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What Metals Are in Dental Gold?

Oral health is crucial to your overall health, and knowing what is in your gold fillings can be important to your well-being. There are substitutes for gold that are toxic, such as alloys made of nickel and beryllium. Knowing what metals are in the dental gold your dentist is using can keep you and your mouth healthy and safe.

  1. Direct Filling Gold

    • This type is not commonly used. It is made of 100 percent gold and is meant to be packed directly into the tooth. There are no toxic health effects from this type of dental gold.

    Cast Gold

    • This type is more old-fashioned. It was used in inlays, onlays, partial crowns and full crowns and occasionally still is. It is made mostly of gold alloyed with silver and copper to lower the melting temperature, thus making it more moldable for the dentist yet strong enough to withstand normal wear and tear. Your grandparents are more likely to have fillings and crowns made of this material.

    Cast gold

    • Cast gold is meant to be fired with ceramics for porcelain fused to metal crowns and bridges, The crown or bridge is cast, then a ceramic is baked on top for a more life-like appearance. It is made of pure gold alloyed with palladium for higher durability and bonding with ceramic materials.

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