Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Theodore Markos (DMD)
Affordable Dental Crowns in Costa Rica
Are you uninsured and want to improve your teeth’s strength and appearance? Then you should get dental crowns in Costa Rica! Costa Rican dentists can give you a natural smile at an affordable price with high-quality material. Keep reading to learn more.
Affordable Dental Caps in Costa Rica
Dental treatment prices have increased recently, prompting patients to consider dental tourism abroad.
Did you know?
See the price table below to get an idea of how much you can save.
How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost in Costa Rica?
The cost of dental crowns in Costa Rica starts from $370. While a porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown costs $370, a full porcelain crown costs $400.
Compared to the US, these prices are about 70% cheaper. On average, a PFM crown in the US costs $1,210.
The following table shows the dental crown prices in Costa Rica compared to those in the US and Canada.
| Type of Crown | Costa Rica | US | Canada |
| Porcelain Noble Metal Crown | $370 | $1,210 | $1,100 |
| Porcelain Zirconium Crown | $400 | $1,590 | $1,500 |
| Full Porcelain Crown | $400 | $1,480 | $1,700 |
| Implant + Crown – Porcelain Fused to Metal | $1,212 | $4,000 | $3,093 |
| Implant + Crown – Porcelain Fused to Zirconium | $1,386 | $4,380 | $3,430 |
*Prices are subject to change
Top Dental Clinics in Costa Rica for Crowns
We work with the best dental clinics in Costa Rica that offer top-notch dental services.
Here are some of their highlights:
- 1-7 year guarantees on dental crowns.
- Advanced sterilization methods like autoclaves & ultrasonic cleanings.
- In-house labs with state-of-the-art technology, such as CAD/CAM.
- English-speaking staff and dentists.
- They get continuous training to stay up to date with the latest techniques.
- Additional amenities like free Wi-Fi & phone calls to the US & Canada.
- Shuttle service and dedicated parking lots are also available.
Here is the list of clinics that offer premium-quality dental crowns in Costa Rica.
| Top Destination | Top Clinic | Google Rating |
| San José | Flikier Dental Institute | 5
4.3 |
| Playa Jacó | Premier Dental Care | 4.9 |
| Liberia | Arte Dental | 4.9 |
You can meet the highly-qualified dentists at these clinics in the next part.
Best Cosmetic Dentists in Costa Rica
You will receive your dental crowns in Costa Rica from expert dentists who graduated from top dental schools. Here are some of them:
Dr. Simon Flikier
Leading the field of prosthodontics, Dr. Flikier is a renowned dentist in San Jose, Costa Rica.
He specializes in esthetic (cosmetic) restoration and replacement of teeth.
Educación
Boston University Boston, USA
Membresías
- Costa Rica Dental Association
- Costa Rica's Prosthodontist Association
- American College of Prosthodontics
Dr. Natalia Arguedas
With 12 years of experience as a prosthodontist, Dr Natalia holds a DDS and an MSC, specializing in implants, crowns, and veneers.
She earned her degrees from the University of Costa Rica and teaches in the postgraduate prosthodontics program.
Dr. Arguedas has advanced training in cosmetic dentistry as well.
Educación
University of Costa Rica
Membresías
- Costa Rica Academy of Specialist in Prosthodontics
- Costa Rican Dental Surgeons
Dr. Stephanny Lopez
Dr. Stephanny Lopez is a general dentist with an internship at the Master’s Dental Clinic, European University of Madrid.
She has completed MERF Master Courses in:
- Prosthetic and Adhesive Dentistry
- Endodontics, and
- Surgical Implant Dentistry Level 1 by Zimmer Biomet.
She has also received the National Award for Dentistry Research.
Educación
Universidad Latina De Costa Rica
Dr. Dashiel Carr
An experienced implantologist and specialist in Costa Rica, he completed his degree in dental surgery from Latin America.
He is a member of the ADA & has received training at:
- the Zimmer Biomet Institute in New Jersey and
- the Academy of Osseointegration Annual Meeting in San Diego, California.
He has also authored over 35 publications throughout his successful career.
Educación
Latin American University of Science & Technology
Membresías
- Academy of Osseointegration
- American Academy of Implant Dentistry
- International Congress of Oral Implantology
5 Reasons to Choose Costa Rica for Dental Crowns
Costa Rica is one of the best countries for crown treatments for the following reasons:
- The quality of care and technology used in our dental clinics are comparable to those in the US.
- However, the cost of dental crowns in Costa Rica is drastically lower.
- With 96 points, Costa Rica has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, with excellent patient reviews.
- It ranked third in the Healthcare category of International Living’s Annual Global Retirement Index in 2020.[2]
- The proximity of Costa Rica to the US and Canada makes it an even more favorable option.
- US and Canadian citizens can travel without a visa[3] to get dental crowns in Costa Rica.
- They can stay for up to three months. However, they must have a return ticket.
- Frequent flights are available from important cities in both of these countries.
See their flight durations to San José in the table below:
| City of Origin | Flight Duration |
| California | 6.5h |
| New York | 6.5h |
| Ontario | 6h |
| British Columbia | 8h |
- Costa Rica is a relatively safe country in Central America.
- A ‘Tourist Police Force’ is deployed all across the country to assist and protect tourists.[4]
- As with any other country, tourists should exercise a minimum level of caution. However, most of the travelers who’ve visited have come back satisfied.
- Apart from receiving high-quality dental work in Costa Rica, you can enjoy an unforgettable vacation.
- Due to Costa Rica’s unique geographical location, its scenic beauty is breathtaking.
- It borders the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean.[5]
Before embarking on this journey, you should learn more about dental crowns in the section below.
Dental Crowns in Costa Rica - Everything You Need to Know
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over a natural tooth to restore its function, aesthetics, and strength.[6]
Eligible candidates for dental crowns are those who want to:[7]
- Cover an implant.
- Enhance the look of their teeth.
- Support and retain a dental bridge.
- Protect a weak, decayed, or cracked tooth.
- Repair severely damaged teeth with little remaining structure.
- Protect teeth that have undergone severe grinding due to bruxism.
Dental Crown
Dental Crown- Strengthen a tooth with a large damaged filling that needs to be replaced.
- Strengthen a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment.
Types of Dental Crowns in Costa Rica
Various high-quality materials can be used, depending on the case.
Here are the most popular types of crowns:
All Ceramic Crowns
These are tooth-colored crowns. Usually, their usage is limited to the front teeth. On the posterior teeth, there is a high chance that these will fracture due to the high force.
The color matching is almost perfect with ceramic crowns.[8]
Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns (PFM)
These provide the best of both worlds. The inner core is metal, while the external layer is porcelain.[9]
The only disadvantage is that a significant amount of tooth structure is trimmed. This is to make space for the bulky crown.
Gold Alloy Crowns
Gold crowns have excellent durability and strength. However, their color is a significant drawback.[10] They appear bright yellow in contrast to the white color of the enamel.
Base Metal Alloys
Base metals have a distinct unaesthetic appearance, due to which they are not used on the front teeth. The advantage is that they have very high compressive strength.
Thus, they can withstand the forces acting on the molar teeth.[11]
Zirconia Crowns
The main advantages of zirconium crowns are their durability, strength, biocompatibility, and aesthetic appearance.
They also need less tooth removal and will not cause allergic reactions like base metals.[12]
Ceramic
PFM
Metal
Zirconia
Now that you know everything about crowns, you can learn more about their procedure in the next section.
Procedure for Dental Crowns in Costa Rica
The procedure, which will be performed by the best cosmetic dentists in Costa Rica, goes as below:[13]
On your first visit, the dentist will examine your tooth, determine the type of crown, and create a treatment plan.
Next, the dentist will trim your tooth from all sides.
This is to make room for the crown. You might need a root canal treatment first.
In any case, you will be given local anesthetics and won’t feel a thing.
Crown Preparation
The dentist will send an impression of your tooth to the lab to fabricate a permanent crown.
A temporary crown may be placed until the next appointment. Temporary crowns are provided for free in our network clinics.
On the second visit, the fit of the crown is checked. The dentist will then apply dental cement to glue the crown to your tooth. At first, it may feel a little foreign, but you will get used to it in a few days.
If crowns are ideal for you, keep reading to learn why MTC is the perfect medical tourism assistant.
Why Medical Tourism Corporation (MTC)?
Wondering why you should get your dental crowns in Costa Rica with MTC?
The following reasons might help you decide.
Partnerships With Top Dental Clinics in Costa Rica
- We work with certified dentists who have an excellent reputation.
- We are also partnered with some of the best clinics that offer top-notch cosmetic dentistry in Costa Rica.
World-Renowned Services
- We are ranked A+ by the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
- We have an impeccable track record with thousands of happy patients.
Affordable Dental Packages
- At MTC, we believe in providing the best care at the lowest possible price.
- We provide all-inclusive low-cost dental packages along with pick-up and lodging arrangements.
- We also offer convenient payment options. Our clinics accept cash, wire transfers, credit cards, and PayPal.
Thorough Assistance
- We assist in procuring visas and passports while planning your whole trip for you to eliminate the uncertainty.
- We offer pre-trip consultations with our dentists. Each patient will also get a bilingual case manager who takes care of their requirements.
Are you ready to make the trip? Learn more about Costa Rica’s travel information in the next section.
Costa Rica Travel Information
The following tips will help you have a smoother trip as you travel for dental work in Costa Rica.
- Make sure you have a passport valid for at least six months.
- US and Canadian citizens with valid passports do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica for a stay shorter than three months.
- The native currency of Costa Rica is the Colon.
- However, the American dollar is widely accepted almost everywhere in the country.
- Spanish is the local language here. It’s best to be familiar with the basics of the native language.
The climate in Costa Rica can be divided into two broad categories:
- The dry season (summer or ‘Verano’) – from December to April
- The rainy season (winter or ‘Inverno’) – from May to November
The dry season is the best time to visit and get dental crowns in Costa Rica.[14]
- Cell phones registered in the US are not functional here.
- Contact your cell phone company before you leave to inquire about the reception and call rates.
- It’s a good idea to get a lock and lock up the zippers on your backpack.
- Trust your instincts. If you feel that a situation is unsafe or something is off, but you can’t quite put your finger on it, listen to your gut!
- Do not carry large sums of money. Split your cash into piles and hide each one in different locations, especially when you are on the move.
- Travelers should use licensed taxis, which are red, with yellow medallions painted on the side. Licensed taxis at the airport are orange-colored.
Source: My Costa Rica[15]
Are you still unsure about choosing Costa Rica for crowns? Maybe hearing about other patients’ experiences can help you decide.
Dental Crowns in Costa Rica Patient Reviews
Here are some testimonials from happy patients who had dental crowns in Costa Rica:
Dental crowns & bridge in Costa Rica
Cathe Karner, USDental Crowns, Costa Rica
Great dentist office. The implant work and crown work are both perfect!! Wonderful, friendly staff. No problems.
John Baker, USDental Crowns, Costa Rica
I experienced no pain. Had over 7 crowns & 1 Implant placed without any issues. They treat you like VIP from start to finish.
Do you have more questions about Costa Rica’s dental tourism? Get your answer in the FAQs section below.
FAQs
Dental crowns in Costa Rica are 70% cheaper than in the US and Canada. You can get a full porcelain crown in Costa Rica for $400. While you have to pay $1,480 in the US.
Implant and PFM crowns cost $1,386 per unit here, while in the US, they cost $4,380.
Porcelain dental crowns cost 70% less in Costa Rica compared to the US. Full porcelain crowns are about $400 in Costa Rica. While porcelain noble metal crowns cost $370. The same treatments start at $1,480 and $1,210 in the US.
The cost of zirconium dental crowns in Costa Rica is $400 per unit. Compared to $1,590 in the US and Canada, you can save up to 70% by getting your crowns in this country.
An implant plus a zirconium crown in Costa Rica costs $1,386 vs. $4,380 in the US.
You may hear people’s negative experiences with dental treatments abroad. However, the case is different in Costa Rica.
Getting dental crowns in Costa Rica is entirely safe if you research the clinics and find one with expert dentists. The country itself is also a safe destination and popular among tourists.
You may have to stay in the country for up to seven business days. This depends on the dental crown you get in Costa Rica and your oral status.
This stay might be longer if you need additional restorative treatments and dental services.
The longevity of a crown depends on factors like oral health status, cleaning practices, and material used. A well-maintained dental crown from Costa Rica typically lasts 5-15 years.[16]
Metal crowns are said to last even longer. Our clinics in Costa Rica provide patients with guarantees for all types of crowns.
Conclusion
Restore your teeth by planning your trip for affordable dental crowns in Costa Rica. We at MTC will assist you at every step. You can relax and enjoy a wonderful dental vacation. So, get ready to regain your smile and confidence in Costa Rica.
References
- MENAFN: 42% Of Medical Tourism In Costa Rica Is For Dental Treatment
- PRWEB: The 5 Countries with the Best Healthcare in the World 2020
- International Living: Obtaining Your Visa or Residence in Costa Rica
- Costa Rica Tourism Board: Tips for travelers
- Britannica: Costa Rica
- Healthdirect: Dental crown procedure
- Healthline: Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Dental Crown
- Animated Teeth: Types of dental crowns
- Healthline: How Does a Gold Crown Stack Up to Porcelain?
- Wiley Online Library: Wear & marginal quality of aesthetic crowns for molars
- Healthline: What You Need to Know About Crowns Made from Zirconia
- US News: Best Times to Visit Costa Rica
- My Costa Rica: Is it Safe to Travel in Costa Rica?
- Animated Teeth: How long do crowns last?
