How long do dental gold crowns last?

Answer 1

Dental gold crowns can last for decades. I've personally seen some last over forty years. In general, porcelain-fused-to-metal or all-porcelain crowns do not last as long a gold crowns. A goal for dental providers is to be able to place a crown that will last at least ten years. This is considered a adequate lifespan of a crown. Most crowns will last longer than this but gold has the best track-record for longevity. One reason gold lasts longer is because it is more forgiving to the chewing forces created in the mouth. Porcelain is more brittle and can fracture, whereas gold is malleable and can change shape to accommodate the force rather than fracture. Gold crowns are often recommended for back teeth which actually bear higher chewing stresses when compared to front teeth. Porcelain is opted for when aesthetics is a concern. This is why porcelain is generally recommended for teeth closer to the front. They look more like real teeth and they can last a long time when they aren't under a lot of chewing stress.