Dr. Colby James Gerth, DMD
How he trained, how he works, and why even a small filling at Pearl is done with aesthetics in mind.
Everyday and cosmetic dentistry in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, with time for your questions, work that looks like you, and rooms that don’t feel like a dentist’s office.
Aesthetics & dentistry in Lincoln Park
Dental care has started to feel rushed, with little thought for how the work looks. We take our time, and every treatment is done with aesthetics in mind, even a small filling. So the work looks natural, and your smile still looks like you.
Dr. Colby James Gerth, DMD, opened Pearl at 1009 W Webster Ave at the beginning of 2025. We do it all here, from cleanings and fillings to veneers, Invisalign and Botox, so you have one dentist who knows your teeth, and even a filling gets the same care for how it looks as a veneer.
“What really sets my practice apart is that we approach dentistry like an art form.”
A dental office that doesn’t feel like one
Most dental offices are built to look clinical: bright light, bare walls, a waiting room you want to leave. Pearl was designed never to feel cold or clinical. You wait in a salon under chandeliers, pass a gallery wall of framed portraits on the way in, and are seen in treatment rooms that look nothing like a typical dental office.
If you get nervous at the dentist, this helps. Several of our patients have told us the room itself put them at ease.
“Im usually very anxious at dental offices but this office is incredibly inviting, clean and doesnt have the sterile look.”
How we work at Pearl
A lot of dental care feels rushed now. You’re in and out, told what you need, and left to work out why. At Pearl we slow down, so you can ask your questions, see your options and decide without pressure.
- 01
We take our time
We hear you out and answer every question before anything is decided, so you never agree to treatment you don’t understand.
- 02
Natural results
Cosmetic work and injectables are planned around your face, so you still look like you, never overdone.
- 03
Only what you need
We show you what we found and offer only the treatment you need, with your options and the cost in front of you before you decide.
- 04
A light hand
Cleanings, fillings and injections done gently and at your pace, for anyone who has dreaded the dentist.
- 05
Every detail considered
Even a small filling is shaped and shaded to match, so it blends into the tooth around it.
Your first visit, step by step
Many of our patients tell us they used to dread the dentist. We start by talking, explain what we’re doing as we go, and nothing is done without your say. If it’s been a while, come anyway. We’ll start where you are.
- We listen first: what’s bothering you, and what you’d like to change.
- A thorough exam: digital X-rays, an oral cancer screening, an exam and a cleaning.
- Your options, explained: what we found, the timeline and the cost, before you decide.
- Gentle, careful care, at your pace, from the first visit on.
“If you ever had fears about going to a dentist, Dr. Colby will put them all to rest!”
Who comes to Pearl?
Lincoln Park neighbors and their families, people who left a busy corporate office because they didn’t feel heard, and patients who travel in for cosmetic work. Many came to us looking for a dentist who would take the time to listen.
Everyday care and cosmetic work, under one roof
General, cosmetic and restorative dentistry, and facial aesthetics: cleanings and exams, fillings, gum care, veneers, whitening, bonding, Invisalign, crowns and bridges, implants, extractions, Botox and fillers.
So you don’t need a second office for cosmetic work, and any change to your smile is planned by the dentist who already knows your teeth.
Where to find us
1009 W Webster Ave, across Webster Avenue from St. Vincent de Paul Church, near DePaul’s campus. Open Monday to Thursday 9 to 5 and Friday 9 to 3, with street parking nearby.
“Dr. Colby took the time to hear me out and ask questions.”
“Since moving to Chicago, I had such a hard time finding a trustworthy dentist. I tried a big corporate popular office here and did not feel heard at all. … Im usually very anxious at dental offices but this office is incredibly inviting, clean and doesnt have the sterile look. I went in for my cleaning and xrays and had the best experience.”
Venezia Nicoletta“He listened carefully, respected that I wanted a natural result, and didn’t try to upsell.”
“I went in for Botox, and Dr. Colby really took his time to understand the look I was going for. He listened carefully, respected that I wanted a natural result, and didn’t try to upsell for any unnecessary treatments. The procedure itself was smooth and painless.”
Stephanie Staudohar“Everyone in our family now goes to the practice.”
“Dr Gerth is a wonderful dentist across a variety of dental needs. He is skilled, professional, and caring, and really goes the extra mile to make sure we are comfortable with the dentistry as well as in the treatment experience. … Everyone in our family now goes to the practice.”
Claudia Rosen“The most painless cleaning I’ve ever gotten.”
“Great Dentist super nice and professional! The most painless cleaning I’ve ever gotten highly recommend!”
Sebastian Rivera“Dr Colby listened to all of my concerns and had such a light touch.”
“I first came here for Botox appointments, specifically for my crows feet and to get a lip flip. Dr Colby listened to all of my concerns and had such a light touch. … As someone who has extreme dental anxiety I know I will be in good hands at pearl.”
Madisson Gillespie“They’ve been great every step of the way.”
“I’ve had quite a bit of dental work done with them, including Invisalign, fillings, and a tooth extraction, and they’ve been great every step of the way. They’ve also been very accommodating and have worked with me around my timeline and insurance, which I really appreciate.”
Javier Zermeno“If you ever had fears about going to a dentist, Dr. Colby will put them all to rest!”
“If you ever had fears about going to a dentist, Dr. Colby will put them all to rest!! … I highly recommend him as your dentist!! His staff is wonderful and welcoming!!”
Daniel Cross“It’s exactly what I asked for and looks so natural!”
“He’s very thorough, knowledgeable and professional. The office is so cozy and inviting! Not only do I trust him 100% when it comes to my dental health he also gave me the best Botox ever! It’s exactly what I asked for and looks so natural!”
Kat Burke“Truly the best cleaning I’ve had in years!”
“I switched to Pearl for the first time and it was truly the best cleaning I’ve had in years! Freddie and Dr Colby kept it real with areas of improvement, while also telling me the good parts about my dental health. See you in 6 months!”
Shaun Hughes“Got the courage to get Botox and it was painless!”
“I am terrified and nervous of needles . Got the courage to get Botox and it was painless! … This office is a gem in the neighborhood.”
Maricela CoronaTraining and credentials
Certified for implants and for Botox and fillers, so the cosmetic side of your care is in the same trained hands as your checkups. Below that, the whitening we offer and the products we recommend for home.
Credentials and associations
- American Dental AssociationMember
- HiossenCertified for dental implants
- American Academy of Facial EstheticsCertified for Botox and fillers
- InvisalignClear aligner provider, with the iTero scanner
Whitening we offer
- Philips Zoom
- Opalescence
- Colgate Optic White
At home, we recommend
- Oral-B
- Waterpik
- Crest
- Colgate
- Sensodyne
Meet Dr. Colby
From a checkup to a smile makeover
Cleanings and fillings, veneers, Invisalign, Botox and fillers, each planned so the result looks like you.
Come and see the practice
Book online in a minute, or call us. Your first visit starts with a conversation.