How do I know a gold filling is actually gold?

[Gold filling]

Some years ago I had a gold filling and crown with my local dentist and it has caused no problems since. However, a while after the filling was done I was invited by the NHS to take part in an investigation to determine how much gold if any was being used in the fillings provided by my dentist. I went along for the inspection/testing and the results came back that my filling was not gold. It was not going to do any harm but was not what I had been lead to believe I would get .


A lab has told me there a 3 types of gold crowns/fillings Precious (60% noble metal), Semi Precious (25% noble metal) and Non Precious (less than 25% noble metal).

I now have the option of another gold filling, from past experience I am cautious and have been unable to gain any information as to how I will know exactly what I am getting if I go for the gold option. I have tried speaking to various dentists and labs online and over the phone but no one can give me a straight answer or gets back to me.

What is standard practice, should I receive something in writing stating what I am actually getting, otherwise I could be getting ripped off? That is paying for gold and getting gold colored.

 

[MattKW]

Make clear your request before the crown is made, and ask the dentist to show you the itemised lab invoice. It should have at least a brand name on it - Google it. I have no problem with this - I never use semi- or non-precious anyway.
Many patients expect it to be a yellow gold alloy, but they are often white gold.
Attached is the one my lab uses at 84% gold from this company here with screenshots of yellow and white gold variants.
And noble content can mean other metals like palladium mixed with gold. A high noble is defined as at least 60% noble of which 40% must be gold. This is a very good layperson website here. High gold content will cost you more.