It is most important for a patient to select the very best care available and then maintain it. We feel it is fitting to interview and question the dentist of your choice. An appointment can be made just for this purpose. When major treatment is contemplated, ask about sterilization techniques, use of the rubber dam, use of a lab microscope, use of a laboratory, educational experience of the dentist and procedures.

Our office is equipped with all known protection systems for the patient including a state of the art sterilization program for instruments and equipment. For countless reasons, we advocate the use of the rubber dental dam for most operative procedures. Use of the dental dam not only protects our patients but also makes our work more efficient. This translates into less frequent replacement of restorations and less time in the dental chair for you.

A 10-20X power microscope is used to evaluate detail and to assure the proper fit of all cemented or bonded restorations. We also possess an in-house ceramic and gold laboratory and are extremely proficient in all laboratory techniques. This minimizes patient waiting time and additional appointments.

Regarding costs, most adults who have had silver fillings previously placed in their teeth are candidates for having them replaced. Except for the very smallest filling, the worst choice of materials would be the tooth colored composite resin as a replacement. They cost about one fourth that of a laboratory fabricated bonded or cemented restoration and, in all probability, will fail faster than the filling that they replaced. The consequence of this is that there is less tooth structure remaining making it difficult to place a cemented laboratory fabricated porcelain or conservative gold restoration.

Most crowns and conservative gold fillings placed under controlled conditions and circumstances will last a minimum of twenty years if properly maintained. This is a durable good in our culture and an excellent investment in your dental health. Learn more about the advantages of gold.

On June 9, 1999, on NPR's Marketplace program, in a discussion of the savings rate in the US, they used the analogy of a $2.50 a day latte invested daily for thirty years at 9% interest equaled approximately $140,000. In perspective, a single casting, be it gold or porcelain, would cost seven cents a day and the $2.50 latte would cover 23 teeth, or a full mouth rehabilitation, for twenty years. A Great Value, you bet.