Nelson Dentistry: Jonathan Nelson, DMD

09/19/2026

Dr. Gerald Stibbs was one of the most influential educators and advocates for direct gold foil restorations. Through his teaching at the University of Washington and his gold foil courses, he helped train generations of dentists in a technique that demanded precision, patience, and a very high standard of care.

In a 1985 article in Operative Dentistry, he wrote:

“The procedure should not be unduly arduous for either the patient or the operator. It should conserve the tooth structure, maintain pulpal health, and avoid damage to the tooth and supporting and surrounding tissues. The objective is to provide a lifetime, superlative service for the tooth concerned.”

That sentiment still holds true today. It’s exactly what I hope to accomplish with restorations like this one.

If you enjoy gold dentistry, direct gold foil, and restorative craftsmanship, you can find more at:
www.instagram.com/nelson_dentistry

06/21/2026

Nothing more beautiful than the contrast of gold on white enamel.

Academy of Gold Foil Operators RV Tucker Study Clubs Academy Academy of Operative Dentistry

04/27/2026

Composite lost and gone.

Replaced with gold foil.

Condensed, sealed, finished, and polished-
a restoration designed to adapt and seal, not a glued in filling.

Durable margins.

Tooth preserved.

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04/20/2026

There’s a moment in gold foil where it doesn’t look like a “filling” anymore.

It starts as loose, matte particles—almost chalky.

But as it’s condensed, layer by layer, something changes.

The surface tightens.

The texture becomes dense, almost woven.
And then the light starts to move differently.

Not scattered. Not dull.

But reflected—clean, controlled, alive.
That reflection isn’t just cosmetic.

It’s a signal of density. Of adaptation. Of a material being compacted into itself until it behaves as one.

No bonding agent. Just geometry, pressure, and time.

Craft shows up in places most people will never notice.

But once you see it… you can’t unsee it.

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04/08/2026

When decay or fracture compromises half the tooth, a half crown starts to make sense.

Only fix what's broken.

A tooth colored omposite filling is excellent in the right indication, but it is not the ideal material for replacing missing cusps under heavy function. Porcelain partial crowns can be beautiful, yet margins on the occlusal table are vulnerable to chipping. Gold remains one of the few materials durable enough to restore lost structure while still conserving a remarkable amount of natural tooth.

A restoration like this preserves what is still strong, replaces what is no longer trustworthy, and keeps the treatment as conservative as possible.

03/31/2026

Repeat customer.

Patients may not use words like contour, emergence, or proximal form—but they can absolutely feel the difference.

When a restoration is shaped carefully, with a proper contact and smooth, deliberate anatomy, comfort becomes part of the treatment.

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03/25/2026

03/22/2026

Light is the judge.

It reveals every surface—
where it reflects, where it’s absorbed, where it breaks.

Two planes coming together so seamlessly
the gold appears painted into the tooth.

But placement is just the start.

The real work is still ahead: finishing, refining, polishing.



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03/18/2026

Good dentistry does not always wait for perfect timing.

A failing amalgam with recurrent decay, restored during active orthodontic treatment.
Not the most common time to complete definitive restorative care—but sometimes waiting is not the better option. When a restoration is breaking down and decay is present, the tooth still deserves a durable, well-sealed solution.
Gold remains one of the most precise and long-lasting ways to restore a posterior tooth.

dentistry

03/10/2026

Fixing decay can be quick — or it can be built to last.

This tooth had a composite filling that had failed with recurrent decay on the distal.

Since the mesial portion of the composite filling was placed at the same time, it made sense to replace the entire restoration now rather than repair half of it and return later to redo the rest.

Doing it all at once means:
• fewer appointments
• less total cost over time
• a restoration designed to last decades

Instead of replacing composite with more composite, the tooth was shaped deliberately — preserving strong enamel and creating form that gold can seal, support, and refine.

Gold restorations don’t depend on bonding alone.

They rely on precise preparation, finished margins, and controlled occlusion.

It takes more time.

Durability usually does.