Gold is the oldest and longest lasting material dentistry has to offer. When used as cast gold inlays and onlays, you can offer your patients beautiful esthetics and a lifetime restoration. As Dr. Richard V. Tucker stated in his article Commentary on Cast Restorations (Aurum Ceramic News, August 1995, pp. 1-3) "the past record of gold castings in dentistry cannot be overlooked. It is not unusual for such restorations to serve a patient for forty or fifty years, and most importantly, maintain the health of the dentition during this time."

Molar with distal caries and an MO amalgam to be replaced.   Finished gold inlay.

Unsurpassed Strength
Gold offers more compressive and tensile strength than other filling materials. This allows thin bevels of metal to be placed over margins to protect fragile enamel walls. Margins do not chip or erode away. While most filling materials must be protected by the tooth dentin and enamel, cast gold actually protects the remaining tooth structure. The long-term durability of high gold content alloys makes them an excellent value for the patient.

Excellent Esthetics
When used appropriately, gold is a very esthetic material. Gold inlays and onlays will not discolor a tooth nor will they decompose or tarnish. Properly completed preparations eliminate unwanted metal display. Natural tooth contours are more easily reproduced in the laboratory than in the mouth where access is always a consideration. The very smooth finished surfaces are comfortable for the patient and do not readily harbor plaque.

Preserves Natural Dentition
Many other restorative materials are harder than gold and may cause abrasion damage to opposing dentition. Gold's wear resistance is compatible with opposing teeth. As a malleable material, gold can adapt to occlusal pressures much like natural dentition. A cast gold inlay or onlay also provides fine, smooth margins that resist microleakage, significantly reducing secondary decay.

There are few areas in dentistry that require such close cooperation between dentist and laboratory technician as gold inlays and onlays. Certainly, the procedure for placing a gold casting has been called technique sensitive. Planning and preparations must allow for expansion not only of the gold alloy but also for expansion of the die material and shrinkage of the wax in the pattern. At Aurum Ceramic Dental Laboratories, we understand the precision required for intracoronal castings. Working as a team with the dentist, we can achieve truly outstanding results in cast gold restorative dentistry.