You may have heard the term "biomimetic dentistry" and wondered what it means. Biomimetic dentistry is the practice of dental preservation and tooth conservation. Using advanced adhesives and materials, biomimetic dentists believe in working with the teeth you have, even if those teeth are in less-than-perfect condition.
Biomimetic dentistry seeks to save the natural tooth.
Standard cosmetic and restorative dentistry often involves extracting partially or fully damaged teeth and replacing them with implants made of materials including titanium and ceramic. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this artificial approach, as the new copies of teeth will look great, last for many years, and give the patient back their ability to smile and chew their food.
Biomimetic dentistry takes a more natural approach to fixing what's wrong with your teeth. The goal with this type of restorative dentistry is to keep as much of the natural tooth as possible, focusing the treatment efforts on adding to the remaining strength of the natural teeth.
Sealing and layering are key elements of biomimetic dentistry.
One of the key components of biomimetic dentistry is sealing the remaining teeth to create a very strong barrier against bacteria. Since it's the bacteria that cause plaque buildup, tooth decay, and gum disease, this preventive treatment saves existing teeth from further cavities.
A second crucial component of the biomimetic approach is the layering of composite bonding material. This is the "glue" or filling used to hold tooth restorations in place and fill in chips and cracks. The biomimetic approach is to apply the composite in thin layers and allow longer times for it to cure. This will produce stronger, longer-lasting tooth repair bonds.
Goals and benefits of biomimetic dentistry.
The goals of this type of dental treatment are as follows:
Conserve and retain dental pulps.
Eliminate sources of decay.
Remove cracks that make teeth vulnerable to bacteria.
Save and strengthen natural teeth.
One of the greatest benefits of biomimetic dentistry is that it will normally entail far less physical discomfort for patients. Rather than undergoing a painful root canal and subsequent drilling of the implant spot, a bad molar will be treated without removing it and will be restored to function by non-surgical methods.
This minimalist approach offers one of the greatest dental benefits of all: it costs far less than standard cosmetic and restorative dentistry. When a patient has a mouthful of problems, this cost savings is significant.
If you want a new smile through cosmetic dentistry, but you're afraid of the discomfort and expense of implants, ask your cosmetic dentist about biomimetic treatments to restore your teeth.
