Gold Crowns and Onlays
Gold has been used in dentistry for well over a century, making it one of the oldest and most trusted restorative materials we have. While it is not tooth-colored, it remains an excellent choice for certain back teeth where strength, longevity, and function matter more than cosmetics. At our office, we use gold exclusively outside the aesthetic zone, typically on posterior teeth where it will not show prominently.
One of gold’s biggest advantages is how well it behaves in the mouth. It is highly biocompatible, meaning the gum tissue and surrounding tooth structure generally tolerate it very well. Gold is also malleable, which means it can be shaped and adapted very precisely to the tooth. This allows for a smooth, well-sealed margin and often requires less removal of healthy tooth structure compared with other restorative materials.
Gold onlays can be especially useful when we want to restore a damaged or weakened back tooth while preserving as much natural tooth as possible. Unlike a full crown, an onlay can cover only the portion of the tooth that needs protection, leaving more healthy enamel and dentin intact. Gold is also kind to the opposing tooth because its wear pattern is closer to natural enamel than many harder ceramic materials. For the right patient and the right tooth, gold crowns, onlays, and inlays remain among the most durable, conservative, and biologically respectful options in modern dentistry.