In this article
A gold tooth crown is a cap that fits over a tooth to restore its form and function after breakage, decay, or root canal treatment. Dentists also use gold crowns to replace missing teeth with dental bridges or partial dentures.
Gold is one of the oldest tooth repair materials in the dental industry. But laboratories can now make dental crowns from various materials, including metal, porcelain, zirconia, or porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM).
A gold crown is a type of metal crown that may be made of gold alloy or PFM that fuses gold and porcelain. Because gold in pure form is soft and malleable, laboratories mix it with other metals to create dental crowns.
Gold crowns typically consist of three types of metal alloys:1
You can expect to pay from $800 to $2500 for a gold crown. Gold crowns are a costly investment because gold is an expensive material.
The specific price you’ll pay can vary by the dental office, location, and where the crown is placed in the mouth. Usually, insurance doesn’t fully cover the cost, but it’s worth checking your coverage with your insurer.
Gold crowns have numerous benefits and are extremely durable. They’re a great option for people who have signs of heavy wear on their teeth.
Some benefits of gold crowns include:2
Most people only need to have a gold crown replaced if the tooth underneath becomes injured or decayed. They’re a great investment and cost-effective over time.
People who prefer natural tooth-colored crowns may be opposed to the highly visible color and shine of a gold crown, especially on the front teeth. However, for others, the appearance of gold crowns is part of the reason they choose this type of dental restoration.
Aside from aesthetic concerns, on rare occasions, gold crowns may trigger an allergic reaction if you have a metal allergy. Here are the side effects to look out for:3
Dental crowns differ in their materials, price points, advantages, and disadvantages.
Here’s how they compare:
Type of Crown | Advantages | Disadvantages | Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Porcelain | Aesthetically pleasing, matches surrounding teeth, toxin-free, low allergy risk | Less durable for teeth-grinders | Varies; influenced by material quality and dentist fees |
Gold | Durable and strong, suitable for back teeth | Price fluctuates with gold market, less aesthetic | Varies with gold market prices |
Porcelain Fused-to-Metal (PFM) | Durable, less expensive than pure gold or porcelain, aesthetic | Potential gray line at gum, more tooth removal,5 may not mimic natural teeth transparency, metal sensitivity risk | $500 to $1,500 per tooth, depending on alloy |
Zirconia | Very durable (“ceramic steel”)6, looks like natural teeth, possible same-day procedure | High cost, can erode opposing teeth8 | Generally upwards of $1,000 |
There are different types of dental crowns available. Gold crowns, for example, are strong, durable, and can last a lifetime with proper care.
However, some people don’t like the appearance of gold crowns. In these cases, they might choose porcelain or PFM crowns instead, which blend in with your natural teeth.
Your dentist can advise you on the type of crown that’s best for your oral health and budget.
In this article