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Thursday, 31st July 2008 (2208 views)

Patients with poorly teeth wanting gold fillings or gold replacements may end up paying more than they expected, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Gold can be used as fillings, crowns and bridges but the price has shot up due to the overall global increase in the price of the precious metal.

Dr Frank Incrapera, from Houston, said a gold crown can cost up to $1,000 now, three years ago it would have cost $600.

Fees can vary according to dentist and the amount of gold used.

Although many people now favour natural looking materials such as porcelain for their mouths, the newspaper said gold can still be used under porcelain crowns.

"It's still one of the gold-standard dental materials to restore teeth," said Stephen Laman, a faculty member at the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston.

Last year, it was reported that actress Scarlett Johannsson gave her fiance Ryan Reynolds her wisdom tooth on a necklace, after it had been dipped in gold.

 

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