A crown is needed
- After root canal treatment, especially on a back tooth
- More than half the tooth is destroyed — a filling will not hold
- A wall of the tooth has broken off
- Heavy wear from bruxism
- The tooth is a bridge abutment
- On an implant — always
When a tooth is badly broken down or missing altogether, prosthetics restore both chewing and appearance. A crown starts at 25,000 AMD, a removable denture at 50,000. This page sets out which option is right in which situation.
Prosthetics solve two fundamentally different problems, and confusing them is an expensive mistake.
The tooth is there but broken down. This calls for a crown — a cap fitted over your own tooth that protects it from splitting. It is especially essential after root canal treatment: such a tooth is brittle and will eventually split without one.
The tooth is gone. Here there are three routes: an implant (the best — it preserves the bone), a bridge (two neighbouring teeth get ground down) or a removable denture (cheapest, but least comfortable).
The choice depends on which tooth it goes on: a front tooth (visible) or a back tooth (heavily loaded).
| Type | Advantage | Who it suits | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic (temporary) | Protects the prepared tooth while the permanent one is made | Everyone — as an interim stage | 5,000 ֏ (≈ $15) |
| Full-cast | The strongest, minimal preparation | Back teeth, where it does not show | 25,000 ֏ (≈ $70) |
| Metal-ceramic | Strong and tooth-coloured, the best value | The most common choice — front and back | 30,000 ֏ (≈ $80) |
| Zirconia (ZrO₂) | Metal-free and translucent, like a natural tooth | Front teeth, and anyone with a metal allergy | 80,000 ֏ (≈ $220) |
| Full-cast gold | Biocompatible, wears at the same rate as a tooth | For specific indications (excluding the gold itself) | 25,000 ֏ (≈ $70) |
On a front tooth, metal-ceramic can over time show a dark line at the gum margin as the metal shows through. If that matters to you, choose zirconia.
For when many teeth are missing and implants are not an option.
| Type | When it is used | What makes it different | Price (1 jaw) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plate denture | Many or all teeth missing | The most affordable. Rests on the gum and covers the palate | 50,000 ֏ (≈ $135) |
| Cast partial denture | Some of your own teeth remain as anchors | On a metal frame: thinner, palate left free, more comfortable | 150,000 ֏ (≈ $410) |
| Night guard | Bruxism, protecting veneers | Worn at night | 15,000 ֏ (≈ $40) |
Under a removable denture the bone keeps shrinking — that is its main drawback. Every 2-3 years the denture loosens and needs relining (15,000 ֏). A denture anchored on implants does not have this problem.
This is the most common question. Here is the simple test.
The most expensive mistake is putting off the crown after root canal treatment. The tooth splits vertically within 6-12 months and cannot then be saved — everything already spent is wasted.
Two visits, 1-2 weeks apart.
The state of the root, the quality of any previous treatment and the bone level are checked. If needed, root canal treatment or retreatment comes first.
The tooth is reduced by the thickness of the crown. Where it is badly broken down, a post is placed first and the core rebuilt (15,000-20,000 ֏).
An impression is taken and the order goes to the laboratory. An acrylic temporary crown is fitted (5,000 ֏) — you will not be left with a bare prepared tooth.
At the next visit the crown is tried in and the shape, colour and bite checked. If needed it goes back to the laboratory for adjustment.
The crown is cemented in place and the bite checked one final time — a crown that sits high causes pain on chewing.
Zirconia and metal-ceramic last 10-15 years. The usual reason for replacement is decay at the margin, not wear of the crown itself.
The bone underneath shrinks and the denture loosens. It then needs relining (15,000 ֏) or replacing.
Daily hygiene, especially at the crown margin. Rinse a removable denture after every meal. An annual check-up.
The final figure is set out in your plan after the X-ray, before work begins. The full list is in the price list.
A bridge is cheaper and faster (2 visits), but two healthy neighbouring teeth are ground down for it, and the bone in the gap keeps shrinking. An implant costs more up front but leaves the neighbours alone and preserves the bone. Over 10-15 years an implant usually works out cheaper.
The preparation is done under local anaesthesia. If the tooth is already 'dead' (root canal treated), anaesthesia may not even be needed.
A prepared tooth is exposed and sensitive, and the gum is mobile. The temporary crown protects the tooth, holds the shape of the gum and lets you eat normally while the permanent one is made.
The clasps of a cast partial denture can show when you smile, depending on where your teeth are. A plate denture shows less but covers the palate and at first interferes with taste.
Usually 2-4 weeks. In the first days rubbing, extra saliva and changes in speech are common. If something rubs, come in and we will adjust it — please do not file it yourself.
We accept payment by card only, in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Armenia.
The consultation is free and the X-ray is on site. We will compare the options on price, timeline and how they hold up in the long run.