Using gold teeth is not something new. Traditionally, this metal was used to replace missing teeth, fill cavities, and used as gold crowns, since it is a biocompatible material that the body and tissue wouldn’t reject. At the time, it was not taken into consideration long-term consequences. But, currently, most dentists don’t use or recommend gold teeth implants, especially because we now have better materials that are lighter, biocompatible, and cheaper.
We can see nowadays gold being used on teeth, especially on celebrities as a symbol of status and wealth. These can be gold teeth implants, gold crowns, or dentures known as grills or “grillz. They can even have precious stones encrusted. This has created confusion and curiosity, and a lot of people wonder if gold implants are a good idea.
In Dental Solutions we don’t recommend implants or permanent gold teeth since there are better options to restore your smile, like titanium dental implants, and enhance its natural beauty.
Why are gold dental implants not recommended?
What are the implant materials recommended?
The best and most recommended material for implants is titanium. This is a lighter and biocompatible material that allows a successful osseointegration process, which provides higher chances of success in the procedure. The titanium implant will fuse with the jawbone, offering more stability, strength, and won’t cause damage to the bone, gum, or natural teeth.
Compared with gold, titanium is a stronger material that will last a lifetime, so you won’t need to worry about future problems. And, since it weighs less, it is a better option for older patients that need efficient tooth replacement.
In Dental Solutions we use and recommend titanium for our dental implants since it is an efficient material, strong, durable, biocompatible, and low-cost. With it, we can guarantee a successful treatment, long-term solutions, and satisfactory results.
How is gold used in modern dentistry?
As a material, gold is still being used in dentistry, mainly as a cosmetic procedure. We can find gold tooth crowns, but also removable pieces like dentures or bridges. However, these are not meant to be a functionality treatment or restorative procedure, since there are better materials for these issues.
Gold tooth crowns
A gold tooth is one of the most popular options for patients that want to change the appearance of their smile with this material. Generally, these gold crowns are placed on implants and are permanent gold teeth. Most of the time is located on the front teeth so they are visible, but it is possible to find gold crowns on molars too.
This is the most invasive treatment since it requires surgery to place the implant into the bone. Also, it is an option that takes time, since the implant needs to heal first before placing the crown, a process that can take months. While it is healing, the dentist uses a temporary crown made of resin or acrylic, and once it is completely healed, the gold crown can be attached or cemented with dental cement.
How much does it cost to put a gold tooth? A permanent gold teeth cost is elevated because not only the procedure is expensive, but the gold tooth crown in itself will cost more than other solutions.
In Dental Solutions we recommend different options for crowns, like porcelain or zirconia, which offer the same resistance than gold, and can mimic the appereance of your natural tooth. With these options you can get an aesthetic pleasing result while staying on a budget.
Gold fillings in your natural teeth
Fillings made with gold were popular in the past, but nowadays are not commonly used. A filling treats tooth decay, and the dentist first drill the damaged parts on your natural teeth to clean them out and later seals it with gold. Once the decayed area is removed, the sealing saves the remaining tooth and prevents gum disease.
Cosmetic dentistry made progress, and even though the process is the same, now it is preferred composite for fillings instead of gold or silver amalgam as materials. Composite is malleable, strong, cost-effective, and has the ability to mimic the appearance of your natural teeth, offering pleasing aesthetic results.
Gold implants
Can a tooth implant be gold? Even though it is a possibility, it is not common to see gold implants in current dentistry, and we don’t recommend using them for this procedure. There are better dental solutions to replace a lost tooth. Gold is not strong enough to be used as an implant, so it is necessary to use a gold alloy, a mixture of gold with other metal products, like zinc, copper, or silver, to increase the strength of the piece. An implant of this nature probably won’t last many years.
If you want a permanent solution that won’t cause issues in the future, this might not be the best option, since the weight of the piece can cause damage to the bone and teeth on the sides. A piece made of gold will be heavier, something that is not recommended for long periods of time because it can modify the structure of the bone, and even less for older patients that require good care of the jawbone to prevent tooth and tissue loss.
Lastly, we need to consider the cost. How much is a gold tooth implant? For implants, it is not used much gold, and instead it is used a gold alloy, a combination with other products, as we mentioned. This reduces the cost, but it doesn’t make it cheaper. The making of this type of implant is expensive, and since the procedure is lenghty and complicated, the cost is elevated compared with other options.
To replace lost teeth it is best to use a titanium dental implant that provides strength, and stability and prevents inconveniences in the long term. Then, it can be decided along with the dentist what type of crown would be best, and these will be attached to the implant or cemented with dental cement. This is the option that we recommend an use in Dental Solutions for all implant treatments since it offers the best results while costing much less.
Gold dentures or ‘grillz’
The most common cosmetic dental procedure with gold is dentures or grillz. These tend to be partial, only covering the front teeth instead of the whole dentition since the main idea is to make them visible. They are placed on top of the natural teeth and are held by clips or by suction. They are popular because they are simple and quick to make, and won’t require any modification to the original teeth.
Basically, grillz are a thin metal sheet made of gold that covers your natural teeth, which is a less invasive solution than implants because it doesn’t require surgery or any previous treatment. It only needed an impression of the mouth for the piece to be made. Also, they are completely removable, so you can wear them whenever you want to. However, this doesn’t make them safe, since the grill can wear down the tooth enamel, lead to tooth decay, hurt your gums, or even cause gum disease.
This damage can be caused by the amount of time that a person wears the grill and how efficient are their cleaning habits. Food and bacteria can be hidden inside the grill and cause tooth decay, or the fitting may not be correct causing damage to the gums and eventually gum disease, so it is not recommended to use for long periods of time.
Removable grillz can be supported by implants if the patient is looking for more stability, but this procedure is more complicated and it takes more time since the patient needs to undergo the whole surgery and healing process. This option is completely made for aesthetic and cosmetic reasons and it is not recommended as a permanent solution.
What is the procedure for a good dental implant?
Before getting a dental implant, a doctor needs to assess the current state of your oral health. In this first consultation, the dentist will determine if you are a candidate for this procedure or if it is best to take another route. You are a candidate for this treatment if you have lost one tooth or several teeth, and you want a tooth replacement permanently. At the same time, you need to have overall good health and oral health.
Some conditions can affect your candidacy, like diabetes, cancer, immune diseases, low bone density, pregnancy, or periodontal diseases. Also, habits like smoking, since can prevent the implant to integrate successfully. In case you have low bone density, the doctor can suggest performing a bone graft procedure previous to the implant. In this treatment, a piece of biocompatible material will be placed into the bone with the goal to increase the strength of the area, so the future metal piece will be held appropriately and stable.
Once it is decided that you are ready for the operation, the dentist will proceed with the treatment. For the intervention, a local anesthetic is needed to make the procedure painless, and the doctor will make an incision in the gum to expose the bone. Then, the implant will be placed into the bone, and you will be given specific instructions to take proper care of it while it heals. In this first visit, the dentist gives you temporary crowns so you can keep up with all your regular activities.
When the implant is completely healed and the osseointegration is done, the dentist will remove the temporary crowns and place the permanent ones. These can be made with different materials, and in previous visits, the doctor will recommend and discuss with you the various options that are available for crowns.
To avoid decay, discomfort, and future risk, your dentist will schedule regular checkups and give you instructions to take proper care of your implants and crowns. One of the benefits of this treatment is that you don’t need special care, and to maintain healthy teeth and gums you just need to keep up with a regular cleaning routine that includes brushing and floss. These simple steps can prevent diseases and provide you with implants for a lifetime.
Dental Implant dentistry in Los Algodones
Dental Solutions is a dental clinic located in Los Algodones, Baja California, Mexico. We are experts in restorative and cosmetic dentistry, and we offer competitive prices (you’ll save up to 80% in dental costs) compared to the United States and Canada while providing the same high-quality dental care. We are part of the American Dental Association, and we only work with state-of-the-art equipment and materials. Our team of dentists are specialized in a wide range of techniques and is prepared to guide you through your oral health journey.
Los Algodones is known as molar city, a great place for dental tourism. A lot of patients cross the border to get quality treatments while paying much less. Our clinic is located near the border, and we have a qualified billingual staff ready to assist you on your visit. We can guide you through the journey and help you all along, so you get the best treatment possible.
If you have any questions about dental implant procedures or want to have an appointment, contact us now and we will assist you immediately.
