My dentist is pressuring me to get a gold crown on
my back upper tooth. I would prefer to get porcelain crown but he insists. The other day,
he was preparing my tooth for the crown - I told him again I wanted a porcelain crown but
he ignored me and prepared the tooth for a gold crown. I was upset when I found out he had
ignored my request. I asked him why he ignored me and he said "because gold will last
longer." He claims porcelain will crack and it only lasts a few years. Is this true?
How does porcelain hold up compared to gold?
Though both porcelain and gold crowns are designed to last many years, there are a large
variety of factors which influence which type of crown is best. If you tend to grind your
teeth, porcelain may fracture AND wear down the opposing teeth when you bite. If you have
a 'short' tooth or not much room in the location of the crown, a gold crown may be better
since it can be designed without removing as much of your underlying tooth! I recommend
that you tell your dentist about your concerns, as there may be more reasons for having a
gold crown than your dentist has discussed with you. |
