Biomimetic Dentistry: Tooth Restorations as Strong as Natural Teeth

Biomimetic Dentistry Mimics the Form and Function of Natural Teeth

“Bio” means life and “mimetic” means mimic. So, biomimetic “mimics life” – a biomimetic dental treatment is designed to mimic your natural teeth as closely as possible. And there is no better material for a tooth than the natural tooth’s structure itself. When you need a tooth restored or reconstructed due to decay or injury, the preservation of your natural tooth’s material and structure is always the top priority. Biomimetic dentistry is the restoration of teeth to emulate their natural biomechanical and aesthetic form and function so they are strong, sealed from bacterial infection, and last significantly longer than they would after undergoing traditional restorative dentistry techniques.

Biomimetic Dentistry Is:

• High-Tech: Strong, durable, tooth-colored composite tooth restorations are used to restore the problem tooth.
• Ultraconservative: The treatment minimizes cutting to avoid the removal of too much of the natural tooth structure and to keep a safe distance from the nerve.
• Minimally Invasive: Deep drilling is refrained from and drilling in general is minimized.
• Aesthetic Perfection: Each restoration is a customized work of art that looks and functions like natural teeth.

The Drawbacks of Traditional Dentistry

Many of today’s most common restorative dental procedures are not all that modern. These dental procedures, taught in dental schools since the 1950s and earlier, are based on methods that have “worked” in the past, yet they are not backed up by science and research.

Three of the most common dental techniques for treating teeth today are tooth fillings, crowns (also known as caps), and root canals. As useful as these treatments have been until now, they do have their limitations and drawbacks.

The Pros and Cons of Tooth Fillings

There are two mainstream materials and techniques for treating cavities caused by decay: dental amalgam and bonding composite.

Dental amalgam fillings are also known as silver fillings or mercury fillings. This material contains bound mercury, one of the most toxic elements on earth. Chewing on these restorations can release mercury from the filling material which then allows the mercury to cross the blood-brain barrier and settle into the body. This toxic material will accumulate in the body over time, which can lead to greater health complications overall.

Removal of mercury amalgam fillings is necessary, but if not done properly this procedure can cause mercury particles to become airborne while the fillings are being drilled out, threatening the health of the patient, dental staff, and the environment.

Besides being unsightly, and graying over time, amalgam mercury fillings are also placed in such a way that they do not strengthen the tooth. In fact, this material and technique will eventually fracture the tooth, causing the need for further dental repairs. Ultimately, the longer an amalgam filling sits in your tooth, the more danger it poses to your oral health and entire well-being.

Composite fillings, also known as white fillings or bonded fillings, are composed of a material and require a technique that is far superior to amalgam mercury fillings. Not only does the composite mimic the look of a natural tooth, but when using the correct materials and techniques this type of filling requires less natural tooth removal and maintains the integrity of your tooth. And, of course, composite fillings are mercury free. The key here is that the filling needs to be bonded with the correct material and technique.

Considering Tooth Crowns

Your tooth has a natural flexibility within itself. This integrity is dependent upon the different layers of the tooth. Cutting down a tooth for a crown removes two of these three integral layers. The result is a very pliable core of remaining tooth structure. Placing a very rigid porcelain or metal crown on top of the remaining tooth stump takes away the natural flexibility of the tooth. The results of normal chewing function on this non-biocompatible crowned tooth are marginal leakage and eventual failure of the tooth itself.

Worst of all, the very nature of the technique for shaping a tooth for a crown brings the drill so close to the nerve that the nerve can sustain enough trauma to require root canal treatment. Root canal treatment becomes necessary in about 30 percent of cases where teeth are drilled down for crowns.

While a dental crown certainly repairs the problem of a broken tooth by repairing the tooth and making the tooth look natural again, there are drawbacks to this procedure.

Minimizing the Need for Root Canals

Root canal therapy is typically necessary in two situations: when the nerve of the tooth becomes infected as a result of deep decay, nerve exposure, and nerve damage; and to provide an anchor space for a post that will help retain a crown in a badly broken down tooth. In the second case, the tooth may not have had a damaged or infected nerve and the root canal was only necessary to help hold the crown, which is an excessive use of root canal therapy.

While root canal therapy is a wonderful way to save a tooth that has an infection or nerve damage, treating a tooth with root canal therapy just to help the tooth hold a crown is not an ideal way to save a tooth.

Biomimetic Dentistry: An Alternative to Traditional Dental Therapy

Techniques such as cutting, drilling, and filling do not preserve a tooth’s structure to maintain the overall natural health of the tooth for a lifetime. Fillings, crowns, and root canals merely fill in or cover over the problem, while also having the potential to make the problem even worse over the long term if the natural tooth breaks or cracks. Biomimetic dentistry is designed to completely avoid all restorative dentistry complications by using the right materials and techniques the first time around to mimic your tooth’s structure. Biomimetic dentistry protects the natural tooth and completely locks out bacteria for safer, more durable dental work.

Traditional dental techniques have not taken advantage of the advanced ceramics, composites and adhesives developed by modern engineering. These new technologies are allowing dental practices to use small onlays comprised of specialized composite materials or ceramics that work like the tooth’s natural structure. This means fewer cracked teeth, fewer teeth cut down for crowns, and fewer root canals. Fewer major dental repairs mean teeth stay healthier and last longer.

Moorestown Dental Professionals: Experts in Biomimetic Dentistry

Dr. Ahmed Esmail and Dr. Donna Rush-Esmail are graduates of The Alleman Center for Biomimetic Dentistry and are proud to be one of the few dental practices in the nation to offer this science-based dentistry to their patients. There are only 195 biomimetic dentists in the United States, and Drs. Esmail and Rush-Esmail are the only two dentists qualified in biomimetics in New Jersey.

We provide the following biomimetic dental treatments:

• Tooth Veneers
• Tooth Sealants
• Tooth Onlays
• Mercury-Free Tooth-Colored Fillings

Dr. Rush-Esmail says:

“Dentists have different philosophies when it comes to care. We practice Biomimetic Dentistry (tooth-conserving) based on science and engineering principles. We believe the best dentistry is no dentistry, as nothing is as strong as your natural tooth. When dentistry is necessary, we believe in early diagnosis and treatment, to help maintain as much of the tooth’s natural integrity as possible. In doing so, it reduces or eliminates root canals or extractions long term.

In contrast, many dentists follow a more reactive approach. They may see a cracked tooth in a patient’s mouth and decide to ‘watch’ the tooth for future treatment, since the patient has no symptoms. When the tooth develops symptoms, they then treat it with more extensive treatments (root canals, crowns, implants). It is one of the biggest problems we see in dentistry today.”

Dental Onlays: The Conservative Way to Repair a Damaged Tooth

Dental Onlays Dentist in Moorestown NJ

Repair your damaged tooth with a long-lasting, durable, natural-looking dental onlays.

When your tooth isn’t damaged enough to warrant a crown, but it requires more attention than a filling, a dental onlay serves as a strong and reliable solution. Your tooth will function normally again, feel comfortable, and blend in with the rest of your smile.

The Advantages of Dental Onlays

Dental onlays are similar to a tooth filling, but they are the more conservative way to repair a damaged tooth. Far less invasive than a crown, an onlay is layered on a tooth to repair damage, decay, chips, cracks, gaps, or even dullness or discoloration.

BEFORE

AFTER

“This patient came in to see me for her fractured filling. Her dentist told her she needed a root canal and a crown. She read about our philosophy of conservative dental care and came in for a second opinion. Within two short visits, we were able to fix her tooth with an onlay. We spared her from a root canal and we were able to preserve more of her natural tooth in the process. The patient is thrilled with her new onlay. Best of all..it feels natural Thanks, Donna.” – Dr. Rush-Esmail

BEFORE

AFTER

“This patient’s tooth was severely fractured. We were able to conservatively restore her tooth with an onlay. By treating the case biomimetically, we not only saved her tooth, but we spared the patient from the time, pain, and expense of a root canal and crown. The patient was happy with the result – no pain!” – Dr. Rush-Esmail

BEFORE

AFTER

“Pat came in to our office with a fractured tooth. She thought she would have to have the tooth extracted or have a root canal and a crown done. She heard about biomimetic dentistry and came in to see me to see if I could help her. In two short visits, we were able to fix Pat’s fractured tooth and avoid a root canal and tooth loss. The patient is thrilled with the result!” – Dr Rush-Esmail

BEFORE

AFTER

“This patient had no symptoms. However, based on my experience with seeing the damage silver fillings cause, I was concerned about the multiple cracks I saw around the surface of this tooth. I found extensive cracks within the tooth which warranted the onlay treatment. The final result is functional, conservative and beautiful. I expect this tooth to last a very long time with no risk of needing root canal treatment.” – Dr. Rush-Esmail

A durable and reliable tooth restoration, a tooth onlay is sometimes referred to as a partial crown. The reason for this comparison makes sense: An onlay covers one or more cusps of the tooth in question, and sometimes even covers the entire biting surface of the tooth. This application differentiates the dental onlay from the dental inlay – inlays are similar to a filling because they are smaller and used in the center of a tooth.

In situations where an old dental filling needs to be replaced, dental onlays are often a great repair option. The onlay is fabricated from a tooth impression, tried on for fit and size, then bonded in place. For teeth that are suffering with a large cavity, or that have less tooth structure for the dentist to work with, an onlay is an ideal solution. The removal of tooth enamel is not necessary – the onlay does the exact opposite: It builds the tooth structure back up again so that invasive procedures are not necessary.

The natural appearance of a composite tooth onlay also makes it an attractive restorative dentistry option. A tooth sporting an onlay will not only look and feel like a natural tooth, it will function like a natural tooth. Onlays are also stain resistant, and that’s always a plus.

The Biomimetic Nature of a Dental Tooth Onlay

When a tooth is too damaged to support a tooth-colored filling but not quite damaged enough to need a porcelain crown, dental onlays are an ideal option. Each composite dental onlay is custom-made to suit the tooth in need and works to stabilize an already-shaky tooth structure while preventing the tooth from experiencing further deterioration or decay.

Your biomimetic dentist may recommend a composite tooth onlay to:

• Repair a damaged tooth and smile
• Recontour a tooth that is misshapen or has a jagged edge
• Save more of your natural tooth
• Reduce the need for root canal therapy
• Eliminate a dark metal rim around the gum line
• Feels more like a natural tooth than a crown

The Composite Tooth Onlay Procedure

The composite tooth onlay procedure usually takes only two visits with your Moorestown biomimetic dentist to complete.

The first appointment includes an examination of your mouth and a review of all restorative dentistry options. If it is determined that a composite tooth onlay is the best solution for your oral health problems, a tooth restoration plan will be made for complete tooth repair and treatment will begin. At this first visit, your Moorestown dentist will take an impression of your damaged tooth. From there, your tooth impression will be sent to the dental lab so that custom-made tooth restorations can be made.

The second dental onlay appointment will begin with placing the composite tooth onlay to ensure that it fits properly and matches your natural teeth in color. If all elements are correct, the onlay will be permanently fixed to your damaged tooth. Your biomimetic dentist will shape and smooth the onlay as needed and confirm that your bite is comfortable.

Comparing Restorative Dentistry Solutions

Crowns are an excellent restorative dentistry solution when appropriate. They are stable and durable and blend in naturally with the rest of your smile while thoroughly protecting your tooth. But crowns do require the removal of some tooth structure so that the crown will fit properly. Dental fillings also repair a cavity-laden tooth, but large dental fillings are known to weaken the remaining tooth structure, leading to breaks or cracks in the teeth.

When a restorative dentistry repair could lead to more problems in the future, a dental onlay may be the recommendation in order to protect the integrity of your tooth now and later. A composite tooth onlay is an ideal happy medium between a dental filling and a porcelain crown, durable and natural-looking. Onlays can last for decades if you take good care of your teeth and practice diligent preventive care.

Call us now at (856) 212-0975 for your free consultation or to schedule your dental appointment.