Today we’d like to introduce you to Colby James Gerth.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up on a horse farm in a small town in Southern Illinois, where life revolved around rodeos and long days working outdoors. Riding in rodeos from a young age taught me discipline and how to stay grounded while pushing myself to compete and grow. Those experiences shaped a lot of who I am today and continue to influence the way I approach both life and my career.
I’ve always been passionate about science and education, which led me to earn my bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences with minors in Chemistry and Business Administration. During college, I had the opportunity to participate in scientific research that was later published in the Journal of Morphology in 2017. Being involved in research gave me a strong appreciation for detail and the importance of constantly learning and evolving.
I later attended Midwestern University in the suburbs of Chicago, where I earned my Doctorate in Dental Medicine. After graduation, I moved straight to downtown Chicago and began practicing dentistry in 2020. From the beginning, I knew I wanted my career to go beyond traditional dentistry. I’ve always been drawn to aesthetics, confidence, and the artistry involved in transforming a smile and helping people feel like the best version of themselves.
In 2021, I unexpectedly stepped into the modeling world and signed with BMG Models in both Chicago and New York. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to work as a published model both nationally and internationally, with runway and editorial work becoming my favorite parts of the industry. I’ve walked in shows during Los Angeles Fashion Week and Chicago Fashion Week, and modeling has given me a unique perspective on beauty, branding, fashion, and self-expression.
At the beginning of 2025, I opened my own Aesthetics and Dentistry office in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. My vision at Pearl is to combine high-level cosmetic dentistry with an elevated patient experience that feels artistic and personal. I love blending healthcare, aesthetics, and creativity into one space, and I’m excited to continue building a brand that reflects all of those passions. Ultimately, my dream is to become Chicago’s Celebrity Dentist and create a name that bridges dentistry, fashion, beauty, and media in a completely unique way.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it definitely has not been a smooth road. Every stage of my career has come with its own challenges, and a lot of my growth has come from learning how to adapt under pressure and continue pushing forward.
One of my earliest major challenges was publishing scientific research. The peer review process was incredibly intense and required years of revisions, patience, and persistence. From the beginning of the project to finally becoming a published scientific author in 2017, the process took about four to five years. That experience taught me resilience and how important it is to stay committed to long-term goals even when progress feels slow.
Dental school brought a completely different set of challenges. Balancing an intense academic workload while simultaneously providing patient care in clinic was demanding both mentally and physically. It required discipline and the ability to perform under constant pressure. Then after graduation, I realized that mastering clinical hand skills was only one part of being a successful dentist. I also had to develop leadership skills, communication skills, and learn how to manage patient relationships and expectations.
One unique challenge I still face today is my age perception. Patients joke that I look 15 years old at least three times a week, and earning trust as a young dentist has taken time and consistency. I’ve had to work harder to establish credibility and reassurance with patients from the moment they walk into the office. Over time, I learned that trust is built through authenticity, results, and the patient experience.
When I opened my own practice in 2025, the challenges shifted again. Building a business while actively practicing dentistry requires constant multitasking and long hours. One of the hardest parts was finding a team that truly believed in the vision and culture I wanted to create for the brand. I wanted something modern, fashion-forward, elevated, and patient-centered, and finding people who shared that vision was critical.
Today, I can honestly say I’ve built the best team in Chicago. We work incredibly hard, continue growing every day, and have had the opportunity to serve some of the most iconic individuals in the city. While the road has not been easy, every obstacle has shaped me into a stronger clinician, business owner, and leader.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Right now, I feel like my “Hannah Montana” double life is finally starting to merge together in the best way possible. For years, I lived between two completely different worlds — dentistry and modeling — and now I finally have the opportunity to combine both passions into one vision and brand.
Professionally, I’m a cosmetic-focused dentist and business owner in Chicago, but I also work as a professional model signed with BMG Models. In dentistry, I specialize in aesthetic-driven care and creating beautiful, natural, confidence-enhancing results. What really sets my practice apart is that we approach dentistry like an art form. Even something as routine as a small filling is done with aesthetics in mind. We believe every detail matters, and we only deliver work that looks beautiful and natural.
Outside of dentistry, I’m incredibly proud of the runway and editorial work I’ve been able to be part of in Chicago and beyond. The art, film, and fashion industries welcomed me with open arms and a level of enthusiasm and support that truly surprised me. One thing I admire about the fashion industry is how willing experienced professionals are to help younger talent grow and succeed. I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside amazing creative teams producing editorials, campaigns, and runway productions that supported emerging designers and artists throughout Chicago.
Some of my proudest moments have been being published both domestically and internationally through editorial work. Two projects that stand out the most to me were The Bold Edition for Flanelle Magazine and the Skins editions for Period Magazine. Those projects felt incredibly cinematic and creatively fulfilling.
As I’ve built my dental practice, I’ve carried that same artistic mindset into the patient experience. I never wanted the office to feel cold or clinical. Instead, I wanted it to feel comforting and inspiring — more like walking into a luxury boutique than a traditional dental office. Everything from the branding to the patient experience to the dentistry itself reflects that philosophy.
What I’m most proud of today is the community we’re building and the incredible individuals we’ve had the opportunity to serve in Chicago. Being trusted by A-list creatives, artists, entrepreneurs, and public figures is something I never take for granted. I think what truly sets me apart is my ability to bridge science, healthcare, fashion, aesthetics, and art into one cohesive experience that feels authentic to who I am.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I think dentistry is going to face a major turning point. My hope is that the industry moves away from heavy corporate control and the mindset of prioritizing profits over patient care. Dentistry has started to feel rushed and transactional, almost like a fast-food model of healthcare, where volume matters more than quality, trust, and long-term patient outcomes.
I believe patients are becoming more educated and more aware of the difference between being treated like a number versus being genuinely cared for. Because of that, I think there will be a growing demand for practices that focus on personalized care, emotional comfort, artistry, and truly exceptional results. Slow, intentional dentistry — where patient experience, communication, and precision matter — will become more valuable than ever.
For me personally, aesthetics and humanity are inseparable from healthcare. Dentistry is not just about fixing teeth; it’s about confidence, self-image, trust, and quality of life. I think one of the biggest shifts we’ll continue to see is the blending of healthcare, aesthetics, wellness, and luxury experience into one elevated form of patient care. Patients no longer want cold clinical environments. They want connection, comfort, transparency, and artistry.
Unfortunately, I do think a lot of business-focused “gurus” and corporate systems have removed some of the humanity from dentistry. My goal is to help restore that trust one patient at a time by creating an experience that feels authentic, personal, and centered around excellence rather than production numbers. I truly believe Pearl Aesthetics and Dentistry is where those changes in the industry will begin. We are building a practice model that prioritizes patient experience, emotional care, artistry, and gold-standard outcomes while still feeling approachable.
Beyond dentistry itself, I also hope to continue growing my presence within the art, fashion, and film industries because I think those worlds naturally connect through aesthetics, confidence, and self-expression. Ultimately, I would love to become a celebrity dentist who helps bridge healthcare and media in a positive way — whether that’s through public speaking, interviews, talk shows, or educational platforms that help make dentistry more accessible for the public.
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