Gold is one of the very first metals to be used in medicine. It was with its use that prosthetics in dentistry began, gold teeth in ancient times were considered a luxury and symbolized the highest level of human well-being, his important position in society.
The use of gold in dentistry
In modern dentistry, it is widely used in the production of a variety of dental prosthetics:
- solid crowns ;
- individual abutments;
- stump and tooth tabs;
- braces;
- clasp prostheses and with telescopic fixation system;
- ceramic-metal crowns.
Properties of dental gold alloys
Gold prosthetics is widespread due to the unique properties of this noble metal:
- The metal itself and its alloys can be easily polished, which is especially important when creating smooth and smooth edges of prostheses, which allows them to fit snugly to the gum without risk of damage to soft tissues and the development of carious processes in places where healthy teeth come into contact.
- Golden teeth are not oxidized and do not stain, are resistant to corrosion.
- This metal does not cause individual intolerance and galvanic effect.
- Its use does not lead to plaque formation on the teeth.
- The increased fluidity of gold-bearing alloys allows to achieve high precision manufacturing of the prosthesis design.
- When using gold, the aesthetic appearance of the jaw improves, it gives the ceramic structures a natural shade that does not differ from the color of healthy teeth.
Indications and contraindications
Dental implants are necessary in the following cases:
- when restoring their anatomical shape and functions;
- when correcting too strong a bite and the need to strengthen the tooth;
- to give aesthetics to the oral cavity;
- during restoration of chewing teeth;
- in the presence of parafunctional habits - grinding, strong squeezing.
Installation of prostheses is not performed when:
- diagnosing mental illness;
- detection of chronic periodontitis;
- during pregnancy;
- Patient age up to 16 years.
Crowns
The aesthetic properties of such prostheses are significantly improved due to the use of ceramic materials. If gold crowns need to be installed on the front teeth, then the frame made of a precious metal alloy should be lined with ceramic mass to enhance aesthetic properties. Gold shining through the cold whiteness of ceramics gives the tooth a warm and yellowish tint, creating a lively and natural look.
When casting crowns, gold in its pure form is not used. To give the prosthesis the required strength, a small amount of palladium and platinum are added to the alloy. Such crowns can last a long time without losing their properties.
Recently, crowns decorated with precious stones or gold figures, as well as their removable designs, which are new in dentistry, have gained immense popularity. Prosthetics with crowns of a removable type is determined, rather, by the whim of the patient, rather than by necessity. Such designs are installed on a healthy tooth, and therefore they have a relatively small thickness.
Benefits of Golden Dentures
The installation of teeth and gold crowns has its undeniable advantages over other materials also used in dental prosthetics:
- full compatibility with soft tissues of the oral cavity, which eliminates the occurrence of allergies and irritations;
- the absence of even the smallest impurities of any carcinogenic compounds;
- high strength of the alloy, due to which the golden teeth are almost impossible to break or damage;
- due to the softness of the metal, the antagonist teeth are not destroyed, since the prostheses and the natural teeth surrounding them are erased almost simultaneously;
- the coefficient of thermal expansion of metal and dentin completely coincides, there is almost complete "compression" of the prosthesis and tooth.
Some scholars are inclined to ascribe bactericidal properties to gold, although there is no scientific evidence for this, however, as well as rebuttals.
Disadvantages of precious metal prostheses
In addition to significant advantages, implantation of teeth from gold has tangible disadvantages:
- fast enough abrasion;
- high cost of material and installation of prostheses;
- changing ideas about the aesthetics of gold prosthetics.
Modern ideas about the beauty and aesthetics of the oral cavity suggest the installation of golden teeth only in the depths of the mouth. It is believed that on the teeth visible during a smile or conversation, this metal looks vulgar and unnatural.
Care for teeth and crowns
Golden teeth do not require any special care, but some requirements still exist:
- They need to be cleaned at least twice a day with an ordinary toothbrush and toothpaste.
- To prevent the formation of tartar deposits, leading to gum disease and tooth decay, it is recommended to use dental floss to clean the junction of the gums and crowns.
- It is necessary to avoid the use of solid food, seeds and nuts, and also not to bite your nails.
- It is strictly forbidden to grit your teeth and grit them. If this happens involuntarily in a dream, then at night it is recommended to wear protective equipment.
What determines the value of golden teeth?
Nowadays, implant placement is a great option for people who decide to regain their old gorgeous smile and avoid problems with chewing food.
How much does it cost to install golden teeth? Their price depends on many factors, both individual for each person and common to all, and can range from 7 to 55 thousand Russian rubles.
If we talk about the prosthetics procedure itself, then its cost depends on:
- the difficulty of performing surgical installation;
- the cost of the prosthesis itself. It should be understood that the price of a gram of gold is approximately 65 euros, ceramics and the components of the alloy are also not cheap;
- individual features of the structure of the tooth on which the crown or prosthesis is made - its size, shape and, therefore, mass.
Additional factors, such as:
- the status and prestige of the dental clinic, its location;
- doctor's qualification level;
- country of manufacture of materials for the manufacture of prostheses and their quality. The geography is quite wide - from Germany or Israel to Korea and the USA, there are even Russian manufacturers.
Only taking all these factors into account can we approximately imagine the cost of manufacturing and installing golden teeth or crowns. It will be useful to know that installing just one tooth can be quite expensive, and when ordering several or all of your teeth at once, you can get quite a substantial discount on both materials and the work of a doctor.
In any case, before making a decision, it is necessary to know the rates in several clinics in advance and, having compared the terms, cost and qualifications of a specialist, make a choice in favor of one of them.