Introduction: Like any business, a dental laboratory technician wonders how to price their prosthetic replacements. To determine the price, we need to know the types of costs and the time required for a specific treatment, and we need to set the price to ensure the profit and growth of the company. We know several types of costs in the production of metal-ceramic and full-ceramic veneers made of zirconium oxide. Costs have a complex and intricate structure and play an important role from the patient's perspective. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to compare the cost of metal-ceramic crowns and full-ceramic crowns made of zirconium oxide. We want to determine which type of coating will require more time, material, and labor resources, and what value these factors have on the final price. Methods: The first part of the thesis uses a descriptive research method. We reviewed Slovenian and English articles published between 2010 and 2025. In the second part of the thesis, we created a bridge 21-23, made in a dental laboratory under the guidance of the mentor. When we made three bound covers from two different materials, we recorded the data we need to calculate our own price. Results: All data from the practical part are presented in tables, as they are more readable that way. Results are divided into indirect and direct costs. The out-of-pocket cost of 3 bonded metal-porcelain crowns is €424.38, and the out-of-pocket cost of 3 bonded full-ceramic crowns made of zirconium oxide is €384.37. There is no significant difference in price, as time is a crucial component for laboratory dental prosthetics. Results: All data from the practical part are presented in tables, as they are more readable that way. Results are divided into indirect and direct costs. The out-of-pocket cost of 3 bonded metal-porcelain crowns is €424.38, and the out-of-pocket cost of 3 bonded full-ceramic crowns made of zirconium oxide is €384.37. There is no significant difference in price, as time is a crucial component for laboratory dental prosthetics. Discussion and conclusion: The metal-ceramic bridge and the full-ceramic zirconium oxide bridge are two of the most commonly used dental prostheses in dentistry, although they are completely different in terms of their construction and properties. Metallic-ceramic fixed crowns are made in the classical way, while 3 fixed full-ceramic crowns made of zirconium oxide are made with CAD/CAM technology. This refers to computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing, which is increasingly used in modern times. Experience and knowledge are components that influence the work of a laboratory dental prosthetist, which in turn affects the price itself. The quality of restorations depends on the materials used, the precision of fabrication, and the expertise of the dental laboratory technician. Full-ceramic zirconia bridges provide high aesthetic quality and long-term durability, whereas metal-ceramic bridges ensure reliable mechanical strength and stability. Cost optimization when selecting a particular restoration depends on the complexity of fabrication, the use of CAD/CAM technology, material costs, and the expertise of the laboratory. With modern digital technologies, it is possible to achieve an optimal balance between quality and cost.
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