Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Restorations

1How can Dr. Farnum help me take control of my dental health?

Dr. Farnum will work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan providing:

Defense against Recurring Decay
Long Lasting Restorations
Biocompatible Materials to Support Health
Cost Effective Investment
No-Scrape Dental Cleaning and Checkups for Maintenance

2How Can I Defend against recurring decay?

Gold and porcelain can help return teeth to form and function. Gold and porcelain restorations, when properly fitted and placed, are longer lasting, healthier, and provide the best barrier against recurring tooth decay than any other dental material. Gold and porcelain do not shrink or expand as composite and silver fillings do. What does this mean for you? Less recurring decay means less re-drilling of your teeth, less time in a dentists chair, less expense, less pain, healthier teeth and a happier you throughout your lifetime.

3What materials provide long lasting restorations?

Gold Lasts. When place and sealed properly, gold restoration have an accepted lifespan of 32 years. Properly fitted gold restorations can last throughout a patients lifetime. Porcelain has an advantage of aesthetics but does not have as long of an average life span as gold will. However, when considerately placed, they too can last a lifetime.

4Why should I choose Dr. Farnum for my gold and porcelain restoration?

Skill and Mastery. Successful gold and porcelain restoration requires a higher degree of skill and mastery than composite and silver applications. Few dentists can match Dr. Farnum’s level of training, years of experience, and attention to detail. He is a master in the art of gold and porcelain restoration. Properly crafted and fitted restorations provide better service and are longer lasting.

5How does the cost of gold and porcelain compare to cost of composite and amalgam?

Gold and Porcelain are an Investment. While the up-front cost of gold and porcelain restorations is greater than that of composite or amalgam, the lifetime costs are typically far less. Investing in gold and porcelain restorations means fewer visits to the dentist in the future for replacement, repair, or more drastic procedures. This not only saves money in the long run, it avoids the pain and inconvenience of future problems and saves your teeth.

1What do you mean by cost effective investment?

Gold and Porcelain are a Cost-Effective Investment. Silver and composite fillings typically last less than 10 years followed by recurring decay. This means you may require, 2, 3 and likely more fillings over the life span of one expertly fitted gold filling, lasting an average of 32 years. The problem isn’t just paying for each additional filling, there is recurring decay, re-drilling, larger more expensive fillings, more tooth trauma, and more time in a dentists chair. While the up-front cost of a gold restoration is greater, the lifetime costs are far less. The investment in gold and porcelain restoration means fewer dental procedures for replacements, repair, or more drastic procedures. This not only saves money in the long run, it typically saves your teeth, avoiding the pain and inconvenience of future problems such as root canals, extractions and dentures. Gold and porcelain restorations mean less future re-drilling of your teeth, less time in a dentists chair, less ongoing expense, less pain, healthier teeth and a happier you throughout your lifetime.

2What bio-compatible materials are best for my whole-body health?

Gold and Porcelain are Bio-Compatible. Dr. Farnum has researched and evaluated currently available dental materials to find the top performers. Aren’t we lucky that gold and porcelain, the two best materials for dental repair, are also highly bio-compatible? Few individuals have sensitivities to the high quality gold/platinum alloy or true porcelain material that Dr. Farnum uses. He uses a specially formulated 90% gold 10% platinum alloy. The resulting alloy is essentially inert, minimizing re-activity while maximizing performance. Dr. Farnum also uses True Porcelain which is colored glass made from pure sand or silicon. This too is considered biologically non-reactive or inert. For those patients who prefer composite materials, Dr. Farnum recommends Diamond Crown. For individuals with sensitivities, Dr. Farnum is willing to work with you and your doctor, or recommend a doctor, to help determine the material that is right for you.

3What is the number one reason that I should choose Dr. Farnum as my dentist?

Dr. Farnum is a master at gold and porcelain restoration which are the best performing materials for dental restoration. Few dentists offer gold and porcelain restoration using the high quality materials and the high level of workmanship that Dr. Farnum delivers. An investment in gold and porcelain restoration is an investment in your teeth and your health.

4Why Gold and True Porcelain for restoration?

Gold is mother nature’s gift to dentistry. Gold is the best material to use for dental restoration (fillings and crowns). When properly fitted and placed, gold will provide more years of service and defend against recurring cavities better than any other dental material. The next best material is true porcelain which can be colored to match the tooth. Many people prefer porcelain for cosmetic reasons, it looks prettier. Porcelain is considered second best to gold because, being glass, it is subject to breakage. Your teeth will be healthier and last longer with properly fitted gold and porcelain restorations.

5What if I want a Silver/Amalgam Filling?

Dr. Farnum is respectful of patients wishes. If you want a silver filling, he can provide you with a referral to another dentist.