Dental Health Procedures & Treatments Gold Dental Crowns By Shawn Watson Shawn Watson Shawn Watson is an orthodontic dental assistant and writer with over 10 years of experience working in the field of dentistry. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 10, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Edmund Khoo, DDS Medically reviewed by Edmund Khoo, DDS Edmund Khoo, DDS, is board-certified in orthodontics and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Nick Blackmer Fact checked by Nick Blackmer LinkedIn Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact-checker, and researcher with more than 20 years’ experience in consumer-oriented health and wellness content. Learn about our editorial process Print Dental crowns are used for a number of reasons. Your dentist may recommend one due to loss of tooth structure or root canal treatment. You might also choose one for cosmetic improvement of your smile. There are many different types of crowns used to restore a tooth. Among those are gold crowns, which have been used in dentistry for a number of years. ra3rn/iStock/Getty Images Materials In dentistry, there are three main categories of crowns, all metal crowns, all porcelain crowns, and porcelain fused to metal (PFM). Gold crowns are a type of metal crowns. There is the option for a full gold crown made entirely of gold or a gold alloy. A gold crown may also come as a PFM, which is made from a combination of gold and porcelain. Three types of alloy are used for fabricating gold crowns: High Noble Alloy (precious metal): Made from a minimum of 60% high noble alloy. This includes gold, platinum, and palladium. If a crown uses a combination of these alloys, at least 40% must consist of gold.Noble Alloy (semi-precious metal): A noble alloy consists of 25% precious metal.Non-Noble Alloy (non-precious metal): Made from less than 25% precious metals. Benefits There are many reasons why your dentist may recommend a gold crown. For instance, gold crowns are able to withstand heavy forces from chewing and may be recommended if you exhibit heavy wear patterns on your teeth. Additionally, these crowns are less susceptible to chipping or breaking, making them a long-lasting dental restoration. If a tooth with a gold crown breaks, it is generally because the underlying tooth structure has fractured or decayed. However, gold crowns may become loose, especially if you are eating foods and candy that are harmful to crowns and bridges. Gold crowns also cause the least wear on the opposing tooth. For patients that grind their teeth or who have a heavy bite, a gold crown will typically cause the same amount of wear on the teeth, compared to the tooth’s natural enamel. Since they do have a yellow or white gold color, gold crowns are used primarily to restore molars and premolars. Some people request gold crowns on their front teeth as well. This choice is often more of a fashion statement that was popularized by well-known rappers. Allergies If you have a metal allergy, such as a nickel allergy, make sure to tell your dentist before a gold crown is fabricated. A high noble alloy that contains no nickel or other common metals that cause allergic reactions should be used carefully in these cases. Cost Many dentists have a specific base price for all of the crowns they offer their patients. However, because gold is very expensive, a gold crown may cost more than a porcelain crown. The increased cost is generally reflected in the laboratory charge, not your dentist’s fee. A Word From Verywell Gold crowns are an excellent choice for patients who are not necessarily concerned about having an entirely white smile. Gold crowns are, in fact, an attractive restoration and offer long life. If you require a crown, speak to your dentist about the different crown options that are available. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Dental Association. Materials for indirect restorations. Cleveland Clinic. Dental crowns. Jin S, Choi JW, Jeong CM, et al. Evaluating the wear of resin teeth by different opposing restorative materials. Materials. 2019;12(22):3684. doi:10.3390/ma12223684 Additional Reading ADA Council on Scientific Affairs. Direct and indirect restorative materials. J Am Dent Assoc. 2003;134(4):463-472. doi:10.14219/jada.archive.2003.0196