When a patient settles into a dentist’s chair for a routine root canal or tooth restoration, they rarely question what goes into the crown being cemented onto their tooth. Yet behind clinic doors, lax oversight has left unsuspecting patients vulnerable to a shocking shortcut—dental caps cast from melted ₹5 coins and unregulated scrap alloys.
Taking serious note of the complaints about unqualified technicians and questionable materials used in dental aids, the Maharashtra government issued guidelines to regulate dental laboratories, technicians, manufacturers and suppliers.
The Medical Education Department has received over 350 complaints since 2014, a report by The Indian Express said. Complaints mainly highlight concerns over unqualified people undertaking dental laboratory work and compromising on the quality of the materials used.
Maharashtra has around 66,000 registered dentists, but qualified dental technicians are few.
How can melted coins affect your dental health
Using melted ₹5 coins for dental work is not just an unconventional shortcut—it is a chemical hazard. Minted from nickel brass (75 per cent copper, 20 per cent zinc, and 5 per cent nickel), these coins share nominal similarities with certain base-metal dental alloys. However, currency is manufactured for commercial transactions, not biocompatibility, meaning it lacks the rigorous purity and testing required for prolonged exposure to saliva, heat, and chewing friction inside the mouth.
An unregulated alloy could have poor corrosion resistance and inadequate strength. Corrosion can release metal ions into saliva, and surrounding tissues can develop allergic reactions, inflammation and tissue irritation. It could also lead to the risk of decay in the underlying tooth due to its poor fit.
The November 6 resolution by the government also provides for compliance inspections by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif said the move was intended to protect patients. “It is for the betterment of patients. They should get standardised material. Dentists also have to be careful and ensure that they provide patients with standard material,” he said.
Under the new directive, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspectors are empowered to inspect dental laboratories, vendors, and clinics, and collect product samples under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Medical Devices Rules, 2017. Operating without a valid manufacturing or sales licence—or dealing in spurious and adulterated dental supplies—will invite strict legal prosecution.
What are the metals used generally for crowning?
Dental crowns are never made from a single pure metal (as pure metals are generally too soft or lack the right structural properties). Instead, dentists use metal alloys—both for full-metal crowns and as the hidden inner core of porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns.
Dental metal alloys fall into three main categories, alongside a couple of specialised metals:
1. High-noble alloys (Precious Metals)
These contain at least 60% precious metal, with at least 40% being gold.
Gold: The primary metal used for durability, corrosion resistance, and a precise fit. It is gentle on opposing natural teeth and rarely chips or breaks.
Platinum & palladium: Added to gold to increase its hardness and strength so it can withstand heavy chewing forces.
Copper & silver: Mixed in small quantities to improve strength and workability.
2. Noble Alloys (Semi-Precious Metals)
These contain at least 25% precious metal.
Palladium: Often the main component in semi-precious crowns, offering high strength and tarnish resistance at a lower cost than high-gold alloys.
Silver: Frequently combined with palladium and smaller amounts of gold or copper.
3. Base Metal Alloys (Non-Precious Metals)
These contain less than 25% precious metal (often none at all) and are valued for being strong, lightweight, and budget-friendly.
Cobalt & chromium (Co-Cr): Widely used in modern dentistry because they are very strong, corrosion-resistant, and generally well-tolerated by the body.
Nickel & chromium (Ni-Cr): Very durable and economical, though dentists avoid them for patients with known nickel allergies.
Other specialised metals
Titanium: Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and highly biocompatible. It is often chosen for patients with metal sensitivities or for crowns placed over titanium dental implants.
Stainless Steel: Used almost exclusively as pre-formed temporary crowns for adults (while waiting for a permanent crown) or to protect primary (baby) teeth in children.
