Gilbert Young, CDT, MDT
About
Mr. Gilbert Young, CDT is a graduate of the University of North Texas and has been engaged in dental technology since 1984. He studied dental ceramics under Asami Tanaka at the Tanaka Dental Technology Institute in Chicago and pursued advanced training with renowned masters such as Makoto Yamamoto and Klaus Muterthies. In 1990, he received first prize in Dentsply's National Laboratory Award for Ceramic Artistry. Two years later, he founded GNS Dental Studio, Inc. in Dallas, Texas—an elite laboratory dedicated to esthetic and implant restorative solutions. Mr. Young has lectured throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and Europe, including presentations for several prestigious dental academies and Universities. A strong advocate for mentorship, he has helped develop the next generation of dental technicians through hands-on training and educational programs. He is an Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and an Associate Member of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. Outside of dentistry, Mr. Young is principal clarinetist with the Irving Symphony Orchestra.
Presentation Topic
Creating Natural Beauty Through Esthetic Illusion: How Shape, Surface, and Ceramics Solve Every Day, Real-World Laboratory Challenges
Learning Objectives
Objective
- Recognize how tooth shape and contour influence the perception of natural esthetics, and apply these principles to enhance harmony and believability in restorative cases
- Understand the role of surface texture and gloss in light diffusion, and learn how to manipulate surface characteristics to create the illusion of vitality and depth
- Compare the optical properties of commonly used ceramic materials—including feldspathic porcelain, lithium disilicate, and zirconia—and evaluate their effectiveness in solving esthetic challenges through visual illusion
Presentation Details
Lecture Description
The esthetic cases that arrive in a specialty dental laboratory are rarely straightforward or ideal. While patients often focus on shade matching or whitening as their primary concerns, achieving truly convincing outcomes goes far beyond color alone. In reality, many of these restorations succeed—or fail—based on the illusion of natural tooth structure under less-than-perfect conditions. The ability to create this illusion relies on a deep understanding of shape, surface texture, and material behavior—tools that must be applied skillfully, sometimes instinctively, and always in harmony. Whether managing discoloration, asymmetry, aging dentition, or challenging substrates, the integration of contour, light diffusion, and optical ceramic properties becomes essential. This presentation will explore how dental technicians and clinicians can work together to overcome common esthetic obstacles by focusing not only on matching—but on designing restorations that belong in the smile.