Why are gold crowns so expensive?
Gold crowns are more costly than other types of dental crowns primarily due to the high value of gold as a precious metal. The gold alloy used can contain 40-95% real gold, which drives up material expenses. Additionally, fabricating a gold crown is a labor intensive process requiring advanced equipment, customized fabrication by skilled dental lab technicians, and several meticulous steps from the dentist to get an ideal fit. While more affordable options exist, gold crowns remain one of the strongest, longest lasting, and well-fitting crown solutions in dentistry.
What is a Gold Crown and Its Purpose?
A gold crown, also known as a gold cap, is a dental restoration used to repair and cover a severely damaged or decayed tooth. The crown fits over the remaining part of the natural tooth, called the tooth preparation. It is custom-designed and fabricated to match the existing tooth color, shape and bite. Gold crowns provide strength and protect deteriorating teeth from further damage. They are intended to last many years with proper care.
Why Choose a Gold Crown?
- Very strong and durable – lasts at least 15-30 years with proper care
- Doesn‘t fracture under pressure from chewing and biting
- Resists wear from grinding teeth better than other materials
- Does not corrode or cause reactions in the mouth
- Minimal amount of natural tooth needs to be removed
- Provides an excellent seal against bacteria and decay
- Is biocompatible and well-tolerated
- Does not commonly need replacement
The High Price of Gold Significantly Impacts Cost
As a precious metal, gold prices fluctuate but remain high, averaging around $1,700 per ounce globally over the last 5 years.
The gold alloy used in dental crowns may contain anywhere from 40% to 95% pure gold. According to the World Gold Council, a standard gold crown uses around 10% of a troy ounce of gold. With spot gold prices around $1,860 per troy ounce at the time of writing, just the raw gold material in one crown would be valued around $186.
This contributes significantly to the overall expense of gold crowns. The cost of the specialized fabrication process, equipment, and dentist‘s work also add to the pricing. But the high intrinsic value of the gold itself is the major factor.
Price of Gold Per Ounce Over the Last 5 Years:
| Year | Average Price |
| 2018 | $1,269 |
| 2019 | $1,393 |
| 2020 | $1,770 |
| 2021 | $1,799 |
| 2022 | $1,832 |
Specialized Equipment and Technician Expertise Adds Cost
Creating a gold crown is an intricate process involving specialized equipment, technologies, and expert technicians.
After the dentist takes impressions of the prepared tooth, the impressions are sent to an external dental laboratory for fabrication. This is typically outsourced to a specialized lab as most dentist offices do not have the capabilities to fabricate custom gold restorations on site.
At the dental lab, expert technicians fabricate the gold framework and crown to match the shape and bite precisely. They use advanced technologies like CAD/CAM milling and 3D printing equipment to design and produce the custom gold crown. The right training and expertise is required to properly work with gold alloys and handle the complexity involved.
This outsourcing and expertise requirement contributes to the cost over and above basic dental procedures. However, it ensures optimal fit, function, and longevity for the gold crown.
A Labor Intensive Process from Start to Finish
The process of getting a gold crown takes considerable time, effort, and care from both the dentist and lab technicians:
Steps Involved:
- Tooth preparation and impressions
- Creation of plaster dental models
- Wax pattern design for crown shape
- Spruing, investing, and casting the gold alloy
- Removing investment and oxide layer
- Trimming and polishing crown
- Porcelain application and baking for color match
- Final precision fit and bite adjustments
- Cementing crown onto prepared tooth
Dentists recommend replacing dental crowns every 15-30 years. But gold crowns can potentially last over 30 years with proper maintenance. This is much longer than cheaper metal or porcelain options. The initial time and effort pays off in long-term durability and function. But it does make gold crowns one of the more technique-sensitive and time consuming solutions.
How Gold Crowns Compare to Alternatives
While gold is the premium material for crowns, cheaper alternatives like porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) and all-ceramic crowns have risen in popularity. But these come with some distinct disadvantages:
| Gold Crown | Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal | All-Ceramic | |
| Durability | 20-30 years+ | 10-15 years | 5-10 years |
| Strength | Very high | High | Moderate |
| Tooth removal needed | Minimal | Moderate | Moderate |
| Cost | Expensive | Moderate | Least expensive |
While cheaper up front, alternatives often need more replacement and repair down the road. This can offset any initial savings. Gold offers the longest-lasting and strongest results, but costs more.
What Impacts the Price of a Gold Crown?
On average, patients can expect to pay between $900 – $2,500 per gold crown depending on several factors:
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Dentist‘s practice location and overhead expenses – Cost of living and expenses in the area
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Amount of labor required – Simple vs. complex tooth needs and preparation
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Cost charged by dental laboratory – Varies by location and capabilities
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Amount of gold alloy required – More gold means higher material costs
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Current market price of gold – Gold prices fluctuate daily
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Any specialized techniques needed – Complex cases require more effort
Those needing more extensive repairs, restorations, or multiple crowns will be at the higher end of the price range. Simple, single crown cases will cost less.
What Insurance Covers
Many dental insurance plans help offset the cost of crowns deemed medically necessary. Each policy is different, but insurance may cover:
- 40-50% of the total cost for the gold crown
- $500-$1500 of the cost as an annual maximum benefit
- Only non-gold crowns as the preferred treatment
Due to the price, patients still have considerable out-of-pocket expenses for gold crowns after insurance. Policies with 100% coverage are very rare. It is important to understand your insurance benefits and get a pretreatment cost estimate.
When a Gold Crown Makes Sense
While expensive, there are clinical situations where a gold crown is worth the investment:
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Back molars – Gold is best for withstanding the heavy biting forces from chewing
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Bruxism/grinding – Gold withstands wear and force better than other materials
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Children‘s teeth – Gold provides longevity to preserve permanent teeth
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Allergic reactions – Gold is hypoallergenic and biocompatible for sensitivities
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Long term savings – Avoid costs of replacements every 5-10 years
Discuss your specific condition with your dentist to decide if a gold crown is the right solution, or if a cheaper alternative may also work.
Partner with Your Dentist to Make the Best Choice
The high upfront price of gold crowns can be daunting. Have an open conversation with your dentist about the pros, cons, costs, alternatives, and insurance coverage. Together you can make an informed decision on the best crown solution for your dental needs, budget, and lifestyle. While costly, gold crowns provide unmatched longevity and value in the right circumstances. Your dentist wants you to feel confident and secure in your restoration choice.