The Pros and Cons of Gold Alloy Crowns
By Peter Scerbo | Published on October 13, 2010 | 0 Comments
Gold is a great material that has really gotten a bad reputation in the dental community, explains Dr. Peter Scerbo at Florida Smiles Dental in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. When it comes to dental crowns, gold is a very strong material that will oftentimes last even longer than porcelain restorations.
Dr. Scerbo says that many people get hung up on the aesthetic aspects of having gold in their mouths. Few people these days want to have gold crowns showing, especially when tooth-colored porcelain crowns are so abundant and relatively inexpensive. Dr. Scerbos believes that is one of the main reasons why gold dental crowns have fallen out of favor with the patients he sees in Fort Lauderdale.
Dr. Scerbo goes on to explain that for the most part, gold is a great material that lasts a very long time. In fact, gold happens to be the closest material to that of the natural tooth structure. This makes gold crowns less likely to wear away over time.
Gold crowns are also less likely to wear down the teeth that surround the crown, lessening the chances that someone will lose enamel on his upper tooth. Crowns made of other materials are generally more likely to wear down the opposing tooth directly above or below the affected crown. These are all major benefits to choosing gold crowns, which is why Dr. Scerbo likes to give patients this option.
On the other hand, a number of drawbacks apply to gold crowns as well. Cosmetically, the look is far from appealing. Depending on where the affected tooth is within the mouth, a gold crown can sometimes stick out in photos and cause embarrassment to the wearer.
Another downside to gold crowns has to do with price. Gold restorations have always been more expensive than other types of restorations, but Dr. Scerbo says this problem has been exacerbated by the increasing price of gold throughout the markets. For those looking to spend as little as possible on dental restoration, gold crowns are usually taken out of the picture right away due to their high cost.
Presently, Dr. Scerbo says that the disadvantages of gold crowns tend to outweigh the benefits. Nonetheless, he thinks that it’s important for patients to know that gold crowns are superior in a number of ways and should always be considered whenever new dental work is necessary.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.