Why Gold Foils?
Lecturer,
Operative Dentistry,
Presented
at the Annual Meeting of the
Reprinted from the
Journal,
IN THIS MODERN AGE of dentistry, with the high speed and
other up-to-date equipment, we have a tendency to forget the fine art of cavity
preparation. Gold foil, more than any other type of procedure, offers an
answer to this problem. It is an exacting preparation and tests the skill of
the operator. When well done, no other restoration can compare to it.
Over the years, many new filling materials have been developed,
especially the plastics under a variety of trade names, but, to date, none have
been satisfactory as a restorative material.
Owing to the fact that the plastics and cement silicates are
subject to change of form during the hardening process, and that they are
lacking in crushing resistance and edge strength as compared with most of the
non-plastics, they are not nearly so permanent in character. From a standpoint
of lasting qualities, gold is the king of restorative materials. In some
sections of the
Since the introduction of the modern cast gold inlay, the
silicates and acrylic resins, the use of cohesive gold has diminished. This is
to be deplored since there is no material to compare with it as a preserver of
tooth structure. However, gold, as a restorative material, still occupies an
important place in dentistry and will probably continue to do so for a long
time.
The principal disadvantages of the cohesive gold foil
restoration is the time required for its introduction in large cavities, and
the possible physical and nervous strain on both patient and operator resulting
from its manipulation. These disadvantages may be reduced to a comfortable
minimum with the increased skill of the operator. In fact, many times, with an
experienced operator, gold foil operations can he less strenuous on patient and
operator than the construction of a gold inlay. This is particularly so in the
case of the Class V or Class III preparation where gold is indicated.
The many failures resulting from an indiscriminate use of
the gold inlay, the silicates and acrylic resins by the profession during the
last several years have gradually led to a revival of interest in the cohesive
gold foil restoration, and it is slowly returning to the place which it
deserves.
If the full story of dentistry 's
service to humanity is ever told, gold foil must be given the major credit for
this service. If the source is sought for the outstanding achievement in saving
the natural teeth after they are attacked by decay, gold foil must claim its
full share in this beneficial function.
For an appraisal of the gold foil restoration,2 the work of Dr. Gerald Stibbs
of the
When one reviews the literature of operative dentistry for
the past fifty years, it is apparent that the great leaders in the field have
thoroughly and painstakingly and brilliantly taught by word, picture and clinic
all the fundamental principles as well as the mechanical refinements to
produce the ultimate in restorative dentistry. Beyond the purely technical
presentations, there are also any number of pleas for
an increased use of foil, and for a keener perception of the obligation of the
profession to perform restorative procedures more conscientiously and more
universally. There are three reasons for this.
First — The continued and increased
use of foil in dental practice is so tremendously important to the future
security of dentistry as a truly scientific profession.
Second — Repetition in one form or another is essential to
maintain on the scales of dental practice the current degree of balance for
the adequate use of gold foil.
Third — There has been an
unfortunate reticence in emphasizing the economic soundness of fine operative
procedures for a just remuneration. From a purely operative point of view, foil
takes second place to nothing else in the incipient stages of decay or erosion.
It is of particular value in the small pit and fissure
cavities, in the gingival third cavities of the incisor, cuspid
and bicuspid teeth, in the mesial and especially the
distal surfaces of the incisors and cuspids when incisal angles are not involved; in the proximal surfaces
of some posteriors, especially the upper and lower first bicuspids; and finally
in the class six cavity or the cupped out depression in the dentin where the
enamel of a cusp tip has been worn through." While generally familiar to
members of this Academy, it may not be remiss to be reminded of the properties
of gold which make it so valuable to us.
Gold is one of the first metals used by man and owing to its
varied and remarkable properties as well as its intrinsic value,
it is recognized as the most noble of metals. From the earliest historic
records down through the ages, it has played a prominent part in the
development of our present knowledge of metallurgy. Several collodial
forms of gold have been introduced for its therapeutic value in malignant
diseases.
Gold possesses a number of important characteristics which
render it of special value as a restorative material.
These characteristics may be summarized as follows:
First — Cohesiveness to a greater extent
than any other metal. This quality depends largely on purity. The best golds for restorative purposes are about 999 parts in 1000
pure gold.
Second — Softness during manipulation.
This quality depends largely on purity.
Third — Malleability. It exceeds
all other metals in this respect. It may be reduced by beating to 1/250,000 of
an inch in thickness.
Fourth — Ductility. It is the most
ductile of all metals. One grain of pure gold may be drawn into a wire nearly
five hundred feet long.
Fifth — Hardness in bulk form. Gold is about one-third as
hard as the diamond. This property is largely increased by alloying and by
hammering or rolling. lts Brinell Hardness is given as 48.0 in comparison with copper
74.0 and silver 59.0.
C O H E S I V E G O L D F O I L
The prepared pellets that come in various sizes are the most
com-
monly
used. However, many gold foil operators prefer to roll their own from the 4 x 4
inch sheets. The No. 4 sheet can be hand-rolled but cannot he prepared
successfully by the manufacturer. The main advantage is that each pellet has
more bulk and less mass. The advantages and disadvantages of cohesive gold as a
restorative material are:
ADVANTAGES
Insolubility in the oral fluids.
Perfect adaptability to cavity walls if properly worked.
Perfect weldability
to a cold state.
Great density, crushing resistance and
edge strength.
Low tendency to molecular change, since it
is free from objectionable shrinkage or expansion.
Capability of receiving and maintaining a
high polish.
No inter-cementing substance necessary.
Excellent tissue tolerance.
DISADVANTAGES
The color may be objectionable in certain areas of the
mouth.
Difficulty of manipulation by
inexperienced operators.
Force of compaction in very deep lesions may have ad-verse
traumatic effect.
Periodontally involved teeth with
a great amount of bone loss are poor risks for foil restorations.
Gold is insoluble in and is not oxidized by the oral fluids
or their contents. Consequently, restorations made with it do not discolor or
disintegrate. If properly condensed and wedged into place, gold foil is capable
of extremely close adaptation to cavity walls.
Dr. G. V. Black,3 the father of
operative dentistry, proved this in his experiments many years ago. The
hardness of gold restorations depends on the efficiency and amount of malleting used during its introduction to the cavity. The
elasticity of dentin assists in producing a near perfect type of adaptation.
The grip of the elastic dentin will depend upon the force with which the gold
is wedged between opposing cavity walls.
Factors influencing selection of gold foil as a restorative
material are as follows:
Strength of cavity walls.
Character of occlusion (strength of the
bite and character of excursions of the mandible).
Presence or absence of abrasion.
Accessibility of the cavity.
Skill of the operator.
Esthetic consideration.
The care which the patient gives the mouth and the susceptibility
to caries will always have a bearing. Gold is the most permanent of the restorative
materials and its need will be proportional to the demand for lasting qualities
in these cases. The profession is indebted to such men as Doctors Woodbury,
True, Ferrier, Hollenback, Rule and others for their
untiring efforts and dedication to the profession so that we may do better
dentistry.
This Academy should do all in its power to remind others in
the profession of the tremendous merits of gold foil as a restorative medium.
When used properly, and where indicated, it is still one of the most permanent
and excellent means at our disposal for saving teeth in health and function.
Current techniques of manipulation make its use no longer a problem in respect
to stress or strain on either patient or operator. There is no restoration more
beautiful and serviceable than a well inserted gold foil. The satisfaction it
renders to both operator and patient is indeed gratifying.
REFERENCES
McGeehee, True, Inskipp: A Textbook of Operative Dentistry. McGraw-Hill
Book Co., The Blakiston
Division, 1956, pp. 355-382.
W. J. Simon: Clinical Operative Dentistry. W. B. Saunders
Co.,
G. V. Black: Operative Dentistry, Vol. II, Physical
Properties of Filling Materials and Correlation of Forces Concerned,
pp. 224-237. Medico-Dental Publishing Co.,
Scanned & Edited By Dr. John R. Sechena