Is gold still used in dentistry?

Yes, around 70 tonnes of gold is used every year in dental restorations like bridges and crowns. Gold is the oldest dental restorative material, having been used for dental repairs for more than 4000 years and is considered by many experts to be the best available material. Gold-alloys used in dental work are proven to be durable and long-lasting.

Most importantly gold has excellent biocompatibility (it is non-toxic), so allergic reactions to a gold-based dental implant are extremely rare. It is interesting to note that in many countries if practising dentists are asked what type of material for a restoration they prefer for themselves, with few exceptions the answer is a gold alloy.

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