Gold as an implant in medicine and dentistry.

The purpose of this collective review is to study the history, physical and chemical properties, application, and clinical consequences of gold implants in the dental and medical fields. Gold implants are used in various medical procedures, including reconstructive surgery of the middle ear, upper lid closure in facial nerve paresis-induced lagophthalmos, drug delivery microchips, antitumor treatment, treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, use on the surface of voice prostheses, and endovascular stents, with sound clinical results. However, in order to achieve better therapeutic benefits, clinical reports have documented that the surface of gold implants have been modified or encased in biocompatible alloplastic materials, or they have been replaced by cheaper and more biocompatible materials. Gold is also applied to a long list of dental prostheses, including inlays, onlays, crowns, bridges, periodontal splints, and post and cores. It has sufficient strength and corrosion resistance, and it is relatively biocompatible. In addition, gold dental prostheses have a long life cycle. However, esthetic concerns and cost make it a less desirable prosthesis today than in the past.