Chevy Chase Gold Dental Work

Gold is hands down the best choice! With gold, a tooth may only need to be prepared once. It is one of the healthiest, most reliable, and oldest materials used to restore teeth. In fact, gold dental work dates all the way back to the ancient Egyptians! 
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Gold has a number of unique benefits that make it the best overall choice for dental restorations. Gold will never discolor your teeth, and it is very pliable and soft, which means it can be precisely conformed to your natural bite. Since it conforms so well, gold work has a lower risk of catching debris or harboring plaque. Gold is also durable enough that it will not wear away, chip, or crack, unlike some types of tooth-colored fillings. 
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Since gold is a biocompatible material, your body will not try to reject a gold filling, making for a more comfortable, successful restoration with less bleeding and swelling during treatment. Gold has the longest lifespan of any tooth filling material. The average restorations are known to last 18 years,  but our goal is to have yours last the life of the tooth. With proper care, this is significantly longer than other materials such as amalgam, composite, porcelain, or ceramic.

Yes! Dr. Eric Morrison is one of the foremost gold experts in dentistry, and he specializes in the use of gold to restore decayed teeth, providing you with a beautiful, aesthetically-pleasing smile. As an active member serving on the Executive Board of the American Academy of Gold Foil Operators, Dr. Morrison attends annual conferences and performs procedures for dentists that attend from around the world to learn and continue to expand their gold technique.  Dr. Morrison is also a frequent lecturer and clinical presenter at Walter Reed National Naval Medical Center where dental residents gather to learn from his expertise and critique. Dr. Morrison has a “Gold Reputation,” and has even been nicknamed Dr. Gold by his dental peers due to his mastery of gold work.

Dentistry is more than aesthetics. The physical benefits of gold restorations far outweigh the visual benefits of the alternatives. We do offer composite fillings, but if you want the longest lasting, healthiest option, gold is often a better choice. Dr. Morrison is an expert at enhancing your smile, and gold restorations are are carefully performed in a manner that are aesthetically pleasing or hidden all together.  Some patients want to proudly show off their "gold jewelry" because it can look so beautiful! Your gold filling will be a durable and reliable dental restoration that can last a lifetime.
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Gold restorations have a higher upfront cost than tooth-colored restorations and other dental materials. That is why we consider gold as a possible consideration in reviewing treatment options for all patients. With gold work, you will save money in the long run because restorations will only need to be done once, unlike composite and amalgam fillings that often need replacing. Each time a restoration is redone, the area to be filled gets larger until eventually you will need a larger restoration, or even a crown, to restore a tooth to full comfort and function. The use of gold foil inlays and onlays prevent the need for getting additional restorations redone later on in life.
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If you’re still not sure whether a tooth-colored filling or a gold filling is right for you, we recommend scheduling a consultation with Dr. Morrison. He can explain the pros and cons of each method of tooth restoration, and help you make the best choice for your dental care. We are conveniently located in Chevy Chase and Gaithersburg. Make an appointment today.

Yes. Gold dental work is 100% safe. The gold alloys used in dentistry have been used safely for decades. Gold holds up very well to the complex and difficult oral environment.
 
In fact, gold dental fillings are arguably safer than other types of metal fillings, which often contain mercury. Studies have shown that mercury is safe when used in metal amalgam, but it is still considered to be a toxic chemical, so some patients don’t like the idea of having mercury in their mouths. 
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In contrast, gold is non-toxic and completely safe. It has no mercury or any other potentially harmful materials, making it an excellent choice for restoring your smile.

You don’t have to do anything special to care for your gold dental work. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss once a day, and maintain a healthy diet low in sugar. You should also come and see Dr. Morrison every six months for a checkup at Morrison Cosmetic Dentistry. 
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There are no other special precautions that you have to take. However, if you want to keep your dental work intact for a long time, we recommend avoiding really sticky and sugary foods like taffy and gummy worms. These can weaken and pull out your dental work over time.
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Unlike porcelain and resin dental work, gold crowns are not brittle, so you can chew hard and crunchy foods without worrying about breaking your crown. However, we still recommend that you avoid chewing ice, and you should not chew non-food objects with your gold dental work. Over time, these habits could damage your teeth and dental work.

The precise lifespan of all types of dental work primarily depends on your oral hygiene and the specifics of your case. In general, though, gold dental work has a longer lifespan than any other type of dental work. That’s why Dr. Eric Morrison specializes in using gold for dental fillings and dental crowns.
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Gold crowns can last anywhere from 20-40 years depending on how well you care for your smile. Gold fillings can last between 15-30 years. In contrast, porcelain crowns usually last up to 15 years. Tooth-colored fillings last about 10-12 years, and metal amalgam fillings usually last about 15 years. 
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So while gold crowns and fillings may be a little bit more expensive than other types of dental work, this investment pays off. They easily last twice as long as other methods of tooth restoration.