Understanding The Difference Between Dental Gold & Regular Gold

At Morrison Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Eric Morrison specializes in gold work including crowns, fillings, inlays & onlays, and much more. Gold is malleable yet strong, and one of the most long-lasting materials for restoring your smile.

But is dental gold the same as regular gold? What’s the difference? In this blog, we’ll take a look at what you need to know about the differences and similarities between regular gold and dental gold. Let’s get started now.

What Is Dental Gold? Understanding How It Differs From Regular Gold

As you may have already guessed, dental gold is not exactly the same as regular gold. Pure gold is very malleable, and is not ideal for use in the mouth, where the forces of chewing may deform the metal.

For this reason, pure (24k) gold is not used for dental crowns or other dental work. Instead, an alloy of gold and other metals is used. These alloys are useful because they can augment the strength of gold, while maintaining its unique properties, like corrosion resistance and durability.

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There are three basic types of dental gold alloy, as follows:

Precious metal (high noble alloy) – This alloy is made from a minimum of 60% high noble metal alloys, usually including gold, palladium, and platinum. 40% of the metal content must be gold
Semi-precious metal (noble alloy) – This type of alloy is made from a minimum of 25% precious metal, including gold
Non-noble alloy (non-precious metal) – Usually made from a blend of chromium, nickel, and gold, this type of alloy contains some gold, but less than 25% precious metal by weight

The higher the percentage of gold and noble metals is in the alloy, the less likely the dental work is to corrode or oxidize in the mouth. This is because gold and other noble metals are immune to corrosion and damage from oral acid.

Why Is Gold Used For Dental Work? Understanding The Benefits

There are a number of great reasons that gold is still used for dental work instead of porcelain and other ceramic materials. First, gold is able to easily hold up to the force of chewing. It will not crack or chip under pressure, because the gold and other metals are flexible enough to withstand even the heaviest bite.

Additionally, gold crowns and fillings do not contribute to additional wear on the opposing tooth. The metal is about the same softness as enamel, so it’s a good option for patients who grind their teeth.

Gold dental work is also highly resistant to oral acid, bacteria, and to corrosion, so it’s one of the most long-lasting methods of dental restoration available. Gold crowns and other gold-based dental work can easily last decades with proper care, and it’s not unheard of for gold restorations to last 50 years.

Learn More About The Benefits Of Dental Gold At Morrison Cosmetic Dentistry

Interested in restoring your smile with a gold filling, inlay or onlay, or dental crown? At Morrison Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Eric Morrison is here to help. Contact us online to learn more about our services, or call us at (301) 637-0719 for an appointment, and get started right away.