A veneer and a crown both cover a tooth, but they are used for different problems.

A veneer only covers the front surface of the tooth. It works best when the tooth is still healthy and strong. There should not be major decay, cracks, or past root canal treatment. Veneers are mainly for improving how teeth look.

A crown covers the whole tooth: front, back, sides, and top. It is used when the tooth is weak, cracked, badly damaged, or has had a root canal. A crown improves both strength and appearance.

If your tooth is healthy but you do not like the shape, colour, or appearance, a veneer is usually the better option. If the tooth is cracked, heavily filled, damaged, or already treated before, you will probably need a crown.

Your dentist will confirm this during the consultation, but understanding the difference beforehand helps you know what to expect.

All eight materials at The Hudson are made from zirconia. The main differences are where the zirconia comes from, how natural it looks, and how long the warranty lasts.

Entry tier - Japan and Germany · 7 to 10 year warranty

Katana from Japan and Venus and DDBio from Germany are strong and widely used zirconia materials. They are reliable and cost less than the higher tiers. They are practical choices for back teeth, where strength matters more than appearance.

Mid tier - USA · 15 year warranty

Lava 3M is one of the best-known zirconia brands in dentistry. Lava 3M Plus prioritises strength. Lava 3M Esthetic aims for a more natural look. For visible teeth where you want a balance of durability and appearance, Lava 3M Esthetic is the middle-ground option.

Premium tier - Italy · 19 year warranty

The Orodent range from Italy has the longest warranty at 19 years. If you want the most natural look for visible front teeth and the longest warranty, this is the premium option.

No 'starting from' pricing. Just clear numbers so you can compare costs properly.

All prices are in AUD.

Travel costs are usually straightforward. Return flights from Australia to Vietnam are around $600 to $1,200 AUD. A decent 3 to 4 star hotel for 7 nights is usually $500 to $800 AUD. That puts the total travel cost at about $1,100 to $2,000 AUD.

Even after adding flights and hotel, most patients still save around $15,000 to $35,000 AUD on a full-mouth treatment, depending on the material chosen.

For one crown, the savings after travel are smaller. But once you need four crowns or more, the cost difference becomes much more significant.

It depends on which material you choose and where the crown is placed.

Zirconia is naturally less translucent than real enamel. Standard zirconia looks clean and white, but light does not pass through it the same way as a natural tooth.

For back teeth, this usually does not matter. People rarely see your molars when you smile. Strength is more important there.

For front teeth, appearance matters more. Entry-level materials from Japan and Germany are strong and look good, and most people will be happy with them. But up close, a dentist or trained eye may still notice the difference from natural teeth.

Lava 3M Esthetic and the Orodent range are made to look more natural. They allow light to pass through more like real enamel. Orodent High Translucent is designed specifically for this.

For back teeth, any zirconia tier is usually fine. For front teeth, especially if you want the crowns to look as natural as possible, Lava 3M Esthetic or Orodent are the better options.

A well-made zirconia crown can last 15 to 20 years, and sometimes longer.

The biggest reason crowns fail early is teeth grinding. Grinding puts a lot of pressure on crowns, especially at night. If you grind your teeth, tell your dentist before treatment. You will likely need a night guard.

Hard objects can also damage crowns. Biting ice, hard nuts, bottle caps, or fingernails can chip zirconia if the force hits at the wrong angle.

The crown itself cannot decay, but the tooth underneath still can. Plaque can build up around the gumline where the crown meets the tooth. Brushing and flossing properly every day is important.

Your bite also needs to feel correct after the crown is placed. If the crown sits too high, it takes too much pressure every time you bite. A good dentist checks and adjusts this before you leave. If your bite feels off afterward, say something immediately.

Keep your warranty card. It is your proof of coverage.

Crowns do not need time for the bone to heal or fuse. The process is much faster. It involves preparing the teeth, making the crowns, and fitting them. Most full-mouth crown treatments are completed in one trip over about 7 days.

You will wear temporary crowns for about 2 to 3 days between tooth preparation and the final fitting. Stick to soft foods and avoid flossing too hard around them because they can come loose easily.

Zirconia crowns do not need major lifestyle changes. You just need to take care of them properly.

• Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush and pay close attention to the gumline where the crown meets the tooth.
• Floss every day. A water flosser can help clean around crown edges more effectively.
• Use non-abrasive toothpaste so the zirconia surface keeps its shine.
• Avoid biting hard objects like ice, hard nuts, or very hard bread. Do not use your teeth to open packaging.
• If you grind your teeth at night, wear your night guard every night.
• For the first two weeks after treatment, eat soft foods only while the bonding cement fully strengthens.

See your local dentist for a check-up about 6 to 12 months later. A quick exam or X-ray can confirm the crowns are sealed properly and the teeth underneath are healthy. Small problems are much easier and cheaper to fix early.

Most crowns settle without problems. If something feels wrong, it is usually easy to fix.

The most common issue is a crown feeling too high when you bite down. This is usually a simple adjustment that a local dentist can fix in a few minutes. Some sensitivity to cold after the teeth are prepared is also normal and usually improves within one or two weeks.

Temporary crowns can sometimes come loose before the final crowns are fitted. If this happens, contact The Hudson as soon as possible.

If something feels off, contact The Hudson first. Send a photo if you can and explain what you are feeling and when it started. The team will review the situation, speak with the clinic if needed, and tell you the next step clearly. You do not need to work out the problem on your own.

If you need an in-person check, The Hudson can refer you to a trusted local clinic. Bring your warranty card and ask for an assessment first before agreeing to treatment. If the crown needs replacement during the warranty period because of a material or placement problem, the clinic will cover it.

The payment process is simple. You pay a 10 percent deposit to confirm your booking via a secure Stripe card payment link. You receive a receipt immediately. The remaining 90 percent is paid directly at the clinic on the day of treatment. You are not sending large amounts of money before arriving.

Before any payment, The Hudson sends all payment details in writing along with a short video confirming the information.

For international transfers, Wise is usually the best option. It uses the real exchange rate and usually costs less than a normal bank transfer. On a $10,000 payment, Wise can save around $200 to $300 AUD in fees and exchange costs. It is a good idea to set up your Wise account a few days before travelling.

If you want to pay in instalments

• Splitit: divide payments across monthly instalments using your existing credit card. No new loan, no interest.
• Humm / Zip Money: for larger full-mouth cases.
• TLC Finance / Latitude Financial: longer repayment terms for larger packages.

In total, a full-mouth crown treatment in Vietnam including flights and hotel usually costs around $5,100 to $22,000 AUD depending on the material and number of teeth. The same treatment in Australia often costs $24,000 to $40,000 AUD or more. Even after travel costs, many patients still save between $5,000 and $35,000 AUD.