Dental crowns are used to restore and protect damaged, weakened or heavily filled teeth. They can also improve the shape, strength and appearance of a tooth.
At Smart Care Polyclinic, the most commonly used crown options are zirconia, PFM and E.max. A zirconia crown is AED 599 per tooth and a PFM crown AED 399 per tooth; E.max is quoted at the consultation, which is free.
Zirconia crowns: strong, durable and highly aesthetic
Zirconia crowns are made from a strong, metal-free ceramic material. They are highly resistant to fracture and are especially suitable for teeth that experience greater chewing pressure.
Modern zirconia crowns also provide a natural appearance, making them suitable for both front and back teeth. The type used today is usually monolithic, milled from a single block rather than layered with porcelain, and in a 2026 meta-analysis of tooth-supported crowns, monolithic zirconia survived at 96.8% over five years with significantly fewer chips and fractures than layered crowns.
- Molars and premolars
- Patients who need a strong, long-lasting crown
- Patients who prefer a metal-free option
- Teeth exposed to heavier chewing forces
PFM crowns: a proven combination of strength and affordability
PFM stands for porcelain fused to metal. These crowns have a strong metal base covered with tooth-coloured porcelain.
PFM crowns have been used successfully for many years and remain a reliable option for both individual crowns and dental bridges. In the largest review of single crowns, metal-ceramic crowns survived at 94.7% over five years, essentially level with the all-ceramic options.
Because the crown contains a metal base, it may not provide the same translucency and natural appearance as modern all-ceramic crowns, and a thin dark line can show at the gum edge as gums recede over the years.
- Back teeth
- Dental bridges
- Patients looking for a reliable and cost-effective option
E.max crowns: premium aesthetics for a natural smile
E.max crowns are made from lithium disilicate, a high-quality ceramic known for its excellent translucency and natural appearance. They closely resemble natural tooth enamel and are often chosen when appearance is a priority.
As a single crown, E.max performs very well: 97.8% survival at five years and 96.7% at ten in a systematic review. The same review found it did much worse as a bridge, at 78.1% over five years, so E.max is a crown material rather than a bridge material.
- Front teeth
- Smile makeovers
- Highly visible teeth
- Patients looking for a premium cosmetic result
Which crown should I choose?
The best crown depends on the position of the tooth, your bite, the amount of remaining tooth structure and your cosmetic preferences.
| Crown type | Strength | Appearance | Commonly used for | Price per tooth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zirconia | Excellent | Excellent | Front and back teeth | AED 599 |
| PFM | Very good | Good | Back teeth and bridges | AED 399 |
| E.max | Very good | Excellent | Front and visible teeth | Quoted at consultation |
The tooth under the crown matters as much as the crown
A review of 26 studies found crowns on living teeth survived best, at 98.3% over five years, while crowns on root-treated teeth reached around 95% when a fibre post was used. That is why the dentist looks at the state of the tooth and the root before talking about materials.
And if a back tooth has had a root canal, a crown is not optional in most cases: root-treated teeth left without one were lost at six times the rate of those crowned afterwards in an eleven-year study.
Your dentist will assess your tooth and recommend the crown material most appropriate for your individual needs. At Smart Care the consultation is free, and you have the full figure before any tooth is prepared.
Common questions
How much does a dental crown cost in Dubai?
At Smart Care Polyclinic in Deira, a zirconia crown is AED 599 per tooth and a PFM crown AED 399 per tooth. E.max crowns are quoted at the free consultation. The price is confirmed before any tooth is prepared.
Which crown lasts longest?
In the largest reviews, zirconia, PFM and E.max single crowns all survive at roughly 95 to 98 in 100 over five years. The differences between materials are smaller than the difference made by the health of the tooth underneath and how well the gum edge is kept clean.
Can I have a zirconia crown on a front tooth?
Yes. Modern zirconia is translucent enough for front teeth, and it is the usual choice where strength and appearance are both needed. E.max is chosen where matching the neighbouring teeth precisely is the overriding priority.
References
- Pjetursson BE, Pitta J, Balet A, et al. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Evaluating the Survival, Failure, and Complication Rates of Metal-Ceramic, Veneered, and Monolithic All-Ceramic Tooth-Supported Single Crowns-Part 1. Int J Prosthodont. 2026;39(3):308-324.
- Sailer I, Makarov NA, Thoma DS, Zwahlen M, Pjetursson BE. All-ceramic or metal-ceramic tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs)? A systematic review of the survival and complication rates. Part I: Single crowns (SCs). Dent Mater. 2015;31(6):603-623.
- Pieger S, Salman A, Bidra AS. Clinical outcomes of lithium disilicate single crowns and partial fixed dental prostheses: a systematic review. J Prosthet Dent. 2014;112(1):22-30.
- Hawthan M, Larsson C, Chrcanovic BR. Survival of fixed prosthetic restorations on vital and nonvital teeth: A systematic review. J Prosthodont. 2024;33(2):110-122.
- Aquilino SA, Caplan DJ. Relationship between crown placement and the survival of endodontically treated teeth. J Prosthet Dent. 2002;87(3):256-263.
This article is general health information, not medical advice, and does not replace a consultation. Care at Smart Care Polyclinic is provided by DHA-licensed clinicians.