Dental Crowns · Cost Guide
How Much Does a Porcelain Crown Cost in Vietnam?
At Picasso, crowns run from PFM to Lava Plus, all-inclusive. That is 75 to 85 percent less than Australia, the UK, or the US for the same material standard and the same lab quality.
Key Takeaways
- Picasso offers six crown materials, from PFM to Lava Plus, each priced per unit.
- The same Zirconia crown costs 75 to 85 percent less at Picasso than in Australia, the UK, or the US.
- All prices include prep, temporary crown, lab fabrication, fitting, cementation, and warranty.
- Warranties range from 5 years (PFM and Zirconia) up to 10 years (Lava and Lava Plus).
- A 4-crown trip from Sydney to Hanoi costs less in total than 4 crowns in Sydney alone.
Crown Materials at Picasso
Six ceramic materials are available. The right choice depends on tooth position (front versus back), bite load, and how much aesthetic precision the patient wants. Every crown is priced per unit, inclusive of preparation, local anaesthesia, impression or digital scan, temporary crown, lab fabrication, fitting, cementation, and warranty. Current prices for each material are on our dental costs page.
| Material | Best suited for | Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Porcelain fused to Titanium (PFM) | Back teeth, budget-first cases | 5 years |
| Zirconia (full ceramic) | Molars and premolars, most popular choice | 5 years |
| CERCON HT / Ceramill Zolid | Visible back teeth, enhanced aesthetics | 5 to 7 years |
| Emax (lithium disilicate) | Front teeth, highest aesthetic priority | 7 years |
| Lava (3M) | Smile-line teeth, premium durability | 10 years |
| Lava Plus (3M) | Top-tier front teeth, strongest zirconia | 10 years |
For the full materials guide including indications and lifespan data, see the dental crowns service page.
Vietnam vs Australia, UK, and US
Average private-dental crown fees in Australia, the UK, and the US in 2026 are several times higher than at Picasso, yet the material standard is identical: the same ceramic brands, the same CAD/CAM milling equipment, the same lab QC. The difference is operating overhead. Vietnam clinic costs are a fraction of those in Australia, the UK, or the US, and that difference passes directly to the patient.
The saving grows with every crown in the case. The international flight and two weeks in Hanoi together typically cost $1,500 to $3,000 USD per person, well inside the margin on any multi-crown case.
What the Per-Unit Price Includes and Excludes
Use this grid when comparing quotes across clinics. Hidden add-ons are common in markets that advertise a low headline and charge separately for everything else.
Included at Picasso
- Initial consultation and X-ray.
- Local anaesthesia for preparation.
- Tooth reduction (1 to 2 mm).
- Impression or digital scan.
- Temporary crown to wear during fabrication.
- Lab fabrication of the permanent crown.
- Try-in, bite adjustment, and cementation.
- 1-week and 6-month follow-up review.
- Warranty (5 to 10 years by material).
Quoted Separately if Clinically Needed
- Root canal before crown.
- Core buildup if more than 50% of the tooth is missing.
- Post and core in a thin-walled tooth.
- Crown lengthening if gum recontouring is required.
- Night guard if bruxism is present.
- Internal bleaching for a darkened root-canal tooth.
Any item from the right column that is clinically indicated is disclosed in writing before any work begins. Treatment does not start without written acceptance of the full cost estimate.
Want a written quote before you book flights? Send an X-ray and photo on WhatsApp. A licensed dentist reviews every message and replies within 24 hours.
Message on WhatsApp →Why the Same Crown Costs 5x More at Some Clinics
Price variance across Vietnam dental clinics is significant. Understanding what drives it helps you evaluate any quote you receive.
The ceramic material grade
Generic Chinese-fabricated zirconia is genuinely cheaper than 3M Lava zirconia because the raw ceramic costs less and the lab equipment is older. The crown will be functional, but the expected lifespan is shorter (5 to 8 years versus 15 to 25 years) and the aesthetics are weaker. Picasso uses brand-name ceramics from established manufacturers: 3M Lava, Ivoclar Emax, and certified zirconia. This is a real and legitimate cost difference.
The dental lab
A high-quality lab with current CAD/CAM milling, experienced technicians, and ISO certification charges more per crown than a basic workshop. Lab fees represent the second-largest cost component in a crown. A clinic using a budget lab quotes lower; the marginal fit accuracy and longevity will be visible to a trained clinician within a few years.
Chair time and clinical standard
A 30-minute crown placement with no rubber dam isolation, single-shade selection, and no bite verification costs the clinic less than a 60-minute crown with full isolation, multi-shade matching against natural teeth, and articulator-verified occlusion. Both are quoted as a porcelain crown. Only one will function for 15 years.
Marketing-driven price compression
Clinics that advertise rock-bottom crown prices survive by adding charges at cementation or by using the cheapest possible materials. The headline price is a customer-acquisition cost, not a quality signal. Picasso prices sit in the upper-middle of the Vietnam market, well below international rates, and reflect the clinical standard delivered.
A Real Trip Cost Example: 4 Crowns from Sydney to Hanoi
The travel costs below are for an Australian patient travelling from Sydney for a 4-crown Zirconia case. Add the crown fees from our dental costs page to compare the total against a Sydney quote for the same treatment.
| Item | Hanoi trip |
|---|---|
| Consultation and X-rays | Included in crown price |
| Round-trip flight (Sydney to Hanoi) | ~AUD $800 to $1,200 |
| Hotel, 14 nights (3 to 4 star) | ~AUD $700 to $1,400 |
| Meals and local transport, 14 days | ~AUD $400 to $700 |
| Travel insurance | ~AUD $100 to $200 |
The 2-week Hanoi trip costs less in total than the Sydney crown work alone. For 6 crowns or cases that include implants, the gap widens further. See the dental tourism guide for full itinerary detail.
What International Patients Say
"Wow what a great experience I am from Australia I got a root canal and a crown done it was perfect i got an implant done in Australia my dentist in Australia is fantastic but picasso dental was equally great and for the quarter of the price highly recommend them."
Frankie 5000 · Australia to Da Nang · Root canal + crown · Google review"I had four crowns fitted, one large filling and the removal of an old and very large amalgam filling. I have been to many dentists in my time, in the UK and in the last 20 years while living in Australia. But my visits to Picasso were by far and away the best dental treatment and care I have experienced."
Gerald Mair · Sydney to Hanoi Old Quarter · 4 crowns · Google review"I performed a root canal and they placed a porcelain crown to protect the tooth. The process was easy and the prices were as quoted to me, no surprises. Amazing that I could receive such professional service for a fraction of what would have been charged in the United States."
Garrett Lee · United States to Hanoi Old Quarter · Root canal + crown · Google review
Before
AfterZirconia crown replacement, Hanoi Old Quarter.
Before
AfterEmax front crown, Hanoi Old Quarter.
Before
AfterLava Plus smile-line crown, Da Nang.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a porcelain crown cost in Vietnam?
At Picasso Dental Clinic, porcelain crown prices depend on the material, from porcelain-fused-to-titanium (PFM) up to Lava Plus. Most patients choose Zirconia for back teeth or Emax for visible front teeth. All prices include preparation, impression, lab fabrication, fitting, cementation, and warranty. See our dental costs page for current prices.
How does Vietnam crown pricing compare to Australia, the UK, and the US?
For the same Zirconia crown, Vietnam pricing is 75 to 85 percent lower than in Australia, the UK, or the US, for the same material standard. The savings on a 4-crown case alone typically exceed the combined cost of the international flight and a 2-week hotel stay.
What should a complete crown quote include?
A thorough crown quote covers: initial examination and X-ray, tooth preparation under local anaesthetic, impression or digital scan, temporary crown, lab fabrication of the permanent crown, fitting and bite adjustment, cementation, and follow-up review. At Picasso, all of these are in the per-unit price. Ask for itemised quotes from other clinics because hidden charges for core buildups, posts, or bite adjustments can add significantly to the cost per tooth at clinics that advertise a low headline number.
Why does the same crown cost so much more in some materials?
The difference reflects raw ceramic cost (Lava and Lava Plus use 3M ESPE branded zirconia, which costs more than generic alternatives), lab equipment (Emax requires a pressed-ceramic furnace, Lava requires specific CAD/CAM milling), expected lifespan (PFM 10 to 15 years versus Lava 15 to 25 years), and aesthetic quality (Emax and Lava achieve the most natural translucency for front teeth). The choice depends on tooth position, bite force, and the patient's priorities.
How long do Picasso crowns last and what is the warranty?
Expected lifespan by material: PFM 10 to 15 years, Zirconia 12 to 20 years, Emax 10 to 15 years, Lava 15 to 25 years. Warranty periods: PFM 5 years, Zirconia 5 years, CERCON 5 to 7 years, Emax 7 years, Lava and Lava Plus 10 years. Warranty covers manufacturing defects and premature failure under normal use. Damage from grinding without a night guard or from biting hard objects is excluded.
Are there hidden fees I should expect?
At Picasso, no. The per-unit crown price covers everything from examination through cementation. If the tooth requires a core buildup, a post, or a root canal first, those are disclosed in writing before any work begins. Treatment does not start without written acceptance of the full cost estimate.
Can I get a written quote before I travel to Vietnam?
Yes. Send an X-ray and a photo of the affected tooth through WhatsApp. A licensed dentist reviews every message and replies within 24 hours with the recommended material, the per-unit price, and trip timing for international patients. The quote is provided in writing before you travel.
What payment options are available?
Payment is accepted in VND, USD, or by international card (Visa, Mastercard, bank transfer). For international patients with multi-crown cases, payment is split into two instalments: 50 percent at the first appointment when preparation begins, and 50 percent at cementation. There is no in-house financing, but the cost level at Picasso (typically 70 to 85 percent below home-country pricing) generally removes the need for it.
Want a Written Crown Quote
Before You Travel?
Send us an X-ray and a photo of the tooth on WhatsApp. A licensed dentist reviews every message and replies within 24 hours with the recommended material, the per-unit price, and trip timing. Quote in writing before you book.
Picasso Dental · Est. 2013 · 70,000+ patients · Six branches across Vietnam