The word biomimetic refers to the act of mimicking life, which is what restorative dental procedures should always strive to do. This goes beyond just mimicking the aesthetic appearance of a natural tooth when doing a filling or crown. It also (and primarily) means imitating the physical and mechanical properties of the tooth's different components and layers. Below the hard, mineralized layer of enamel, which acts as the armor to a tooth, is dentin, a softer, more organic layer that has more flexibility than enamel. In conjunction, enamel and dentin allow a tooth to withstand and deflect remarkably strong forces without the tooth suffering any fractures. When biting and chewing, enamel alone would shatter like a porcelain dish dropped on the ground, and dentin alone would wear away like chalk on a blackboard. Put the two together though, and the genius of the design becomes apparent.

 

These concepts are integral to treatment decisions in dentistry. Which filling material should I use on this deep cavity? How do I fix this chipped tooth so it is less likely to chip again? How do I replace this old filling with decay around it so that it lasts even longer the second time? These outcomes are dictated by many factors: the filling material used, the adhesive holding it in place, how close the filling will be to the gum line, an imbalanced bite, etc.

 

With biomimetic dentistry, we are taking the time to treat patients with quality and attention to detail, seeing them as individuals with unique dental anatomy and physiology, and adapting our techniques to meet those specific needs. In doing so, we can mimic nature's strengths, which then extends the life span of the dental work, thereby reducing/avoiding repeated work on the same areas.