Size, shape, and shade
The whole tooth is rebuilt in a new form, so changes can be planned on a scale surface-bonded veneers can’t reach.
All-Ceramic Crowns
A crown for the whole tooth —
a completely new size and shape
Unlike laminate veneers bonded to the front surface, an all-ceramic crown covers the entire tooth. It is the choice when a tooth needs full restoration — and when you want its size, shape, and shade improved together. It is also widely used for crowns after root canal treatment.
ESTHETIC CARE All-Ceramic Crown
What is an all-ceramic crown?
A crown made entirely of ceramic, with no metal, that caps the whole tooth. Where a laminate veneer bonds to the front surface, an all-ceramic crown wraps the tooth completely — which is why it can change size, shape, and shade on a much broader scale.
Dream Point
Full coverage, fuller change
Because the crown covers the entire tooth, far more varied changes in size and shape become possible than with surface bonding.
Color and translucency
Recreating the natural color and translucency of teeth is treated as central to a natural-looking result.
Crowns after root canals
Widely used to wrap and protect teeth that have completed root canal treatment.
Alignment effect
Where needed, you can expect an improvement in alignment similar to what orthodontic treatment achieves.
Indications
When is all-ceramic the right fit?
If any of these sound familiar, it’s worth reviewing all-ceramic options at your check-up.
- An old PFM (metal-ceramic) crown has stained or lost its looks and needs replacing
- Teeth too small or too large to correct with orthodontics or laminate veneers
- A broken or chipped tooth, or teeth with uneven, irregular shapes
- A crown is needed — after root canal treatment, for example — and esthetics matter to you
Laminate vs All-Ceramic
Wait — laminate VS all-ceramic
A veneer bonds to the surface; a crown wraps the whole tooth. The trimming involved and the range of change differ accordingly.
| Laminate veneer | All-ceramic crown | |
|---|---|---|
| How it restores | Bonded thinly to the front of the tooth | Covers the entire tooth |
| Tooth reduction | Light reshaping of the surface enamel | Reduction from enamel into dentin |
| What can change | Shape and shade | Size, shape, and shade — all three |
An all-ceramic crown allows more change — and calls for more tooth reduction in return. That reach is why it’s sometimes chosen as one way to improve alignment, and as another route to a whole new look for your teeth.
PFM vs All-Ceramic
Need a crown? All-ceramic instead of PFM
Front-tooth crowns were long made as PFM — a thin porcelain layer over a metal core. The structural difference between the two shows in the color and at the gum line.
| PFM (metal-ceramic) | All-ceramic | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Porcelain layered over a metal core | Ceramic throughout, no metal |
| Color | The metal inside can show through with a dull, grayish cast | Color and translucency close to natural teeth |
| Over time | Staining can appear near the gums; a metal line may show if gums recede | No metal, so staining and exposed metal lines are less of a concern |
Process
How an all-ceramic crown proceeds
- 01
Diagnosis & planning
Remaining tooth structure and nerve status decide whether a crown is right — or whether something more conservative still works.
- 02
Preparation & provisional
The tooth is shaped for the crown and a provisional keeps looks and function until completion.
- 03
Shade design
Neighboring shade and translucency are recorded and designed to the same standard as our veneers.
- 04
Try-in & bonding
The finished crown is verified at try-in, then precisely bonded.
- 05
Bite adjustment & check-up
Occlusion is tuned and care routines explained.
FAQ
All-ceramic crowns — FAQ
01 Veneer or all-ceramic crown — which do I need?
The deciding factor is how much healthy tooth remains. A sound tooth needing front-surface improvement points to the more conservative veneer; a root-canal-treated tooth or one with extensive damage or decay points to a crown that wraps and protects it. We always start from the more conservative option.
02 Does a root-canal-treated tooth really need a crown?
A tooth without its nerve loses internal moisture and grows brittle over time. When damage is extensive, wrapping it in a crown is the recommended way to protect what remains for the long term.
03 Do all-ceramic crowns break easily?
Modern ceramics — zirconia, lithium disilicate — are strong enough for everyday function in most cases. We choose the material for the position and bite force involved, and adjust the occlusion to manage fracture risk.
04 Will a front-tooth crown look as natural as a veneer?
Yes — our anterior all-ceramic crowns are designed to the same aesthetic standard as our veneers. With no metal, no dark line shows at the gums, and layered ceramics recreate the depth of a natural tooth.
05 What does it cost?
The disclosed fees are KRW 1,300,000 for an anterior all-ceramic crown and KRW 700,000 for a ceramic crown (as of 2026). Scope can vary with tooth condition; the exact figure is confirmed after diagnosis.
06 How long does treatment take?
Two visits as a rule: one for preparation and the provisional, one for try-in and bonding. A provisional carries you comfortably through the fabrication days, and if root canal treatment comes first, that time is added.
07 Zirconia or lithium disilicate — what’s the difference?
Zirconia’s strength suits load-bearing positions like molars; lithium disilicate’s translucency suits aesthetic front teeth. We choose by position, bite force, and shade requirements — and explain the reasoning.
08 How do I care for an all-ceramic crown?
Brush and floss as with natural teeth, paying special attention to the margin where crown meets gum — that is what decides its lifespan. Avoid chewing ice, and have the bite and margins reviewed at regular check-ups.
09 Can an old PFM crown be replaced with all-ceramic?
Yes — replacing a PFM whose metal line shows at the gums or has stained is one of the most common requests. The old crown is removed, tooth and gum condition assessed, any needed treatment completed, and the new crown made.
10 Do all-ceramic crowns discolor?
Ceramic barely changes color, so coffee and tea are little threat. Margins and neighboring natural teeth can still shift over the years, which may create a mismatch — if you plan to whiten, do it before the crown is made.
11 Anything to watch during the provisional phase?
Provisionals are temporarily cemented, so sticky foods (caramel, gum) can pull them off and hard foods can crack them — chew on the other side. If one comes off or breaks, it is not an emergency; keep it and come in for re-cementing.
12 Can a crowned tooth still get cavities?
The crown cannot decay, but caries can start at the margin where crown meets tooth. That is why margin brushing and flossing matter — and why check-ups catch margin problems while they are still small.
13 How long does an all-ceramic crown last?
It varies with bite, habits, and margin care, but a well-designed, well-bonded crown often serves beyond a decade. Regular check-ups on the occlusion and margins are the foundation of protecting that span.
14 Do front-tooth crowns get a try-in stage like veneers?
Yes — the rule is the same: shade and form are confirmed in your mouth and bonded only after your approval. A single front-tooth crown lives or dies by its match to the neighbors, so the try-in is checked all the more carefully.
This page is general information about the treatment. Diagnosis, treatment options, and duration vary by individual condition — an in-person examination is how we plan your actual care.
Ready to make a tooth entirely new?
Whether a tooth needs full restoration or you want its size, shape, and shade changed, we’ll examine first and guide you to what fits. Reception until 5:30 pm weekdays, 12:30 pm Saturdays.