What You Should Know About Gold Dental Crowns
Gold crowns are not for everyone, but many people choose them for their value and restorative properties. If you need to get a crown placed over one of your natural teeth, ask your dentist about getting a crown made of gold alloy. Here are some things to know about these types of crowns.
What are gold crowns made of?
This will depend on the type of crown you get. Some gold crowns are made of gold alloy, which includes a combination of gold and other metals. Other crowns are much higher in value and are made of solid gold. There are also some gold crowns that are made with gold and porcelain, where the porcelain is fused to a gold crown. Gold-alloy crowns may include any number of precious or non-precious metals, including platinum, palladium, nickel, and chromium, along with gold.
Why should you get a gold crown?
There are two reasons to get a gold crown: for cosmetic purposes and restorative purposes. Dentists will sometimes recommend this type of crown because gold crowns are very strong and can handle a lot of force from biting and chewing. They also last a long time in comparison to other crown options. If you have a tooth that has fractured or recently had a root canal performed, that tooth is now susceptible to breaking or falling out completely. With a gold crown, you can protect the natural tooth and prevent the need for a partial or dental implant.
Gold crowns are also great at not wearing the nearby teeth. Gold crowns take about the same wear as your natural enamel. While they are usually for molars, you can also get them for the front of your teeth, especially if you want gold crowns for cosmetic purposes.
Are there any risks with gold crowns?
Gold crowns are a safe and effective alternative to porcelain and other types of crowns. The only real risk involved with these crowns is in the metal itself. If you have a nickel allergy, for example, make sure you do not get a gold alloy crown. It might contain some percentage of nickel and can make you very ill. If you have any type of metal allergies, it is best to stick to other types of crowns.
Aside from that, they can be very beneficial if you don't mind making a large investment for a gold crown. Since gold is a high-priced metal, expect to pay more for these crowns. Contact a dentist like Alliance Family Dental for more information.