If you have second or third molars that require crowns, and you are not overly concerned with all your teeth looking completely natural, Dr. Patel may encourage you to go with gold crowns. Gold crowns are not only the most economical choice, they are also the most durable.
An additional bonus to going with gold crowns is that gold is more malleable than other types of materials used to make crowns, so the crowns can be meticulously molded into a more precise fit than crowns made with other materials. Also, gold will never crack or chip, as any restoration made with porcelain or ceramic might.
A word of caution, though—be careful of cheaper alloys if you do decide to go with gold. They will likely be harder and less malleable, losing some of the benefits of gold.