Getting a tooth restoration helps you to get your tooth fixed, but in most cases of traditional dental procedures, it usually comes with some negative effects on your tooth structure. Biomimetic dentistry aims at treating the affected tooth without destroying the tooth’s natural structure. It is a minimally invasive method that is based on emulating nature’s design when repairing tooth decay or damage.
Here are five ways the biomimetic approach has improved traditional restorations.
Safer Mercury-Free Fillings
Although the FDA says that the level of mercury in amalgam fillings is not high enough to harm patients, we all know that mercury can have harmful effects on the digestive, nervous and immune systems, as well as on your lungs and kidneys, especially in children and pregnant women. In fact, studies have shown that dentists and the people who work with amalgam fillings are at high risk of being affected. Therefore, composite fillings are a safer and healthier choice. They are free of mercury and mimic the natural tooth’s appearance hence keeping your smile healthy and looking good. In addition, tooth-colored fillings preserve the remaining tooth structure.
Dental Sealants
Biomimetic dentistry also involves sealing and bonding teeth to protect them from cavities, especially in children and people with dental anxiety. The process uses a tooth sealant, which is a thin composite resin that’s applied on the chewing surfaces to protect teeth against the build-up of germs and food particles. The application follows a careful procedure to ensure the effectiveness of the sealants. A technique called air abrasion is used to meticulously clean the tooth, getting rid of all bacteria, plaque, and decay, without destroying the healthy tooth structure. This technique is non-invasive, brief, and painless. Once the dentist cleans and examines the tooth, the composite coating is bonded to the tooth.
Regular Dental Visits
In line with preventive dentistry, biomimetic dentists prefer to prevent dental problems before they occur or treating them at their earliest stages. Other than brushing your teeth regularly, it’s important to go for cleaning and checkups at least once in six months. This way, the dentist will detect any issues early in advance and treat them before they completely destroy your teeth. You will protect your teeth from decay, damage, or other aesthetic problems.
Tooth Onlays
Biomimetic dentists do not restore teeth using crowns. Instead, they use onlays which enable them to save the patient’s natural tooth structure. An onlay is a composite coating that covers one or more cusps of the tooth that is damaged or decayed. Onlays last longer and help prevent more serious dental problems like root canals. They are a more conservative way of repairing damaged tooth and are less invasive than crowns. Tooth onlays are most appropriate for teeth that are too damaged to support tooth-colored fillings.
Tooth Veneers
Most people run to dental crowns when their teeth get damaged. While dental crowns are a good option, biomimetic dental veneers may be a better way to solve the problem. Imperfect or damaged teeth are common, but you don’t need to destroy them further with the traditional invasive cosmetic procedure. The biomimetic veneer treatment is far less intrusive and conserves most of the original tooth. The dentist removes very minimal tooth enamel so as to maintain the strength of your natural teeth. These shells of porcelain or composite resin are quite versatile and can correct several dental problems including chipped teeth, tooth stains, discoloration, short teeth, worn teeth, oddly-shaped teeth, gapped teeth, and crooked teeth. For help with biomimetic dental treatment, call 619-359-6569 for a free consultation.