Permanent Gold Teeth in Park Ridge, IL | Gold Crowns, Inlays & Onlays | Loukas Dentistry
Permanent Gold Teeth
in Park Ridge, IL
Gold dental restorations have been the gold standard — literally — for over a century. At Loukas Dentistry of Park Ridge, Dr. Thanasi Loukas places permanent gold crowns, inlays, and onlays for patients who want the most durable, long-lasting restoration available.
Why Gold?
The Most Durable Dental
Restoration Ever Made
Gold dental restorations have been used in dentistry since the 1800s — and for good reason. No other restorative material has matched gold’s combination of durability, biocompatibility, and precision fit over more than a century of clinical use.
Modern dental materials like zirconia and porcelain offer superior aesthetics, but for patients who prioritize longevity — especially on back molars where no one sees the restoration but everyone feels it — gold remains the premier choice.
Dr. Loukas offers gold crowns, gold inlays, and gold onlays at Loukas Dentistry of Park Ridge. If you’ve been told you need a crown and want to know whether gold is right for your situation, we’ll walk you through the options honestly.
Types of Gold Restorations
What Kind of Gold Restoration
Do You Need?
Gold can be used in several different types of restorations depending on how much tooth structure remains and what your clinical situation requires.
Gold Crown
A full gold crown covers the entire visible portion of a tooth. The most durable option available — a properly fitted gold crown can last 40-50 years. Ideal for back molars where bite force is greatest and appearance matters less.
Gold Inlay
A gold inlay is a solid gold restoration that fits inside the cusps of a tooth — similar to a filling but far more durable and precisely fitted. Cast in a laboratory from an impression of your tooth. Lasts significantly longer than composite or amalgam fillings.
Gold Onlay
A gold onlay covers one or more of a tooth’s cusps in addition to the biting surface. Used when a tooth has more damage than an inlay can address but doesn’t require a full crown. A conservative, extremely durable option.
Gold Bridge
A gold bridge replaces one or more missing teeth using adjacent teeth as anchors. The all-gold bridge is rarely used today for aesthetic reasons, but gold pontics (the replacement tooth) are sometimes used in posterior areas where durability is the priority.
Why Gold Outlasts Everything Else
Gold’s clinical performance over 100+ years is unmatched. Here’s why:
- Durability: Gold does not chip, crack, or fracture under bite forces. Porcelain crowns can fracture; gold does not.
- Wear rate: Gold wears at almost exactly the same rate as natural tooth enamel, protecting opposing teeth. Zirconia can be too hard, wearing down natural teeth over time.
- Biocompatibility: Gold is extremely well-tolerated by gum tissue. No irritation, no allergic reactions in the vast majority of patients.
- Precision fit: Gold can be cast and burnished to fit a tooth margin with extreme precision, reducing the micro-gap where bacteria could enter.
- Longevity: Well-maintained gold crowns routinely last 40-50 years. Few other restorations come close.
Gold vs. Alternatives
How Does Gold Compare to
Other Crown Materials?
| Gold | Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal | Zirconia | All-Porcelain | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longevity | 40-50+ years | 15-25 years | 15-20 years | 10-15 years |
| Fracture risk | None | Porcelain can chip | Very low | Moderate |
| Tooth wear on opposing teeth | Matches enamel | Moderate | Can be abrasive | Moderate |
| Aesthetics | Gold colored | Tooth-colored | Tooth-colored | Best aesthetics |
| Best for | Molars, durability priority | Posterior with aesthetics | Most situations | Front teeth |
| Biocompatibility | Excellent | Good | Good | Excellent |
Dr. Loukas’s honest take: For front teeth, gold is rarely the right choice aesthetically. For molars — especially second and third molars where almost no one sees the restoration — gold is often the single best clinical option available. If durability is your priority and the tooth is in the back of your mouth, gold deserves serious consideration.
The Procedure
Getting a Gold Crown or
Restoration at Loukas Dentistry
Exam & Treatment Planning
Dr. Loukas evaluates the tooth using digital X-rays and clinical examination. He discusses whether a gold crown, inlay, onlay, or alternative material is best for your specific situation and long-term goals.
Tooth Preparation
The tooth is shaped to receive the gold restoration. Local anesthetic ensures complete comfort. The amount of tooth removed is typically less for gold restorations than for porcelain alternatives, preserving more natural tooth structure.
Digital or Physical Impression
A precise impression of the prepared tooth is taken — either digitally with the iTero scanner or with traditional impression material. This impression is sent to a dental laboratory where your gold restoration is custom cast.
Temporary Restoration
A temporary crown is placed while your permanent gold restoration is being fabricated — typically 2-3 weeks.
Fitting & Cementation
Dr. Loukas checks the fit, bite, and margin seal of the gold restoration before permanently cementing it in place. Gold can be adjusted and burnished at the margins for an exceptional seal — a clinical advantage other materials don’t offer.
FAQ
Common Questions About
Permanent Gold Teeth
No. Grillz are removable decorative covers that fit over teeth. Permanent gold teeth refers to actual dental restorations — gold crowns, inlays, and onlays — that are cemented permanently to the tooth structure. They are clinical restorations that replace damaged tooth structure and restore function, not cosmetic accessories.
Gold crowns are among the longest-lasting dental restorations available. Studies show gold crowns routinely last 40-50 years when properly maintained. Some patients keep gold crowns for their entire lifetime. This longevity is largely unmatched by other crown materials.
The procedure to place a gold crown is the same as any crown — performed under local anesthetic with complete numbing of the area. Most patients experience mild soreness for 1-3 days after preparation. The gold crown itself is extremely comfortable once cemented, and many patients report that gold restorations are among the most comfortable dental work they have received.
Most dental insurance plans cover gold crowns at the same rate as other crown types — typically 50% of the cost after the deductible is met. Some plans may specify an allowance based on the least expensive alternative treatment. Call (847) 696-1919 to verify your specific coverage before scheduling.
Gold crowns are ideal for patients who: have a back molar needing a crown where aesthetics are not a concern, grind or clench their teeth heavily (gold handles bruxism better than porcelain), want maximum longevity from their restoration, or have had porcelain crowns fracture in the past. Dr. Loukas evaluates each patient individually and gives an honest recommendation based on your clinical situation.
Technically yes, but it is very rarely recommended for front teeth (incisors and canines) where appearance matters significantly. Some patients request gold on front teeth for personal style reasons, which is a valid patient preference — Dr. Loukas will discuss the clinical implications and aesthetic outcome honestly before proceeding. For most patients, gold is best reserved for posterior molars.
Interested in a Permanent
Gold Restoration?
Dr. Loukas will evaluate your tooth and give you an honest recommendation — whether that’s gold, zirconia, porcelain, or another option that fits your goals and budget.
714 W Higgins Rd, Park Ridge, IL 60068 · Serving Park Ridge, Niles, Des Plaines, and Northwest Chicago
