If you're starting to experience the tell-tale wobble of a loose crown, or notice food getting stuck where the crown meets your gumline, you might be due for a crown tune-up.
Crowns can vary in lifespan depending on the dentist who installed them, your attention to oral hygiene, and the material from which the crown is made.
If you're lucky, your crown can last a lifetime. Yet if you’ve needed to replace the same crown more than once, it may just mean that the crown material used isn’t a good fit for you – and you may wish to consider switching to a full gold crown (FGC).
So What Is A Full Gold Crown?
Well, first off, it's not actually fully gold!
Crowns labeled as FGC are actually a mix of metals including the noble metals of gold, platinum, palladium, and silver, as well as the slightly inferior metals, copper and tin. This breadth of material is what lends strength and durability to an FGC when compared to other materials.
The strongest and best quality gold crowns are granted a designation of "highly noble" by the American Dental Association because they are comprised of at least 60% noble metals. In addition, most of those are made up of 40% gold.
Why Might You Want One?
If you find yourself having to replace crowns frequently, either because they are made of porcelain and cannot withstand your individual biting tension, or because you grind your teeth at night (a practice the weakens natural teeth as well as crowns), you may be a good candidate.
A fully gold crown can help you avoid repeat trips to the dentist for repair, and can correct what might just be your fundamental problem - your mouth and habits might dictate the need for a stronger crown.
What About Appearance?
Certainly, a gold crown can be noticeable if you decide to have it placed within your smile region. However, most people find they need the extra support in the rear of their mouths instead.
In this region, a full gold crown is unlikely to be noticed, and if it is, most people will merely associate it the kind of dental work they have in their own mouths, and think nothing of it. After all, who ever said it wasn't cool to have some gold on your person?
The main thing to remember is you're looking for something sturdy that will have some longevity, and that will provide you with the supportive comfort you need in a crown.
How Are They Installed?
Crowns of this nature are really no different than any other crown as far as installation goes.
First, your dentist will remove the loose crown currently installed on your tooth, and prepare the remaining tooth base for its future gold crown. A mold will then be taken of your mouth, which will later be sent to a lab where the crown will be custom manufactured to fit your tooth and mouth.
Once the custom crown has arrived at your dentist office, your dentist will remove any temporary crown used as a place-holder, fit the new crown, and cement it in place so you're ready to go.
Full gold crowns are a great solution for recurring loose crowns, or crowns that crack or split because of the tension exerted when you chew or grind your teeth.
If you're looking for a solution to these problems, ask your dentist if you're due for a tune-up, and learn more about how this type of crown might work for you.