Tangential anecdote: I needed a crown some years ago, and did some research on what materials to go with. It turns out gold is more biocompatible, safer for the opposing tooth, and will last something like twice as long. It's not much more expensive, even as the price of gold increases.
But the first dentist I talked to wanted to do some kind of ceramic, and didn't even suggest gold. The second one, I said I wanted gold, and he seemed relieved, saying that was the far better choice, but that he basically never brings it up any more because it has gone out of style.
...it really bothers me that neither of them would have mentioned the safer, superior, more durable option even as just that, an option. :-X
I wonder if this might be an interesting litmus test.