Is gold really dead or making a comeback 2025?

Are zirconia and biomimetic dentistry sounding the final bell for precious metal restorations?

Is there still a place for gold in modern practice—and when is it actually the best option?

Dr. Lane Ochi joins Jaz for a rare live podcast episode to unpack the current and future role of gold restorations. From skyrocketing costs and lost lab skills, to emerging alternatives like milled cobalt chrome, this episode covers everything you wish dental school taught about gold.

They even dive into clever tricks for temporizing gold and discuss the surprising lab workaround that may save your patient money—without compromising function.

Protrusive Dental Pearl: You can achieve profound anesthesia for lower molars—including cracked, heavily worn ones—using Articaine buccal infiltrations instead of an ID block, even in dense bone cases.

🔑 Key nuance: Ensure blanching of the attached gingiva and infiltrate through the papillae for better effectiveness.

Watch the detailed technique breakdown (including patient feedback):

Articaine works—master the nuances! 

Key Takeaways

Highlights of this episode:

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Studies Mentioned in the Episode:

Catch another episode from Dr. Lane Ochi: Cracked Teeth and Dentistry’s Tough Questions with Dr Lane Ochi – PDP175

#PDPMainEpisodes  #BreadandButterDentistry #OrthoRestorative

🎓 Join the world’s leading organization dedicated to occlusion, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and restorative excellence — the American Equilibration Society (AES).

🗓️ AES Annual Meeting 2026 – “The Evolution of the Oral Physician”
 📍 February 18–19, 2026 · Chicago, Illinois
 Don’t miss Dr. Jaz Gulati and Dr. Mahmoud Ibrahim as featured speakers, presenting on “Occlusion Basics and Beyond”

This episode is eligible for 1 CE credit via the quiz on Protrusive Guidance.

This episode meets GDC Outcomes B and C.

AGD Subject Code: 250 OPERATIVE (RESTORATIVE)DENTISTRY – Preparation technology

Aim: To provide clinicians with a comprehensive understanding of the rationale, techniques, and clinical considerations for using gold restorations in modern restorative dentistry, including when and how to use them, cost-effective alternatives, and how to communicate value to patients.

Dentists will be able to –

1. Justify the use of gold restorations based on their mechanical properties, clinical longevity, and adaptability under occlusal forces.

2. Compare gold with alternative materials (e.g., zirconia, cobalt chrome) in terms of fit, performance, and cost-effectiveness.

3. Explain the principles of traditional and modern gold preparation designs, including vertical margins, bevels, and resistance features.