Restorative Dentistry · Last reviewed May 2026
Porcelain Crowns That Restore
What Was Lost.
Picasso Dental places porcelain and zirconia crowns in Vietnam in materials including Emax, Zirconia, CERCON HT, Lava and Lava Plus, with manufacturer-backed warranties from 5 to 10 years. Used after root canals, on heavily broken-down teeth, or as the final restoration on dental implants. Six branches across Hanoi, Da Nang, HCMC and Da Lat.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that completely covers a tooth, restoring its shape, strength and appearance. Crowns are typically used after a root canal, on a heavily broken-down tooth, or as the final restoration on a dental implant. Modern porcelain and zirconia crowns commonly last 10–15 years or more with good maintenance.
Why Picasso for Crowns
Six Premium Materials
Porcelain-fused-to-titanium, Zirconia, CERCON HT, Ceramill Zolid, Emax, Lava and Lava Plus, every material with manufacturer-backed warranty documentation. We match the material to the tooth, not the other way around.
iTero Digital Impressions
No gag-inducing putty trays. The iTero scanner captures the prepared tooth in minutes with sub-30-micron accuracy, so the crown fits precisely on the first try and shade-matching is calibrated digitally.
Warranties Up to 10 Years
Picasso crown work is covered by manufacturer-backed warranties: 5 years on porcelain-fused-to-titanium and standard zirconia, 7 years on Emax, and 10 years on Lava and Lava Plus.
Hospital-Grade Facilities
Two of our six branches operate inside accredited hospitals, Vinmec International Da Nang and Link General Hospital Da Lat, with full sterilisation and emergency medical support on-site.
Six Branches, One Standard
Treatment can be transferred between any of our six clinics in Hanoi, Da Nang, HCMC and Da Lat, useful if a temporary crown debonds while you're travelling, or if you want a check during a visit to another city.
Honest Material Recommendation
Front teeth need different materials than back teeth. We will tell you when a less expensive porcelain-fused-to-titanium crown does the job, and when paying more for Lava is justified, not the other way around.
Crown Materials & Warranties
Final quote depends on material, position in the mouth and any preparatory work needed (root canal, core build-up, post).
| Material | Warranty |
|---|---|
| Porcelain fused to Titanium | 5 years |
| Zirconia | 5 years |
| CERCON HT / Ceramill Zolid | 5–7 years |
| Emax | 7 years |
| Lava | 10 years |
| Lava Plus | 10 years |
For itemised pricing, see the cosmetic dentistry cost guide. Looking for front-surface only? See porcelain veneers. Need an implant crown? See dental implants.
Crown Materials Explained
Six options at different price points. Your dentist will recommend based on tooth position, bite force, aesthetic priority and budget.
Porcelain Fused to Titanium
The strong workhorse, a titanium substructure with porcelain fused over the top. Excellent durability, slightly less aesthetic than full-ceramic at the gum margin. 5-year warranty.
Zirconia
High-strength full-ceramic crown. Excellent for posterior teeth where chewing forces are highest. Naturally white substrate, no metal under the porcelain. 5-year warranty.
CERCON HT / Ceramill Zolid
High-translucency zirconia systems. Combine the strength of zirconia with improved aesthetics suitable for premolars and aesthetic posterior cases. 5–7 year warranty.
Emax
Lithium disilicate, the most natural-looking option for front teeth. Strong enough for single-tooth crowns where light translucency matters. 7-year warranty.
Lava & Lava Plus
Premium 3M zirconia systems with the longest warranty Picasso offers. Designed for patients who want maximum longevity and material documentation. 10-year warranty.
How We Choose
Front teeth: Emax for translucency, or Lava for premium longevity. Back teeth: Zirconia or CERCON HT for strength. Heavy bite or grinder: Lava Plus. We confirm at consultation.
How a Crown is Placed
Most crowns are completed in two visits over about two weeks. International patients can usually finish a single crown in one trip.
Examination + X-ray
Clinical exam and X-ray to confirm the tooth is restorable and rule out infection or root issues that need treating first.
Day 1 · 30 minTooth Preparation
Decay or old restorations removed; tooth shaped to receive the crown under local anaesthetic.
Day 1 · 60 miniTero Scan + Temporary
Digital scan sent to the lab; a temporary crown protects the tooth while your final crown is fabricated.
Day 1 · 30 minFinal Bonding
Temporary removed, final crown checked for fit, shade and bite, then bonded with permanent cement.
~2 weeks later · 45 minWho Is, and Isn't, a Good Candidate?
Crowns are the right answer for a structurally compromised tooth that still has a viable root. They are not the answer for every tooth problem.
You're a Strong Candidate If
Your tooth has too much damage for a filling but a viable root.
You have had a root canal and need to protect what remains of the tooth.
You have a large fracture, heavily broken-down old filling, or aesthetic crown failure.
You have an implant fixture that needs its final restoration.
Your gums and surrounding bone are healthy.
You can attend two appointments roughly two weeks apart.
A Crown May Not Be Right If
The tooth has only minor damage, a filling or onlay may preserve more tooth structure.
The tooth root is non-viable and the tooth needs extraction (an implant or bridge follows).
You have active untreated gum disease, must be treated first.
You only want to change shape or shade on an otherwise healthy tooth, a veneer is the right tool.
You grind heavily without protection, we'll discuss material choice and a nightguard.
Risks & Honest Tradeoffs
Crowns are a long-established and predictable restoration, but no dental procedure is risk-free.
What Can Go Wrong
Sensitivity after preparation, usually transient. Need for root canal if pulp irritation persists. Debonding (re-cementable in most cases). Fracture (rare in zirconia, more common in Emax under heavy bite). Marginal staining at the bond line over years.
The Irreversibility Tradeoff
Crowning a tooth requires removing more enamel than a filling or veneer. Once committed, the tooth will always need a crown to seal the prepared surface. We choose crowns when the tooth genuinely needs full coverage, not as a default.
How We Minimise Risk
Conservative preparation only as far as the material requires. Digital impressions for sub-30-micron fit. Bite assessment before bonding. Premium materials with manufacturer warranty documentation. Lab work in calibrated facilities, not in-clinic milling shortcuts.
If a Crown Fails Within Warranty
Within the warranty period (5–10 years depending on material) and under normal use, replacement is covered. We retain digital impression files so a duplicate can be fabricated quickly.
What We Will Tell You No To
If a tooth can be saved with a filling, inlay or onlay, we will say so. If a crown is being recommended only for cosmetic reasons on an otherwise healthy tooth, we will offer a veneer instead. We are not interested in over-treatment.
Long-Term Maintenance
Daily brushing and flossing. 6-month hygiene visits. Nightguard if you grind. Crowns do not decay, but the tooth underneath can, we monitor the margin at every recall to catch any issue early.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a dental crown last?
With good hygiene and a stable bite, modern porcelain and zirconia crowns commonly last 10–15 years or more. Picasso warranties run from 5 years on porcelain-fused-to-titanium up to 10 years on Lava and Lava Plus zirconia.
Which crown material should I choose?
Zirconia and CERCON HT are excellent for back teeth where strength matters. Emax is the most natural-looking option for front teeth. Lava and Lava Plus are premium 3M zirconia systems with the longest warranties. Porcelain-fused-to-titanium is the most affordable option.
Does getting a crown hurt?
The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, you feel pressure, not pain. Some sensitivity for a few days after preparation is normal, especially to cold. If a root canal is also needed, that is done first.
How many visits does a crown take?
Typically two visits over about two weeks. Visit one prepares the tooth and takes the digital impression; visit two bonds the final crown. International patients can often complete a crown in a single trip.
Will my crown look natural?
Yes, when the right material is chosen. Emax lithium disilicate and high-translucency zirconia produce front-tooth crowns that are visually indistinguishable from natural teeth in normal light. Shade is matched digitally with iTero scans.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Usually yes, especially on back teeth. A root-canal-treated tooth is more brittle and prone to fracture. A crown protects what remains of the natural tooth structure and restores chewing strength.
What is the warranty on a Picasso crown?
5 years on porcelain-fused-to-titanium and standard zirconia, 5–7 years on CERCON HT and Ceramill Zolid, 7 years on Emax, and 10 years on Lava and Lava Plus.
Crowns Patients in Their Own Words
Patient Stories
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In Writing.
Book a free consultation. We will examine the tooth, take an iTero scan and X-ray, recommend the right material, and quote you in writing before any clinical work begins.