Please note that while Dr. Grivas offers comprehensive dental services in Sacramento, the availability of gold fillings may vary. Please call (916) 929-9222 to discuss your specific restorative needs.
Gold Fillings, The Strongest Smile Restoration
Looking to restore your smile with a long-lasting, durable dental filling option? Your trusted Sacramento restorative dentist, Dr. Scott Grivas offers gold dental fillings that can provide years of exceptional service. We pride ourselves on delivering personalized, comprehensive restorative dental procedures and care to patients throughout the Sacramento area. Call today at (916) 929-9222 to schedule a consultation at our Sacramento County dental practice and learn more about the benefits of gold fillings.
What Are Gold Fillings?
Gold fillings, also known as gold inlays or onlays, represent a time-tested approach to dental restoration. These premium dental restorations often are crafted from a carefully formulated alloy of gold and other noble metals, including silver, copper, and platinum. The result is an incredibly durable and biocompatible restoration that has earned its reputation as the “gold standard” in dental fillings. While less common today than composite options, gold fillings remain an excellent choice for specific clinical situations.
To learn more about the various dental filling options available at Dr. Grivas’s Sacramento dental office, contact us today at (916) 929-9222.
Benefits of Gold Fillings
Gold fillings offer several distinct advantages that have kept them relevant in modern dentistry:
- Exceptional Durability: Gold’s natural properties make it extremely resistant to wear, allowing these fillings to last for decades under normal use.
- Proven Biocompatibility: Gold’s excellent tissue compatibility means minimal risk of adverse reactions or sensitivity.
- Outstanding Longevity: With proper care, gold fillings typically last 15-30 years or longer, often outlasting other restoration types.
- Reduced Sensitivity: Patients generally experience less post-treatment sensitivity with gold fillings compared to other dental filling materials.
- Superior Fit: Each gold filling is custom-crafted in a dental laboratory to ensure precise adaptation to your natural tooth.
- Dimensional Stability: Gold maintains its shape and size over time, preventing gaps or leakage around the restoration.
- Impressive Strength: Gold fillings are particularly beneficial for back teeth that endure significant chewing forces
- Corrosion Resistance: Gold’s noble metal status ensures it won’t deteriorate or tarnish in the oral environment.
Disadvantages of Gold Fillings
It’s important to consider these potential drawbacks:
- Aesthetic Considerations: The distinctive golden appearance makes these fillings more suitable for back teeth.
- Higher Initial Investment: Gold’s precious metal status contributes to a higher upfront cost.
- Treatment Timeline: The custom fabrication process for gold dental fillings requires multiple appointments
- Metal Sensitivities: Though rare, some patients may have sensitivity to metal alloys used for gold fillings.
- Conservative Preparation: More natural tooth structure may need to be removed for the placement of gold fillings compared to some modern alternatives.
- Color Matching Challenges: Matching new gold work to existing gold restorations, can be complex.
- Gum Line Considerations: The gold margin may become visible if gum recession occurs.
- Temperature Sensitivity: Some patients may initially notice sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
The Gold Fillings Process
Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
The dentist will assess the extent of tooth damage and determine if a gold filling is the best option. Factors considered include the location of the tooth, bite forces, and aesthetic preferences.
Tooth Preparation
The dentist numbs the area with local anesthesia for comfort. They then remove the damaged or decayed portion of the tooth using dental instruments, shaping the cavity to properly accommodate the gold filling.
Impression Taking
An impression of the prepared tooth is taken to create a custom-fitted gold filling. This ensures the restoration will match the specific contours of the tooth.
Filling Fabrication
The impression is sent to a dental laboratory, where skilled technicians fabricate the gold filling. The filling is crafted to match the exact specifications of the prepared tooth.
Fitting and Cementing
Once the gold filling is ready, the patient returns for placement. The dentist ensures a perfect fit, applies dental cement to the cavity and filling, and then carefully places and secures the filling.
Polishing and Final Adjustments
After cementing, excess cement is removed. The dentist checks the bite, polishes the filling for a smooth surface, and makes any necessary adjustments to ensure proper alignment and function.
Gold Filling Costs
Gold fillings are generally more expensive than other types of dental fillings due to the material used and the craftsmanship involved. Here’s a more detailed explanation of the costs and influencing factors:
Price Range
Without insurance, gold fillings typically cost between $250 and $2,000 per tooth. However, in some cases, particularly for larger or more complex restorations, the cost can exceed this range.
Factors Affecting Cost
- Size and Location of the Filling
- Larger fillings require more gold and are therefore more expensive.
- Fillings on back teeth (molars) are often pricier due to the increased complexity and size.
- Front teeth may cost more due to aesthetic considerations.
- Current Precious Metal Market Prices
- Gold prices fluctuate daily on the global market.
- When gold prices are high, the cost of gold fillings increases accordingly.
- Some dentists may use a sliding scale based on current gold prices.
- Laboratory Fees
- Gold fillings are custom-made in dental laboratories.
- Lab fees cover the cost of crafting the filling, including labor and equipment.
- More reputable labs with highly skilled technicians may charge higher fees.
- Complexity of the Preparation
- Teeth requiring extensive preparation or repair before filling placement will incur additional costs.
- Cases involving multiple surfaces of a tooth are more complex and thus more expensive.
- Dentist’s Expertise and Location
- Experienced dentists or those in high-cost areas may charge more.
- Urban areas typically have higher dental costs than rural regions.
- Type of Gold Alloy Used
- Pure gold is too soft for dental use, so alloys are used.
- Different alloys (e.g., 14k, 16k, 18k) have varying costs.
- Additional Procedures
X-rays, anesthesia, or other preparatory work may add to the overall cost.
Insurance Considerations
Many dental insurance plans consider gold fillings a “major” procedure. Coverage typically ranges from 50 percent to 80 percent of the cost, often with annual limits. Some plans may only cover the cost equivalent to a silver amalgam filling, leaving the patient to pay the difference. We’ll help you understand the costs of your fillings as well as your insurance options. We also offer flexible payment options to make your fillings more affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, gold fillings are exceptionally safe and have been used successfully in dentistry for over a century. Dr. Grivas uses only the highest-quality dental gold alloys for optimal biocompatibility.
While technically possible, Dr. Grivas typically recommends more aesthetic options like composite fillings or porcelain restorations for visible front teeth.
Yes, gold fillings can be removed if necessary, though they often last so long that removal is rarely needed. If removal is required, Dr. Grivas will recommend the most appropriate replacement option.
Restore Your Oral Health With Dr. Grivas, Call Today!
If you’re considering your filling options, trust Sacramento’s experienced restorative dentist, Dr. Scott Grivas. Serving patients throughout Sacramento, La Riviera, West Sacramento, Florin, and Rosemont, our team will help you choose the most appropriate restoration for your needs.
Contact our Sacramento office today by dialing (916) 929-9222 to schedule your consultation and learn more about our comprehensive restorative dental services.