Can Muslim men have gold teeth or crowns?
It depends on why you want it. If a dentist says gold is needed to repair or hold a tooth, many scholars allow it. Gold teeth, caps or grills worn only for looks are not allowed for men, because they are gold used as adornment.
The rule and the exception for need
Gold is forbidden to men as clothing and jewelry (Sunan an-Nasa'i 5148). But the Prophet ﷺ made room for real need. Arfajah ibn As'ad lost his nose in battle and made a silver one, but it developed a stench, so the Prophet ﷺ told him to use a gold one (Sunan Abi Dawud 4232). Scholars use this report to say gold may be used when it is the practical way to repair or replace a part of the body. See Can Muslim men wear gold rings?
The Quran also reminds us that the religion is not meant to cause hardship:
Need versus looks
- Real need: a crown, filling or bridge where gold alloy is the dentist's best advice, or gold used to hold a loose tooth. Many scholars allow this.
- Decoration only: gold grills, gold caps on healthy teeth and gold inlays for style. These are the same as other gold jewelry, so they are not for men.
- When alternatives work: porcelain, ceramic, zirconia and other materials do the job in most cases. If they work as well, many scholars say the need is not really there, so choose them.
Ask your dentist why a particular material is recommended. If the reason is strength or a medical reason, that is a genuine need. If it is only "it looks rich", it is not.
If you already have gold in your mouth
Fillings and crowns placed before you became Muslim, or on a dentist's advice, are not a sin to keep, and you do not need to remove sound dental work. If you have a decorative cap or removable grill, simply stop wearing it. For fixed cosmetic work that would be costly or harmful to remove, ask a trusted local imam about your situation.
Gold fillings and crowns do not affect your wudu or ghusl, since rinsing the mouth is enough. See Do I need to remove my braces or retainer for ghusl?
What about women?
Gold is permitted for women, so gold teeth or crowns raise no issue of gold itself for them. Scholars still discourage harmful or unnecessary dental procedures for anyone, and unneeded cosmetic changes are best avoided.
- Gold is forbidden for men as adornment, but need is an exception.
- Arfajah's gold nose (Sunan Abi Dawud 4232) is the usual evidence.
- Decorative gold grills and caps are not allowed for men.
- Choose porcelain or ceramic when they work equally well.
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