What comes into your mind when you hear the word “gold”? Perhaps jewelry or the fashion industry? Anything but dentistry, of course. However, here is an astounding twist: Gold has been a part of dental work for centuries, even dating back to ancient times. Well, that’s why they say old is gold. Before curiosity kills the cat, let’s dive deeper and learn more about the properties and uses of gold in dentistry.
Properties Of Gold
The material gold possesses numerous handy features, apart from being known for its aesthetics. Thanks to gold inertness, your body won’t react to any gold fillings. Most importantly, gold has immense durability that withstands any wear and tear. Consequently, gold serves as a permanent tooth crown or filling and will save you from frequent trips to the dentist’s office. Furthermore, with the help of its malleability, gold can seal perfectly, allowing the grooves of your teeth to feel natural. Bacteria won’t have any way of reaching your teeth due to this rigid layer of protection. Just a thin coat is sufficient to perform its magic, and that’s the beauty of gold. Inevitably, these properties crown gold as a top material choice for dental work.
Uses Of Gold In Dentistry
Gold is an ideal material to fix your smile, thanks to its superb characteristics. To this day, dentists use gold to restore and protect your teeth from damage. Here are some of the uses of gold in dentistry:
Small Cavities
The price of pure gold has been skyrocketing. Therefore, the application of pure gold itself has become very rare nowadays, and if affordable, it is recommended for fixing small cavities only. Although gold is expensive, it can be a permanent solution for your cavity as it can last for decades.
Inlays And Onlays
Typically, pure gold is mixed with other metals like silver and copper, forming a gold alloy. Gold alloys come in handy when fixing large cavities. Dentists use inlays and onlays to restore teeth when tooth decay is too extensive for a filling but not enough for a dental crown. As the name suggests, inlays cover the center of the teeth, and onlays cover the sides of the teeth. Due to its extensibility, you can consider calling an onlay a partial dental crown.
Dental Crowns
Another use for gold alloys can be for dental crowns. If you’ve been advised to get a dental crown. It would be best if you considered a gold alloy crown. Gold dental crowns provide many benefits comparatively. Usually, gold crowns are reserved for back teeth but if you simply admire the look of gold on your front teeth, go for it.
Conclusion:
Gold has always been your dentist’s trusted ally. Nevertheless, gold might be overshadowed by other materials due to its mint price. The price might pull gold down, but its features make this investment worth it. Therefore, visit a good dentist to discuss all potential options. Visit Brenham Family Dental or you can call us at 979-421-9685 to learn more about how we can help.