|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Gold Standard of Dentistry: "A Lost Art"
Although gold restorations are considered the best for many reasons, gold procedures are rarely taught in dental schools. Gold restorations, are fast becoming a "Lost Art" in dentistry, they have many benefits for patients. First of all, gold restorations are not only beautiful, they allow dentists to preserve precious tooth structure.
Because of it's inherent properties, gold is a very versatile material. One of its most noteworthy properties is it's malleability which allows properly trained dentists to shape, finish, and polish gold directly to the contour of the tooth, preventing voids.
Gold restorations last longer than any other fillings, including amalgam (silver fillings) and white fillings (plastic or glass). In fact, many gold restorations have been known to last more than fifty years.
Small fillings are best suited for gold foil, a pure gold leaf that is rolled into pellets and pressed directly into the tooth to form a solid cohesive gold filling that is then shaped and polished to conform with the surrounding tooth structure. Unlike other fillings, gold foil does not leak or shrink, and does not require cements or bonding agents to be retained.
A more popular gold restoration is a gold casting (all gold crown, gold inlay, gold onlay). These restorations gained acceptance in the early 1900 when William Taggart invented the casting machine. This machine allowed dentists to precisely melt gold to a specific shape of a cavity preparation. The procedure was done indirectly (outside the mouth). Once the molten gold cooled to form a solid mass, it was taken to the mouth and adjusted, and finished and polished, similar to gold foil. Today the casting process is similar; however, it is more accurate primarily because of technology and the advancements in dental materials.
Gold is the only material that adds richness and value to your mouth. That is why so many dentists choose gold to restore their own mouths. Quality gold restorations demand attention to detail. It may take time to develop the skills ncessary to place beautiful fillings.
At Seltzer Family Dental, the doctors and staff are highly trained in gold restorations. We feel so strongly about promoting "The Gold Standard of Dentistry," we host a gold teaching seminar to train dentists in the lost art. Once you try gold, you won't want anything less than the best.
References:
Why Gold Foil...Simply the Best, Prepared by the Associated Ferrier Gold Foil Study Clubs, Produced by Ivoclare North America, Inc., The Dental Health Institute and The American Academy of Gold Foil Operators, 8/1997
American Dental Association, History of Dentistry, Innovations in Technology - The 20th Century
The History of Dentistry 2001, Terry Wilwerding, D.D.S., M.S.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
