If you recently have the painful experience of chipping your teeth or have had to get a cavity filled, you’re perhaps panicking, thinking you’ve ruined your great smile forever.

But fear not! For there are widespread and reliable options to restore your broken teeth. One of the most common and recommended among them is gold.

Gold is a malleable yet solid and long-lasting material for the restoration of your teeth. That’s why it’s preferred by most dentists.

But what is dental gold? Are all kinds of gold fit for the mouth?

In this article, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about dental gold. So without further ado, let’s get started!

What Is Dental Gold?

Gold is the most favored type of metal for all kinds of dental restoration because of its durability in the oral environment and against saliva.

People opt for this type of restoration for the following reasons:

• To strengthen a weakened tooth from fracturing
• To cover discolored teeth
• To fill the opening left by a root canal or a dental implant
• To fix a chipped or cracked tooth
• To serve as a tooth replacement
• To align your bite
• For aesthetic purposes

However, not all kinds of gold can be used for this procedure. Pure 24k gold cannot be used for it is too soft and malleable for your oral activities. It would not be able to resist damage amidst constant biting, chomping, and saliva exposure. Over time, it will be deformed and ruined.

Dental Gold Is the Ideal Substitute for Pure Gold

It is a 16k gold alloy, which is a mixture of base and noble metals to give your teeth the strength and durability it needs for eating, biting, and other dental activities.

Some of these metals are Silver, Tin, Copper, Palladium, Filling, Titanium, and Platinum. Each component is necessary for the solidness and toughness of the fixtures. Without one, there is a possibility to deform and ruin it, eventually needing it to have it replaced.

What are the Types of Dental Gold?

When you want to buy a gold crown, the first thing you think about is the kind you’ll get.

There are many different types of gold crowns depending on materials, cost, procedures, and aesthetics. Here are the following:

1. Precious metal (high noble alloy)

This alloy is made from 60% high noble metal alloys like platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, palladium, and copper. The 40% of the alloy must be strictly gold.

2. Semi-precious metal (noble alloy)

This alloy must have at least 25% noble metal content, including gold.

3. Non-precious metal (non-noble alloy)

This alloy is referred to as base metal. It is usually made up of less than 25% noble metal content by weight. They often contain nickel, chromium, beryllium, cobalt, and gold.

Does it Matter Which Type of Dental Gold Is Used in Your Teeth?

Knowing the type of alloy used in your teeth is very important. Here’s why:

• It will determine the price you pay. Keep in mind that the greater the percentage of noble metals that an alloy contains, the higher the price will be.

• The metal composition is a great factor in the color and appearance of your gold crown. Dental golds usually appear as white, silver, or yellow. Dentists prefer yellow-colored alloy to have a more natural look. But in the end, it’s still up to your preference.

• You might be allergic to specific types of formulation of dental gold. Studies have shown that allergic reactions are commonly triggered in some patients because of nickel, chromium, palladium, and cobalt.

Why Should You Get a Dental Gold Crown?

Besides the glowing and unique smile you’ll have after getting a gold tooth crown, it also provides a lot of positive benefits.

The main advantages of dental gold include the following:

• Dental gold is strong. They are solid and highly resistant to corrosion, fracture, and wear due to their components. It seals well to prevent leakage and recurrent tooth decay. It will not crack or chip under pressure, because the other metals are flexible enough to withstand even the heaviest bite.

• Dental gold is one of the most long-lasting methods of dental restoration in the history of dentistry. They can last a lifetime if properly cared for. Very resistant to wear while gently to adjacent teeth. They wear down very slowly, just like natural enamel. The process of making a gold crown requires so much more precision, which means that the restoration will take a much longer time and effort before it fails.

• Dental gold is one of the most biocompatible materials for the body. Thus, our body rarely reacts to dental gold. It has high compatibility with gum tissue. It is also highly resistant to oral acid, bacteria, cavities, and corrosion. It easily holds up to the force of chewing and other oral movements.

• Dental gold crowns are physically compatible with our bodies. The process of making a gold crown is in accordance with our actual teeth. It is carefully shaped in a way that’s more anatomically correct. Our gums react to an over-contoured or under-contoured crown and precision of shape can only be attained with dental gold.

• Dental gold does not damage the surrounding teeth. Only a minimal amount of tooth extraction is needed when doing the procedure. It is also as soft as enamel, so it’s an ideal option for patients who grind their teeth.

How Much Does Dental Gold Cost?

You can expect a dental gold crown to generally cost in the range of $500 to $1500. Some dentists charge beyond this, depending on their methods.

Prices may vary according to the type of dental gold and materials used, like the base or precious alloys. There are additional costs for special techniques and services.

Procedural costs also depend on the dental clinic’s location. It’s not uncommon for dental offices in big cities to charge substantially more expensive fees than the ones from the small towns.

Now that you know all about dental gold, it’s time to make up your mind and invest in your smile. Keep on top of your oral health today and book your appointment today.