU private range (AUD) | Indicative saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zirconia | AUD 396 | AUD 1,500 – AUD 2,000 | AUD 1,100 – AUD 1,600 |
| Emax | AUD 510 | AUD 1,800 – AUD 2,800 | AUD 1,290 – AUD 2,290 |
| Lava | AUD 622 | AUD 2,000 – AUD 2,800 | AUD 1,378 – AUD 2,178 |
For 6 crowns (a common scenario for a damaged upper arch), savings at Picasso over an Australian private clinic are typically AUD 7,000–AUD 14,000 before flights and accommodation. Break-even for a Sydney patient is approximately AUD 3,400–4,250.
Trip timeline for crown patients
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Clinical assessment, X-rays, shade matching, treatment plan sign-off |
| Day 2 | Tooth preparation, impressions or digital scan, temporaries fitted |
| Days 3–5 | Laboratory fabrication (3–4 working days for Emax or Lava) |
| Day 6–7 | Crown trial fit, shade check, permanent cementation |
| Day 7–8 | Bite adjustment, photos, discharge with aftercare pack |
Multiple crowns prepared simultaneously do not extend the timeline — the lab fabricates all units together.
Private health fund note
Some Australian private health extras cover a portion of crown costs under major dental — typically AUD 200–600 per item depending on your fund and tier. Overseas treatment at Picasso is not covered under standard policies. Check your policy for overseas emergency dental cover if you carry travel insurance.
Related pages
- Crown cost — full AUD breakdown
- Dental veneers — front teeth aesthetics
- Root canal treatment — often combined with crowns
- Dental bridges — multiple crowns in a unit
- All-on-4 — full arch restoration
- Free AUD quote
Frequently asked questions
How much is a crown in Australia?
Private Australian crowns typically cost AUD 1,500–AUD 2,800 per unit depending on material and city. Sydney and Melbourne practices charge AUD 1,800–AUD 2,800 for premium ceramic. Medicare does not cover crowns — some private health extras cover a portion, typically AUD 200–600 per item depending on your policy.
Crown vs veneer — which do I need?
Crowns cover the entire tooth for structural strength. Veneers cover only the visible front surface for aesthetics. Back teeth that are root-treated, cracked, or heavily filled need crowns. Front teeth that are healthy but poorly shaped or discoloured are candidates for veneers.
How long do I stay in Vietnam for crowns?
5–8 days for lab-fabricated porcelain crowns. Multiple crowns on the same trip do not extend the timeline significantly — prep and impressions on days 1–2, lab turn 3–4 working days, fitting on the final day.
Can crowns be done after root canal?
Yes, and they usually should be. Most root-treated molars and premolars become brittle over time. Plan the crown on the same trip as the root canal — see /root-canal/ for pricing.
Do porcelain crowns look natural?
Emax and Lava crowns are the most natural-looking options. Shade is matched to your adjacent teeth or, if you are having a full smile plan, to the target shade chosen at the wax-up stage.
Is Emax or zirconia better for front teeth?
Emax is generally preferred for front teeth because of its translucency and layered aesthetics. Zirconia is stronger and suits molars. Lava zirconia combines both properties with a 10-year warranty.