Restorative Dentistry

CAD/CAM Dental Crowns
In Chandigarh — Emax and Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia and Emax ceramic crowns designed, prepared, and placed to the standard you would expect at a US dental practice. 3D-scanned, precision-prepared, and fabricated at the top labs in India.

Duration

60 min

Pain Level

Minimal

Book Your Consultation

— Understanding the Procedure

When is a dental crown needed?

A dental crown is a full-coverage ceramic restoration that encases the visible portion of a tooth above the gumline. It restores the tooth’s shape, strength, and appearance when the remaining tooth structure is insufficient to support a filling alone — most commonly after significant decay, a crack, a fracture, or following root canal treatment.

Dr. Sandhu assesses each tooth individually to determine whether a crown is indicated, or whether a more conservative option — such as an inlay or onlay — would preserve more tooth structure with an equally durable result. A crown is recommended only when the clinical evidence supports it.

At Tricity Smiles, every crown is documented with pre-treatment and post-treatment photographs, a post-insertion radiograph to confirm seating, and a flossability check to ensure the contact area can be maintained hygienically. These steps are standard in the US and at Tricity Smiles — and absent in most dental clinics across India.

Dental model with a tooth-coloured ceramic crown on a molar

Crown Materials

Not all crowns are the same material

Three main types of dental crown exist. Here is how they compare — and which ones we offer and recommend.

 PFM Rarely OfferedZirconia OfferedEmax (Lithium Disilicate)
Offered
Full namePorcelain-Fused-to-MetalZirconia ceramicLithium disilicate (Emax)
StructureMetal coping with porcelain overlaySolid or multilayered zirconia blockPressed or milled lithium disilicate ceramic
StrengthGood — but porcelain chips over timeExcellent — extremely fracture-resistantVery good — strong enough for most teeth
AestheticsAcceptable — dark metal margin visible over timeVery good — especially with multilayered zirconiaExceptional — the most lifelike translucency available
Best forLegacy use — largely replaced by ceramicsBack teeth, bruxers, high-force areasFront teeth, visible areas, high-aesthetic cases
Metal contentYes — metal copingNoneNone
Gum responseMetal can cause grey gum margin over timeExcellent gum compatibilityExcellent gum compatibility
Longevity10–15 years (porcelain chip risk)15–25+ years with good care15–20+ years with good care
Starting priceOn request — specific indication onlyFrom ₹15,000Higher — discussed at consultation
PFM Rarely Offered
Zirconia Offered
Emax Offered
 
 

Why the type and manufacturer of zirconia matters

Not all zirconia crowns are equal. Zirconia is available across a wide spectrum — from low-cost monolithic blocks of unknown provenance to premium multilayered zirconia from manufacturers such as Kuraray Noritake, Ivoclar Vivadent, and 3M. The grade of zirconia directly affects its translucency, flexural strength, colour stability, and long-term wear properties. At Tricity Smiles, the material and manufacturer used for your crown is disclosed at consultation. We use premium, named materials — not whatever the lab has on hand.
Preparation & Precision

Crown preparation — where most problems begin

The quality of a crown is determined as much by how the tooth is prepared as by what material is used. A poorly prepared tooth means a poorly fitting crown — regardless of how expensive the ceramic is.

01

High-Magnification Loupes

Crown preparation requires working at a level of detail invisible to the naked eye — precise margins, consistent reduction depths, smooth surfaces with no undercuts. Dr. Sandhu uses high-magnification loupes throughout preparation to identify and correct any defect in the preparation design before the scan is taken.

02

Electric Handpieces

Air-driven drills operate at variable speeds and generate heat inconsistently. Electric handpieces deliver precise, controlled cutting at consistent torque — less heat, less vibration, more tactile feedback. For crown preparation, where margins must be exact and pulp protection matters, electric handpieces are the correct tool.

03

Proper Margins

The margin is where the crown meets the tooth. An imprecise or poorly designed margin creates a gap where bacteria accumulate, leading to secondary decay beneath the crown. At Tricity Smiles, margins are placed and refined with precision instruments to ensure the crown seals completely against the tooth.

04

Shade Selection & Photography

Shade matching is done before preparation begins — when the tooth is hydrated and natural — using shade guides and calibrated clinical photographs. These photographs are sent to the lab alongside the 3D scan so the technician can match the exact colour, translucency, and characterisation of your adjacent teeth.

— 3D Intraoral Scanning

Why we scan instead of take impressions

Traditional dental impressions involve placing a tray filled with putty-like material in the patient’s mouth and holding it there while it sets. For patients with a gag reflex, or simply for anyone who finds this uncomfortable, it is one of the least pleasant parts of the dental experience. It is also one of the least accurate steps in crown fabrication.

At Tricity Smiles, we use a 3D intraoral scanner — a small handheld camera wand that captures a precise digital model of your prepared tooth, your bite, and the surrounding teeth in minutes. No material, no discomfort, no waiting for impressions to set and harden.

The digital scan is transmitted directly to the lab — instantly, with no dimensional distortion from physical handling or pouring. This is one of the most significant improvements in crown fabrication of the last decade, and it is the reason we are not limited to using local Chandigarh labs. The scan goes to whoever is the best lab for your specific case — anywhere in India.

Traditional Impression
3D Intraoral Scan
Patient Experience
Putty tray in mouth, held for minutes. Can trigger gag reflex.
Handheld wand scans in minutes. No material, no discomfort.
Accuracy
Can distort as it sets, during handling, and during lab pouring.
Dimensional accuracy to within microns. No physical distortion.
Transmission to Lab
Physical model couriered — risk of damage or delay in transit.
Digital file transmitted instantly to any lab in India.
Lab Selection
Limited to local labs that can receive physical impressions.
Access to the best dental labs in India — no geographical limit.
Crown Fit
Fit depends on impression quality, pouring accuracy, and handling.
Consistently superior fit — fewer adjustments at insertion.

— Lab Quality

Using the best labs in India — not just the nearest

Most dental clinics in Chandigarh send crown work to local labs — because convenience and established relationships make this the easiest choice. The quality of the local lab rarely comes into the conversation.

At Tricity Smiles, our 3D digital workflow means we are not geographically constrained. Each crown case is sent to the most appropriate lab based on the clinical requirements — whether that is a front tooth that requires exceptional shade characterisation and translucency, or a back tooth that demands maximum strength in high-grade zirconia.

We work with labs that use named, verified materials from leading manufacturers and can provide technical documentation for every crown fabricated. This means you know exactly what material is in your mouth — the grade of zirconia, the manufacturer, the firing protocol. This is the standard of care in the US and it is what we hold ourselves to in Chandigarh.

The philosophy is simple: a crown is a long-term investment in a tooth you want to keep for decades. The extra cost of a premium material and a top-tier lab is negligible compared to the cost of a crown that fails and needs replacing — with all the additional tooth reduction, time, and expense that entails.

Single tooth-coloured ceramic molar crown on a grey background
Book Your Consultation
WhatsApp Us
What to Watch Out For

Two practices that damage more than they help

These are common across dental clinics in India. They are presented as routine — but they are not evidence-based, and they cost patients more than they save.

Not Evidence-Based

Routine root canals before crowning

In many dental clinics across India, a root canal treatment is performed on every tooth before a crown is placed — as a blanket policy rather than a clinical decision. The reasoning sometimes given is that it prevents sensitivity or future problems under the crown.

Root canal treatment is only indicated when there is clinical or radiographic evidence of pulp pathology. Not as a precaution before crowning.

Performing root canal treatment on a tooth with a healthy, vital pulp devitalises the tooth unnecessarily. A devitalised tooth becomes more brittle over time, is more prone to fracture, and no longer has the sensory feedback that warns you when something is wrong. If the pulp is healthy, it should stay healthy — and at Tricity Smiles, we do not perform root canal treatment unless there is a clear clinical indication. Your pulp vitality is checked and documented before any decision is made.

Creates Long-Term Problems

Joining crowns together (splinting)

Splinting — joining two or more adjacent crowns into a single unit — is a common practice in India, sometimes done to simplify laboratory work, sometimes to fill the space of a missing tooth as part of a bridge, and sometimes with no clear clinical rationale at all.

Adjacent crowns should be individual restorations unless a bridge is specifically required to replace a missing tooth.

When crowns are joined, the contact point between them becomes a non-cleansible area. Flossing becomes impossible or extremely difficult. Food and bacteria accumulate in an area the patient cannot access, leading to gum inflammation, bone loss, and secondary decay. If one crown in a splinted unit cracks or fails, the entire unit — often spanning three or more teeth — must be replaced. The cost, the additional tooth reduction, and the trauma to the patient are entirely avoidable if each tooth is restored individually from the outset. At Tricity Smiles, we place individual crowns wherever clinically appropriate and explain clearly why before any treatment begins.

— Our Philosophy

What to ask your dentist before saying yes to a crown.

A dental crown is one of the most significant restorations in dentistry. It involves reducing a real tooth, committing to a specific material, and trusting a specific lab and a specific dentist to execute it correctly. Before you proceed, these are the questions every patient should ask — and the answers you should be getting.

Do you use magnification loupes?

Crown margins must be precise to micron-level accuracy. Without magnification, preparation defects are invisible to the dentist and translate directly into a poorly fitting crown.

Do you use electric or air-driven handpieces?

Electric handpieces provide consistent speed, less heat, and better tactile feedback. Air-driven drills are less precise and generate more heat — a concern for the pulp during crown preparation.

Do you take photographs and match the shade precisely?

Shade matching should happen before preparation begins and clinical photographs sent to the lab. A crown colour-matched by eye without photographs often looks different from adjacent natural teeth.

Do you take a 3D scan or a traditional impression?

A 3D intraoral scan is more accurate, more comfortable, and removes the dimensional distortion introduced by physical impression materials. It also allows access to the best labs in India, not just local ones.

Which lab fabricates your crowns, and what material will be used?

The grade and manufacturer of zirconia or Emax directly affects strength, aesthetics, and longevity. A dentist who cannot tell you the specific material and lab used for your crown cannot guarantee its quality.

Will the crown be cemented or bonded, and why?

The correct luting protocol depends on the crown material and preparation design. Emax crowns require adhesive bonding for optimal strength. Using the wrong cement on the wrong material reduces longevity significantly.

Will you take before and after photos of the final crown?

Clinical documentation is standard practice in the US and absent in most Indian clinics. Before and after photographs give you a record of the work performed and are essential for future reference.

Will you take an X-ray to confirm the crown is seated properly?

A post-insertion radiograph confirms that the crown is fully seated against the prepared margin. An unseated crown creates a gap that leads to bacterial ingress and secondary decay — visible on X-ray but invisible clinically.

Can I floss around the crown after insertion?

Every crown should allow floss to pass through the contact point with the adjacent tooth. A crown that cannot be flossed is a crown that will accumulate plaque and bacteria at the margin — leading to gum disease and bone loss over time.
At Tricity Smiles, the answer to every one of these questions is yes — as standard, not as an optional upgrade. This is the level of care you would receive at a dental practice in the United States, and it is the level of care Dr. Sandhu brought back from his training at USC and UCSF.

A crown done right is protection that lasts. It is a tooth that does not need to be touched again for fifteen to twenty years. It is a margin that seals, a contact that can be cleaned, a material that does not chip or stain, and a shade that matches so well your closest friends will not notice it is there.

That is what we are building when we place a crown at Tricity Smiles. And that is why we pay attention to every detail on that list, every single time.
Book Your Consultation

—   FAQ

Dental crown FAQs

Common questions about zirconia crowns, Emax crowns, crown preparation, and what to expect in Chandigarh.

How much does a dental crown cost in Chandigarh?

Zirconia crowns at Tricity Smiles start from ₹15,000. Emax crowns are priced higher and discussed at consultation depending on clinical indication. PFM crowns are available in specific clinical situations only. All costs are discussed and agreed before treatment begins — no hidden charges.

Zirconia crowns are extremely strong and fracture-resistant — ideal for back teeth under high biting forces. Emax (lithium disilicate) crowns offer superior natural translucency and aesthetics, making them the preferred choice for front teeth where appearance is the priority. The right material depends on the tooth location, biting forces, and aesthetic requirements of each individual case.
No — not as a routine step. Root canal treatment is only performed when there is clinical or radiographic evidence of pulp damage or infection. Many teeth that need crowns have healthy pulps and do not require root canal treatment. Performing root canal treatment on every tooth before crowning is not evidence-based and unnecessarily devitalises healthy teeth.
Not all zirconia is the same. The grade and manufacturer of zirconia directly affects its translucency, flexural strength, colour stability, and long-term durability. Premium multilayered zirconia from leading manufacturers performs significantly better than low-cost generic alternatives. At Tricity Smiles, the material and manufacturer used for your crown is disclosed at consultation.
A 3D intraoral scan is more accurate, more comfortable, and removes the dimensional distortion introduced by physical impression materials. It transmits digitally to any lab in India instantly, allowing access to the best dental labs rather than being limited by geography. The result is a consistently better-fitting crown with fewer chairside adjustments at insertion.
No — unless a bridge is specifically required to replace a missing tooth. Joining crowns on adjacent teeth creates an area that cannot be cleaned, trapping bacteria and leading to gum disease and bone loss. If one splinted crown fails, the entire unit must be replaced. At Tricity Smiles, individual crowns are placed individually wherever clinically appropriate.

For Patients — Share This Link

After your crown is placed

What to expect and how to care for your new crown.
Immediately After
  • Avoid hard or sticky foods for 24 hours
  • Some sensitivity to temperature is normal for a few days
  • If the bite feels high, call us — a minor adjustment resolves this quickly
Long-Term Care
  • Brush along the crown margin (where the crown meets the gum) twice daily
  • Floss daily — pass the floss through the contact and curve it around the crown
  • Attend your regular cleaning and check-up appointments
  • Avoid biting very hard objects — ice, hard candy, nutshells
  • Avoid grinding or clenching — ask about a night guard if indicated
Signs to Contact Us
  • Crown feels loose or movement is felt when biting
  • Sensitivity that worsens rather than settles over 2 weeks
  • Pain when biting down

Crown came loose or you have pain?

Call us — Mon–Fri 10–7, Sat 10–2
Call Us

Related reading: Types of dental crowns  ·  Zirconia crowns explained  ·  E-Max crowns explained

Protection that lasts.

Book your crown consultation with Dr. Sandhu. Premium materials, precision preparation, and a standard of care that gives you a crown built to last for decades.

Book Your Consultation
View all Services

5★

Google Rating

5-star

rated on Google

20+

Years Experience