What is in Gold Dental Crowns?
Over the years, gold dental crowns have grown increasingly common. Due to gold's durable and long-lasting nature, many dentists see gold as the ideal substance for dental crowns. After all, it takes quite a lot to chip gold and the metal can easily withstand biting and chewing. Plus, tooth enamel and gold wear at the same rate. Obviously, gold is a good substance to use in dental crowns, but what exactly is in gold dental crowns?
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History
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In many areas of the world, gold teeth or crowns have long been considered a type of status symbol, usually reserved for only upper class individuals. However, in 1746, a French dentist by the name of Claude Mouton recommended the use of gold in dental crowns. Since then, gold has become one of the most common substances used in dental crowns.
Function
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Although often confused with fillings, dental crowns are actually quite different from fillings. Often called "caps," dental crowns are used to replace a broken or decayed tooth and unlike fillings, cover the entire tooth rather than one small portion.
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Features
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Although the name suggests that gold crowns are made entirely of gold, gold dental crowns actually consist of many different materials including tin, platinum, silver, copper, tin and gold. On average, a typical gold crown is only made up of about 75% gold.
Types
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In addition to gold, there are many other types of substances that can be used for dental crowns, with porcelain being the other most commonly used. Although less durable than gold dental crowns, many people prefer porcelain crowns because they more closely resemble the actual tooth's enamel. Other materials such as nickel, chromium and gold alloys are also often used for dental crowns.
Time Frame
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On average, a gold dental crown lasts about 10 to 15 years. Depending upon the individual's dental hygiene, the crown can last longer. When compared to the other types of dental crown materials, gold dental crowns tend to last longer than alternate substances.
Cost
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Although the cost of gold dental crowns varies, most insurance policies cover the expense of gold dental crowns. Since porcelain and ceramic crowns are considered cosmetic procedures, many insurance companies tend to cover a smaller portion of the cost. Generally however, a person can expect to be charged between $600 and $1000 per gold dental gold.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Mary R. Vogt
