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Dental Crowns
A crown covers a damaged tooth completely and restores its shape and strength. Our dentists lead crown work and match each crown's colour to your neighbouring teeth.
A crown is a cap that fits over the whole visible part of a tooth. We use one when a filling can no longer hold the tooth together, when a root-treated tooth needs protection, or when an old crown has failed.
At our Malad West clinic, our dentists lead crown work. We start with the tooth next to it, because a front crown that is a half-shade off is noticed in every photograph. We choose the material by the tooth's position and how hard you bite.
The tooth is shaped under local anaesthesia, a temporary crown holds the place, and the finished crown is fitted at the second visit.
When dental crowns can help
- A large filling keeps breaking, or a cusp has cracked off
- A tooth has had a root canal and now has little natural structure left
- An old crown has come loose, or a dark line shows at the gum
- A tooth is worn down from grinding or acid
- A tooth is badly shaped or discoloured and a laminate would not give enough strength
- A cracked tooth hurts when you bite and release
Your options
Zirconia crowns
Metal-free ceramic that is very strong. It suits back teeth and heavy biters, and we also use it on front teeth when strength matters. The edge at the gum stays tooth-coloured.
Zirconia with E-max layering
A zirconia core for strength with an E-max surface for the translucency of natural enamel. We used this on a single upper front tooth in one of our cases, copying the colour shift of its neighbour. Best where the crown is seen.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM)
A metal shell under porcelain. It has a long record and a lower cost, but the metal can show as a dark line at the gum over the years.
What happens, step by step
- 1
First visit: exam and X-ray
We examine the tooth and take a LASER RVG X-ray to check the root and the bone. If the tooth needs a root canal first, we do that before the crown. We agree the material and shade with you.
- 2
Shaping and impressions
Under local anaesthesia we trim the tooth evenly all round and take a precise impression. You usually feel pressure and vibration rather than sharp pain. This usually takes around an hour.
A root-filled molar cut in half, with the lost walls rebuilt and a curved edge shaped at the gum line, ready for the crown to be made. Illustration: Khalid Aletaibi, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0), one panel cropped - 3
Temporary crown
A temporary crown protects the tooth while the lab makes the final one. It can feel slightly bulky. Avoid sticky food on that side.
- 4
Second visit: fitting
We check the fit, the bite and the colour before cementing. If anything looks off, we adjust it then, not after you leave.
The finished crown bonded over the rebuilt tooth. Its edge sits at the gum line, where it can be cleaned and checked. Illustration: Khalid Aletaibi, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0), one panel cropped
From our case studies
All case studies →
A crown for Dhawal, who is a dentist himself
1 zirconia crown with E-max layering on an upper central incisor
Faujiya's temporary bridge gave out
3 metal-free zirconia crowns on the front teeth
Matching two front teeth
Composite filling on tooth 11 and a zirconia crown on the adjacent central incisor
Akshay's uneven front teeth
Root canal treatment and metal-free ceramic crowns on both lateral incisors, and laminates on the central incisors and canines
Real cases from our clinic, shared with each patient's consent. Results differ from person to person.
After treatment
- Wait until the anaesthesia wears off before eating or drinking anything hot
- Brush and floss normally, and slide the floss out sideways rather than lifting it up at the crown edge
- Mild sensitivity to cold for a few days is common; tell us if it persists
- If you grind your teeth at night, ask us about a night guard to protect the crown
- Do not use crowns to open bottles or bite hard objects
- Come back for a check-up every six months
When we suggest something else
A crown removes more tooth than a filling or a laminate, so we do not suggest it when a lesser repair will last. A medium-sized cavity is usually better treated with a composite filling, and a front tooth with only a cosmetic complaint may need just a laminate or bonding.
If the tooth is cracked below the gum or has too little root support, a crown will not save it. In that case we discuss extraction followed by a bridge or an implant. We will say so plainly at the exam.
Cost
Typical cost across Mumbai
- Zirconia crown, per tooth
- ₹8,000 to ₹20,000
- PFM (porcelain-fused-to-metal) crown, per tooth
- ₹3,000 to ₹9,000
Layered zirconia from premium labs sits at the top of the range.
Ranges published by Mumbai clinics and price guides, checked October 2026: WhatClinic, DocIndia, Sabka Dentist. These are not our prices.
What changes the cost
- The material: zirconia, layered E-max and metal-ceramic are priced differently
- How many crowns you need and where they sit in the mouth
- Whether the tooth needs a root canal, a post or a core build-up first
- Whether an old crown must be removed
- The shade-matching work needed for visible front teeth
Visit us for a detailed quote. We examine your teeth and give you a written estimate before any treatment starts.
Who treats you
- Dr. (Lt.Col) Suresh Isawe, Founder & Senior Surgeon (BDS (Mumbai, 1981), PGDPC, MIAO (USA))
Questions patients ask
Does getting a crown hurt?
The tooth is numbed with local anaesthesia, so you usually feel pressure rather than pain. The gum can be sore for a day or two after shaping. Ordinary pain relief is usually enough.
How long does a crown last?
It depends on your bite, your cleaning and any night-time grinding. Many crowns last ten years or more, though no one can promise a number. The tooth underneath still needs care, because decay can start at the crown edge.
Can I get a crown in one visit?
A crown usually takes two visits, about a week apart, because it is made in a lab to your shade and bite. A temporary crown covers the tooth in between. A root canal or build-up first adds visits.
Can a crown be whitened later?
No. Ceramic does not change colour with whitening. If you plan to whiten, do it first and match the crown to the new shade, as we did for one visiting patient.
Why does the tooth under my crown hurt?
Common reasons are a high bite, gum irritation or decay at the edge. Come in for a check; a small bite adjustment often solves it.
Can a crown be fitted over a root canal tooth?
Yes, and it is usually advised on back teeth, since a root-treated tooth is more brittle. We confirm the root filling on X-ray before shaping.
Typical Duration
Usually 2 visits, about a week apart, plus any root canal or build-up first
Visit Us in Malad West
A-102, Marve Link Appt., 1st Floor, Marve Road, Mith Chowky, Malad (W), Mumbai 400064
- Monday – Saturday: 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed