In the early years of dentistry, there were only a few choices for material in dental restorations. Today, we have an abundance of materials from which to choose. Modern-day dental crowns may be fabricated from gold, metal alloy, ceramic, porcelain, and other high-grade materials. If a dental crown serves the same purpose regardless of material, why do we have so many choices? Dental medicine caters to the unique needs of the various people in our society. Not every person will respond the same to any given material. It is for this reason that such a variety of options is available. One material that we have found to be advantageous in many cases is gold.

There are two primary goals of dental restoration: full function, and longevity. We want our patients to get years of use out of their restorations, including fillings, inlays, onlays, and crowns. Back teeth sustain a lot of pressure from chewing, and require high quality restorative materials in order to facilitate long-lasting function. This takes us back to one of the very first materials used in dentistry, gold. It has long been an ideal material for dental restorations of all kinds, and remains a favored substance among dentists for good reason.

Among consumers, gold is not typically the first material considered for a dental crown. This material is associated with a certain appearance, and is assumed to be too much color, even for use on molar restorations. Interestingly enough, all-gold crowns on molars are barely visible, far less than a silver filling. Moreover, it is possible to have a gold sub-structure with a porcelain overlay, adding beauty to immense strength. Consumers also tend to think that gold is the more expensive option, and therefore shy away from this material. There are, however, many benefits of investing in a gold crown, such as:

• There are few restorative materials as biocompatible as gold. This substance has characteristics that are easily tolerated by surrounding tissues, leading to fewer instances of irritation of the gums, tongue, or other soft tissues that may come into contact with the crown.
• Gold allows for a better bond to teeth without the extensive removal of natural tooth structure. Leaving more of the natural tooth intact, the crown has a stronger foundation on which to rely for chewing.
• Because a larger amount of natural tooth structure can remain when gold is the chosen material, it becomes possible, in some cases, to restore full function with an inlay or onlay, rather than a full coverage dental crown.
• Unlike some other restorative materials, gold is better able to retain its structure during the fabrication process, as well as in the presence of cold or hot temperatures. A gold crown will be one of the best-fitting dental caps you will ever receive in our Kennesaw practice.
• Most dental crowns are expected to last from five to ten years. People who have had gold crowns placed find that, twenty years later, they are still going strong.

Our priority is to provide our patients with the most up-to-date treatment options. Contact us to schedule your appointment at Thirty-Two Dental today.