There are many different types of crowns used to restore a tooth. Here, we take a look at gold crowns and why they have been used in dentistry for a number of years.
Gold crowns are one of the classic types of dental crowns used in dentistry. There are two types of gold crowns used to restore a tooth. The full gold crown is made entirely from gold or gold alloy. A porcelain fused to metal crown (PFM) is made from a combination of gold and porcelain. In regards to the gold, there are three types of alloy used for fabricating gold crowns:
-High Noble Alloy – Precious Metal – Made from, at a minimum, 60% high noble alloy. This includes gold, platinum and palladium. If using a combination of these alloys, at least 40% must consist of gold.
-Noble Alloy – Semi Precious Metal – A noble alloy consists of 25% precious metal.
-Non-Noble Alloy – Non-Precious Metal – Made from less than 25% precious metals, noble alloy generally is made from a combination of nickle, chromium, and gold.Should I Consider a Gold Crown?
Selecting a gold crown for your tooth is a personal choice, however your dentist may recommend a gold crown if you exhibit heavy wear patterns on your teeth. People with metal allergies, such as a nickle allergy , should ensure their dentist is made aware of their allergy before a gold crown is fabricated. High noble alloy that contains no nickle or other common metals that cause allergic reactions should be carefully used if you do in fact have a metal allergy.
Does a Gold Crown Cost More?
Many dentists have a specific base price for all of the crowns they offer their patients, however because gold is a very expensive alloy, a gold crown may cost more than a porcelain crown. The increase cost is generally reflected in the laboratory charge, not your dentists fee.
The Gold Standard: l personally am not a fan of crowns because of the total reshaping of the tooth, if you can fill the tooth its much better choice. Filling materials also have other pros and cons, the biggest issue being the toxic metals infilling like Mercury, Nickel and Palladium. These metals have no place in filling as they are either poisoning allergic or carcinogenic. Polymer fillings can be used but make sure they are BPA, Flouride free and free of other toxins. Good luck on your next Dental treatment