Thanks for everyone's responses so far.


There are quite a few sources on the internet that say that nickel is still used:

"Nickel is added to the metal in braces (and crowns) so they don't rust. Here we call it stainless steel.":

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...4190050AATSkyS

"More than 75% of the crowns placed today are nickel":

http://www.whale.to/v/huggins.html

"Typically, what dental labs use to make crowns and bridges is nickel":

http://www.newlifejournal.com/10-02/askpatton_10_02.htm

"Crowns can be all metal, porcelain fused to metal (PFM), or all ceramic. Metals include gold alloy, other alloys (palladium) or a base-metal alloy (nickel or chromium). The all-metal or PFM crowns are stronger and are better choices for back teeth."

http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/U...es/Crowns.cvsp

Since most of my crowns and bridges date back to the 70's and 80's, I'm thinking it's even more likely they used metal back then.

Cherie

I'm having a root canal done soon, I think I'll be choosing the "all porcelain" option if it needs a crown.

Then I guess I'll have to do something about my ice chewing habit.

It must have been all those real nickles I saved, as a Kid..