Long post, but please read if you're in Trivandrum and are considering dental work anywhere. This could save you a lot of money and suffering.

Background

In early 2019, I was in a two-wheeler accident and lost 5 teeth. Painful experience physically and emotionally. I went to City Dental Clinic in Pallimukku, Trivandrum, to get them restored. The dentist there specifically recommended fully ceramic crowns — described them as the premium option, best quality, most natural-looking. He quoted ₹72,000 for all five and also promised a 15-year warranty on all of them. I paid in full. I was already stressed from the accident, he was a professional, I trusted him completely.

Within months, something was wrong

A few months after the procedure, two of the lower crowns turned visibly black. Not slightly discoloured — properly dark and blackened. I went back and he acknowledged it and said he'd replace them. I had to relocate to Chennai for a job around that time, kept delaying going back, assuming the 15-year warranty meant it would be sorted whenever I returned. That was my mistake. I should have pushed harder.

June 2026 — the truth comes out

I visited a different clinic recently for something unrelated and asked them to take a look at the crowns. What they told me was genuinely shocking:

• The 3 upper crowns were NOT fully ceramic — they were MLS crowns (metal-ceramic), which are significantly cheaper and of lower quality
• The 2 lower crowns were made from temporary dental material — literally the stuff meant to last only a few weeks. This is exactly why they went black — temporary materials degrade fast inside the mouth
• Here's the part that infuriated me: fully ceramic crowns were widely available in India in 2019. This wasn't some new technology. Any reputed dental supplier in Kerala was stocking them back then

So I paid a premium price for something, and received a completely different, inferior product — without any disclosure whatsoever.

June 21 — I went back to the clinic

I went back with the second opinion report, wanting an explanation and replacement of all 5 crowns. What I got was the dentist shouting at me. His exact positions were:

• "The warranty is the lab's responsibility, not mine" (despite having personally promised it to me)
• "There was only warranty for 3 of the 5 crowns" (completely different from the original promise)
• "Fully ceramic crowns weren't available in 2019" — an outright lie that any dental professional or supply company can disprove

He refused to offer any refund, replacement, or acknowledgement. Just denial and aggression.

What I'm doing about it

• Consumer Court (DCDRC, Trivandrum) — filed, seeking ₹3,76,800 in compensation
• Kerala Dental Council — complaint filed for professional misconduct and use of substandard materials
• Police complaint — under BNS 2023 Sec. 318(4) for cheating and criminal breach of trust

Why I'm posting this

1. Warning to everyone: Before any expensive dental procedure, ask for written confirmation of the exact material being used — brand name, grade, type. Don't just accept "ceramic" or "zirconia" verbally. Insist on it being on the receipt or prescription.

2. If you've been through something similar at this clinic or any other in Trivandrum — please reach out or comment. I have reason to believe I'm not the only one. Multiple affected patients can file a collective complaint at consumer court, which carries far more weight.

3. Legal advice from Kerala folks welcome — anyone who's gone through the consumer court process here? How long did it take, what evidence made the biggest difference?