For patients in South Africa

Emax crowns in Turkey from South Africa: a plain guide before you travel

Emax crowns are all-ceramic crowns made from lithium disilicate, a material chosen for how closely it copies the translucency of natural enamel. They are most often used on front teeth, where appearance matters most. Like any crown, an Emax crown covers the whole tooth and needs the tooth underneath to be reshaped. This page explains when Emax is a sensible choice, how the trip from South Africa to İzmir works, and how to care for the crowns at home.

What Emax crowns are

An Emax crown is custom-made to fit over a prepared tooth and restore its shape, size, strength and colour. It is metal-free, well tolerated by the gums and highly translucent, which is why it blends in well next to natural teeth. Unlike bonding or veneers, which mainly change the front of a tooth, a crown encloses the whole tooth and protects it.

Emax crowns can suit people with front teeth that are:

• chipped, worn or weakened
• discoloured in a way whitening cannot change
• already crowned and due for replacement

For back teeth that take heavy chewing forces, a dentist may suggest a stronger material such as zirconia instead. A good plan will explain the choice of material for each tooth.

Emax or zirconia?

Both are metal-free ceramics. Emax is usually favoured where looks matter most, such as the front teeth; zirconia is very strong and can be used for front and back teeth. Some smiles combine the two. Read the zirconia crowns guide and the dental crowns guide for South Africans to compare, and see the UK Emax crowns page for the treatment itself.

Questions to ask before you agree

Get the answers in writing:

• How many teeth will be treated, and is each one a crown or a veneer?
• How much of each tooth will be prepared?
• Why Emax for these teeth, and what are the alternatives?
• Will you see a digital plan before anything is prepared?
• Who is the treating dentist, by name?

Our dentists are listed on clinic facts.

How the trip from South Africa works

Most patients complete Emax crown treatment within five to seven days: assessment and digital planning, preparation under local anaesthetic, then fitting and bite adjustment. You will usually wear temporary crowns while the final ones are made.

Direct flights from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Istanbul take around ten hours, then it is a short domestic flight to İzmir. You need an e-Visa before you go, and İzmir is only one hour ahead of South Africa. Keep a day or two spare after fitting, and book a flight you can change if an adjustment is needed.

Caring for Emax crowns at home

With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, Emax crowns typically last 10 to 15 years or longer. Brush twice a day, floss every day, and avoid habits such as chewing ice or opening packets with your teeth.

• Take home a written record of the treatment, the materials and your X-rays or scans
• Tell your dentist in South Africa before you travel and book a check-up for after you return
• Ask whether you need a night guard if you grind your teeth

Crowns and restorations are covered by our treatment guarantee for one year from fitting. If a claim is accepted, the treatment is done in İzmir at no charge; flights and accommodation are your own responsibility. How complaints are handled is set out on our complaints page.

South African medical schemes generally do not cover elective dental treatment abroad, so check with your scheme first. Standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment overseas.

What decides the cost

The number of crowns, the mix of materials, any treatment needed first, and what the package includes, such as accommodation and transfers. A firm figure is only possible after a dental assessment.

What we will not do

We will not crown teeth that only need whitening or a veneer, we will not prepare more tooth than necessary, and we will not start before you have seen and agreed the plan.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I need to stay in Turkey for Emax crowns?

Most patients complete treatment and are ready to fly home within five to seven days, depending on how many teeth are treated.

Are Emax crowns better than zirconia crowns?

Neither is better for every tooth. Emax is usually chosen for front teeth because of its natural translucency, while zirconia is very strong and suits back teeth too. Your plan should explain the material chosen for each tooth.

Do Emax crowns look natural?

Yes. Emax is one of the most aesthetic crown materials because its translucency closely copies natural enamel, so it blends in with the teeth around it.

Is getting Emax crowns painful?

No. Treatment is done under local anaesthetic. Mild sensitivity afterwards is common and usually settles within a few days.

Will my medical aid cover Emax crowns done in Turkey?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover elective dental treatment abroad. Check with your scheme before you book.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.