Dental Crowns in Colombia: Types, Prices & What to Expect

In dentistry, every natural tooth is a unique and irreplaceable structure. Our philosophy centers on preserving as much of the natural tooth as possible and avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures. Unlike traditional approaches—which often recommend dental crowns as a standard solution—we believe that each tooth deserves a final opportunity before resorting to aggressive tooth reduction or implants.

Dental crowns in Colombia have historically been recommended for teeth that are damaged or have undergone extensive previous restorations. However, thanks to advances in biomimetic and adhesive dentistry, we now have more conservative alternatives that allow for functional and aesthetic restoration without further weakening the natural tooth structure. Inlays, onlays, vonlays, and table tops are modern, minimally invasive options designed to restore a tooth’s function while preserving its inherent strength.

That said, there are cases where the tooth structure is too compromised and adhesive restorations are not sufficient to ensure long-term durability and function. In these situations—especially when the tooth has already been weakened by prior dental work or severe fractures—we recommend 100% ceramic crowns. These offer superior aesthetics and enamel-like strength, without increasing the risk of further damage to the remaining tooth.

In this guide to dental crowns in Colombia, we’ll explore when crowns are truly necessary, when more conservative options may be preferable, and why certain materials—such as zirconia—may not be the best long-term choice for your oral health. The goal is not just to restore a tooth, but to do so in the safest, most predictable, and most conservative way possible.

What Is a Dental Crown and When Is It Recommended?

A dental crown is a prosthetic restoration that fully covers a weakened tooth, restoring its original shape, function, and appearance. It can be made from a variety of materials and is bonded to the remaining tooth structure using dental adhesives or cement. Simply put, it is a protective “cap” designed to reinforce a tooth that has lost a significant portion of its natural structure.

However, within our philosophy of conservative dentistry, we do not consider dental crowns the first treatment option. Every tooth should be preserved as much as possible, and dental crowns in Colombia—or anywhere—should only be recommended when there are no other minimally invasive alternatives capable of restoring the tooth’s function without compromising its natural integrity.

When Is a Dental Crown Truly Necessary?

There are situations where a dental crown is the most predictable and safest option to ensure the long-term durability of a tooth. In these cases, dental crowns in Colombia—and worldwide—are used not as a cosmetic fix, but as a clinical necessity to preserve what remains of the natural tooth.

Teeth with large previous restorations
If a tooth has been treated with multiple large fillings or old, failing restorations, its structural strength becomes compromised. In such cases, full coverage with a dental crown may be the best solution to prevent fractures and tooth loss.

Root canal–treated teeth with significant structural loss
After a root canal treatment, a tooth loses its internal hydration and elasticity, making it more fragile. If there is not enough remaining tooth structure to support a bonded restoration (such as an inlay, onlay, or table top), a crown may be the only viable long-term solution.

Extensive fractures that compromise tooth stability
When a fracture reaches critical zones of the tooth and cannot be safely rebuilt using modern adhesives and reinforced materials, a crown can offer protection and prevent the need for extraction.

When Is a Dental Crown Not Recommended?

Thanks to advances in biomimetic and adhesive dentistry, many cases no longer require a full dental crown. More conservative solutions now exist that allow us to restore the tooth without unnecessary reduction of healthy tissue.

❌ When the tooth has enough structure to support a less invasive restoration
With today’s high-performance adhesives and reinforced materials, it is possible to rebuild a damaged tooth without shaving it down to place a crown. Preserving natural tissue is always the priority.

❌ When there are biomimetic alternatives such as inlays, onlays, vonlays, or table tops
These techniques restore the tooth’s natural anatomy and function without removing healthy tissue. They are more respectful of the tooth’s biology and, in most cases, offer comparable durability to a crown—without compromising structure.

Our goal with dental crowns in Colombia is not simply to restore, but to do so in a way that mimics nature and prolongs the life of the tooth with minimal intervention. Before recommending a crown, we carefully evaluate all possible alternatives to ensure the most conservative and long-lasting result.

Dental Crowns in Colombia Before and After

Dental crowns allow for the restoration of both the function and appearance of compromised teeth, bringing harmony and confidence back to your smile. Before treatment, issues such as fractures, severe wear, or old restorations can affect not only aesthetics but also oral health, leading to discomfort and bite limitations.

After placing a well-adapted crown, the transformation is clear: the tooth regains its natural shape, improving bite function and stability, with an impeccable aesthetic result that blends seamlessly with the rest of the smile—without compromising the remaining tooth structure.

Types of Dental Crowns: Pros and Cons

100% Ceramic Crown (Recommended)

Also known as metal-free crowns, 100% ceramic crowns are currently the best option for individual tooth restorations on natural teeth. Their composition offers exceptional aesthetics and excellent biological integration, without causing adverse reactions in the surrounding tissues.

Advantages:
✔ Superior aesthetics: Their translucency perfectly mimics natural enamel.
✔ Biocompatibility: Do not cause allergic reactions or gum inflammation.
✔ Enamel-like strength: Gentle on opposing teeth, preserving biomechanical balance.
✔ Excellent adhesion: With modern adhesive techniques, they bond securely and durably to the tooth.

❌ Limitations:
Not recommended for long-span bridges or implants, as they may fracture under extreme loads.

Best suited for: Individual restorations on front and back teeth, as long as there is enough remaining natural tooth structure.

Zirconia Crown (Not recommended in most cases—except for bridges or implants)

Zirconia crowns have become popular due to their extreme strength. However, this hardness can actually be a disadvantage when used on natural teeth, as they do not properly absorb chewing forces and may lead to root fractures or wear on opposing teeth.

✅ Advantages:
✔ High strength: Can withstand heavy biting forces without fracturing.
✔ Decent aesthetics: Especially with translucent zirconia versions.
✔ Ideal for bridges or implant-supported crowns.

❌ Disadvantages:
✖ Excessive hardness: Not biomimetic, which may result in cracks or fractures in natural teeth.
✖ Poor force distribution: Impact energy is transferred to the root rather than being absorbed by the crown.
✖ Limited aesthetics: Even the improved translucent versions don’t quite match the natural look of 100% ceramic crowns.

Best suited for: Fixed bridges (when one or more teeth are missing) or implant-supported crowns—where strength is a major benefit. Not recommended for natural teeth.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crown

For many years, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns were considered the standard in dental restoration. They consist of a metal substructure covered with ceramic. While still durable, these crowns have largely been replaced by more aesthetic and biocompatible alternatives.

✅ Advantages:
✔ High durability
✔ Moderate cost

❌ Disadvantages:
✖ Poor aesthetics: The underlying metal limits translucency, making the crown look less natural. Over time, a dark line may appear along the gumline.
✖ Increased rigidity: May generate unnecessary stress on the remaining tooth structure.
✖ Outdated: Modern metal-free options offer better aesthetics and biocompatibility for only a slightly higher cost.

Best suited for: Cases where cost is a significant limiting factor and aesthetics are not a priority. Today, metal-free crowns have nearly replaced this type of restoration.

Indirect Resin Crown or 3D-Printed Crown

(Recommended in specific cases)

Indirect resin crowns or 3D-printed crowns offer a more affordable and faster solution for patients who are not ready to invest in a ceramic crown or who require a long-term provisional option.

Advantages:
✔ Affordable cost
✔ Quick fabrication (can often be made in a single session)
✔ Good choice for long-term temporary crowns

❌ Disadvantages:
✖ Lower durability: Wears down more quickly than ceramic or zirconia crowns
✖ Reduced strength: More prone to fractures over time
✖ Limited aesthetics: Lacks the natural translucency of pure ceramic materials

Best suited for:
Patients who need a temporary solution for an extended period of time, or in cases where budget constraints prevent immediate placement of a definitive crown.

Conservative Alternatives to Dental Crowns

In modern dentistry, preserving as much of the natural tooth structure as possible is a fundamental principle. Before choosing a dental crown, it is essential to evaluate less invasive alternatives that protect healthy tissue. Thanks to advancements in adhesive techniques and biomaterials, we now have options like inlays, onlays, vonlays, and table tops. These offer excellent functional and aesthetic restoration without the need for aggressive tooth reduction.

Inlays and Onlays: Tooth-Preserving Restorations

Inlays and onlays are indirect restorations designed to rebuild damaged teeth in a precise and conservative way. Unlike a crown, which requires extensive reduction of the entire tooth surface, these treatments bond securely without removing more tooth structure than necessary.

Inlays: Used when tooth damage is limited to the internal surfaces, without affecting the cusps.
Onlays: Cover one or more cusps of the tooth, providing additional strength without the need to reshape the entire tooth like a crown.

Inlays and onlays are recommended for:

Teeth with extensive decay or partial fractures where a traditional filling would not be sufficient.
Defective old restorations that need to be replaced without excessive tooth reduction.
Patients seeking a more durable and aesthetic alternative to resin or amalgam fillings.

Thanks to next-generation adhesives, these restorations offer strength comparable to that of natural enamel—without compromising the remaining tooth structure.

Vonlays and Table Tops: Intermediate Options for Extensive Restorations

Vonlays combine the features of an onlay and an overlay, making it possible to rebuild large areas of a tooth without fully wrapping it like a crown would. They are ideal in the following cases:

Teeth with large existing restorations that still have enough structure to avoid a full crown
Cases where the tooth needs reinforcement, but preserving healthy tissue is a priority
Patients who prefer a more conservative option that maintains the tooth’s natural biomechanics

Table Tops: Restorations for Severe Wear

Table tops are ultra-conservative bonded restorations designed specifically for the occlusal (chewing) surface of teeth—especially in cases of wear caused by bruxism or acid erosion.

Advantages of Table Tops:
✔ No aggressive reduction is required
✔ Restore bite height without weakening the tooth
✔ Highly aesthetic and biomimetic, mimicking the natural structure of enamel

These restorative options allow for the recovery of function in worn-down teeth without the need for dental crowns, helping to preserve the integrity of the original tooth structure.

High-Strength Polyethylene Fibers Instead of Dental Posts

In traditional treatments, when a tooth has very little remaining structure, metallic posts and cores are often used to support the restoration. However, this technique requires drilling into the root canal, which further weakens the tooth and increases the risk of fractures.

Instead, we use high-strength polyethylene fibers—the same material used in bulletproof vests—to internally reinforce the tooth without compromising its structural stability.

Advantages of polyethylene fibers over metal posts:
✔ Evenly distribute forces, reducing the risk of root fractures
✔ Bond more effectively with modern adhesives, resulting in a stronger union
✔ Preserve more natural tooth structure by avoiding aggressive internal drilling

This technique, when combined with next-generation adhesive systems, provides a safer, longer-lasting, and more biocompatible restoration—eliminating the unnecessary damage often caused by traditional post-and-core systems.

Dental Crown Prices in Colombia – 2025

The cost of a dental crown depends on the material used, the technique applied, and the complexity of the case. In our practice, we prioritize minimally invasive treatments and use only high-quality materials to ensure long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing restorations.

Below are the estimated prices for 2025, listed in both Colombian pesos (COP) and U.S. dollars (USD):

100% Ceramic Crown

Cost: 1,500,000 COP (~USD $380)

Material: Pure ceramic — highly aesthetic and biocompatible.

Benefits:
✔ Natural appearance with enamel-like translucency
✔ Gentle on opposing teeth (no wear)
✔ Excellent bonding with the tooth structure

Recommended for:
Individual restorations on natural teeth where aesthetics and tooth preservation are the top priorities.

Zirconia Crown

Cost: 1,600,000 COP (~USD $405)

Material: Zirconia — extremely strong, though less biomimetic.

Benefits:
✔ Withstands high chewing forces
✔ Suitable for high-load areas (molars, bridges)

Limitations:
✖ May transmit excessive force to the root, increasing the risk of fractures in natural teeth

Recommended for:
Fixed bridges and cases where greater structural strength is required.

Implant-Supported Crown

Cost: 2,300,000 COP (~USD $580)

Material: Zirconia — ideal for implant-supported restorations.

Benefits:
✔ High durability and long-term stability
✔ Does not rely on natural tooth structure
✔ Restores chewing function without affecting neighboring teeth

Recommended for:
Patients who have lost a tooth and need a fixed restoration supported by a dental implant.

Comparison Between Crowns and Conservative Restorations

Before opting for a dental crown, it’s important to evaluate less invasive alternatives. The following table compares the main options in terms of durability, invasiveness, and cost.

Treatment	Average Durability	Invasiveness Level	Cost in COP	Cost in USD
Inlay/Onlay/Table Top	10–15 years	Low	1,100,000 COP	$280 USD
Vonlay	10–15 years	Medium	1,300,000 COP	$330 USD
100% Ceramic Crown	15–20 years	High	1,500,000 COP	$380 USD
Zirconia Crown	15–20 years	Very High	1,600,000 COP	$405 USD
Implant-Supported Zirconia Crown	15–20 years	Very High	2,300,000 COP	$580 USD
Resin Crown (temporary/economic)	3–5 years	Low	600,000 COP	$150 USD

How Is a Dental Crown Placed?

In conservative dentistry, our priority is always to preserve as much of the natural tooth structure as possible. However, when a tooth is too compromised and cannot be restored with alternatives like inlays, onlays, vonlays, or table tops, a dental crown becomes the best option to protect it and restore its function.

Here’s how the process works, in five essential steps:

Step 1: Initial Evaluation and Diagnosis

A full clinical and radiographic analysis is performed to determine whether a crown is truly necessary.
The remaining tooth structure is evaluated, and more conservative alternatives are considered first.
If a crown is the best option, the most suitable material is chosen (100% ceramic, zirconia for bridges or implants, or a temporary crown when needed).

Step 2: Tooth Preparation and Impressions

Any existing decay or defective restorations are removed if necessary.
The tooth is minimally prepared—only as much as needed to ensure a perfect fit for the crown.
Digital or traditional impressions are taken to custom-design the restoration.

Step 3: Placement of the Temporary Crown

While the permanent crown is being fabricated, a temporary resin crown is placed.
This protects the tooth and maintains proper aesthetics and function during the waiting period.
Patients are advised to avoid hard or sticky foods to prevent dislodging the temporary crown.

Step 4: Fabrication and Fitting of the Final Crown

The permanent crown is crafted in a dental lab using high-precision technology.
A shade is selected to match the surrounding teeth for a natural look.
Before cementation, the crown is tested in the mouth to ensure ideal fit, bite, and esthetics.

Step 5: Final Cementation and Bite Adjustment

Once the fit is confirmed, the crown is bonded with high-strength dental adhesive.
Final adjustments are made to ensure the bite feels natural and functions properly.
Care instructions are provided to help extend the lifespan of the restoration.

Patient Testimonials at Clínica Viena

Patient from USA sharing her experience with veneers in Colombia at Clínica Viena

Estoy muy feliz con mis resultados, el doctor y todo el equipo me hicieron sentir súper cómoda, y me voy muy contenta

Odalis, USA

Veneers in Colombia testimonial from Martha, patient from Puerto Rico

Estaba buscando una forma de rejuvenecer mi sonrisa y quería un trabajo de excelencia y garantía en un lugar higiénico y perfecto, y lo encontré en Clínica Viena. Quiero decir quela doctora es maravillosa, definitivamente tienen que venir a Clínica Viena.

Martha, Puerto Rico

Patient from Aruba smiles after receiving veneers in Colombia at Clínica Viena

Vine a Clínica Viena buscando diseñar mi sonrisa. Les cuento que me fue súper bien, me encantó el resultado. La atención es espectacular, estas chicas son divinas y trabajan de manera increíble.

Karen, Aruba

Estefanía from Canada shares her veneers in Colombia testimonial

Encontré Clínica Viena a través de las redes sociales y vine hace unos meses para un tratamiento de ortodoncia. Regresé porque quería perfeccionar mi sonrisa con un diseño de sonrisa y realmente amé el resultado, fue mucho mejor de lo que esperaba. Además, todos los doctores fueron súper amables.

Estefania, Canada

The Best Dentists for Your Dental Crowns in Colombia

Dra. Dayana Contreras

Dr. Dayana is a dentist from Universidad Santo Tomás, with over 6 years of experience in Aesthetic Dentistry

- Clinical training in Cosmetic Dentistry
- Intensive course in direct resin veneers – OMI
- Course on occlusal vertical dimension with stamped resin
- Clinical training in dental photography
- Certification in biomimetic dentistry for advanced treatment of teeth with high levels of destruction

Dra. Sara Peláez

Dr. Sara Peláez is an Aesthetic Dentist from Universidad CES, with over 13 years of experience. She is a member of the Colombian Dental College (Colegio Odontológico Colombiano) and the American Dental Association.

Diploma in Cosmetic Dentistry from CES University
Diploma in Marketing from EAFIT University
Course in Ceramic Veneers by Dr. Jose Fernando Espitia, 2018
Course in Indirect Resins from Andes, 2019
Course in Composite Resins from Patto Mora, 2021
Course in Veneers with Stratified Resins from Felipe Becerra Institute, 2023
Course in Biomimetic Dentistry from Centro Actualizarse, 2023

Why Choose Our Clinic for Your Dental Crowns in Colombia?

At Clínica Viena, we have a team of highly trained professionals dedicated to providing world-class dental care in Antioquia.

Our practice is known for its commitment to quality and excellence, supported by the strong academic background of our specialists and strict compliance with local health and safety regulations. We aim to deliver treatments that combine professionalism, trust, and exceptional results—tailored to the unique needs of each patient.

Habilitados por la Secretaria Seccional de Salud de Antioquia

Miembro de la American Dental Association

Miembro del Colegio Odontológico Colombiano

Frequently Asked Questions
About Dental Crowns in Colombia

Does getting a dental crown hurt?

The procedure itself is not painful, as local anesthesia is used to prevent discomfort. However, tooth preparation can cause temporary sensitivity, especially if the tooth is already compromised.

For patients who experience anxiety or discomfort during dental treatments, conscious sedation is available to ensure a more relaxed and stress-free experience.

Can a crown be repaired without replacing it?

How long does a well-made crown last?

Can crowns be avoided with less invasive treatments?

Yes. In many cases, dental crowns can be avoided using more conservative alternatives such as inlays, onlays, vonlays, or table tops, which preserve more of the natural tooth.
Thanks to modern adhesive techniques and high-strength materials, it’s now possible to restore teeth without extensive reduction.

The decision depends on how much healthy tooth structure remains—when possible, a minimally invasive solution is always preferred.

Our Location in Colombia: El Poblado – Medellín

Our clinic is located in the heart of Medellín’s prestigious Golden Mile (Milla de Oro), within the exclusive El Poblado district—a privileged and easily accessible location.

Surrounded by green spaces and high-end accommodation options, we offer a comfortable and pleasant experience from the moment you arrive. With close access to public transportation, visiting us is both simple and convenient. You’ll be welcomed into a peaceful, professional environment designed to provide the highest level of care for your smile.