You’re not alone if you’ve had oral health problems. Around 80% of people have at least one cavity by the time they turn 34. Treating your dental issues right away is the best way to avoid long-term problems.
Many dentists use biomimetic dentistry procedures when treating their patients. These methods use natural and biocompatible methods to treat dental cavities and tooth decay. This is a great option for those who want to save and maintain their natural tooth.
This blog will discuss the basics of biomimetic dentistry and what benefits patients can experience with these procedures. We’ll also talk about how Pinnacle Dentistry uses biomimetic dental treatments to improve the oral health of its patients.
What Is Biomimetic Dentistry?
Biomimetic dentistry is focused on preserving the structure and foundation of your natural teeth. The goal of these procedures is to preserve your tooth structure’s health. Biomimetic dentists strive to restore your natural teeth instead of replacing them.
Over time, traditional fillings can deteriorate and weaken. This causes bacteria to penetrate your tooth and damage its pulp.
Biomimetic dentistry takes a different approach. It utilizes biocompatible bonding techniques and materials to seal the tooth. Bacteria cannot get into the tooth or its pulp, preventing the risk of infection.
Key Differences Between Traditional and Biomimetic Dentistry
Biomimetic dentistry procedures are less invasive than traditional ones. Many patients fear going to the dentist because they believe their teeth will have to be drilled. This causes them much anxiety as they anticipate the pain they’re experiencing during their treatment.
One of the main differences between the two types of dentistry is that biomimetic procedures don’t involve drilling. Your dentist will incorporate different methods to treat decay and sanitize your teeth.
Traditional dentistry often involves tooth removal. The materials used in restorative procedures are typically harder than teeth’ natural enamel, which can result in damaged and cracked teeth.
The Benefits of Biomimetic Dentistry
Biomimetic dentistry has evolved over the decades since its invention in 1955. Patients can experience numerous advantages when having biomimetic dental procedures performed.
Decreased Risk
The techniques and materials used in biomimetic dentistry procedures don’t cause as much damage as other methods. This includes basic dental procedures, such as:
- Crowns
- Cavities
- Repairing damage caused by crowns
- Fixing damaged tooth enamel
These procedures reduce the need for dentists to file off healthy dentin and enamel. Instead, they focus on getting rid of the diseased pieces of your teeth. This approach reduces the likelihood of long-term dental issues.’
Cost-Effective
Biomimetic dentistry is often more affordable for patients than traditional procedures. A preventative approach to restoring teeth saves patients money in the long term. You also won’t have to worry about going back to the dentist for them to fix their work or to deal with other problems.
Preserving Natural Teeth
Biomimetic dental procedures are focused on natural tooth restoration. Dentists use advanced dental techniques to rebuild your tooth instead of getting rid of it. This method helps you in the following ways:
- Preventing damage
- Strengthening your teeth
- Imitating your tooth’s original state
Improved Patient Experience
These non-toxic and minimally invasive dentistry procedures reduce the pain and anxiety patients experience. Patients won’t need as much anesthesia or any at all when these treatments are performed. They’ll experience faster treatment and recovery times.
Materials Used in Biomimetic Dentistry
As we mentioned, dentists use non-toxic materials in biomimetic dentistry treatments. These materials are designed to resemble the feel and look of your natural teeth.
Glass Ionomer Cement
Glass ionomer cement is just as hard as natural dentin. This substance also sticks very easily to your natural teeth. Patients don’t have to worry about their fillings falling out and needing to return to the dental office to fix the problem.
Alumina
Alumina is a very strong ceramic that’s used in biomimetic dentistry procedures. Another term for it is aluminum oxide. One benefit of this material is that it can fuse with your natural tissue and is biocompatible.
Calcium Phosphate Hydroxyapatite
Calcium phosphate hydroxyapatite is used to create onlays, inlays, or crowns. One of the substances in your natural teeth is hydroxyapatite. This material is a great option for replacing decayed or decaying enamel.
The Biomimetic Dentistry Process at Pinnacle Dentistry
Our dental office remains committed to delivering high-quality care to our patients. We love meeting new patients and discussing ways they can benefit from biomimetic dentistry procedures.
Initial Consultation
We invite you to request an appointment on our website or by calling our office. A few of the things you can expect from your first consultation include:
- X-rays
- Overview of dental and physical health
- Discussion of your health goals and needs
Treatment Planning
Our staff will discuss your options with you based on your oral health situation. We typically recommend biomimetic procedures if we believe they are the best option.
Procedure Execution
We’ll schedule your dental procedure at a convenient time. Our team will then explain in detail what to expect from the procedure and any after-care instructions.
Follow-up Care
The follow-up care instructions you’ll need to follow depend on the type of procedure you have performed. One benefit of biomimetic dental treatments is that the recovery period is much shorter than traditional methods.
Biomimetic Procedures Offered at Pinnacle Dentistry
Pinnacle Dentistry offers our patients several biomimetic procedures. During your initial consultation, we’ll discuss your treatment options and let you know if we believe this is an option for you.
Common biomimetic procedures we offer in our office include:
- Cavity treatments
- Inlays and Onlays
- Partial coverage crowns
- Crack prevention and treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
At Pinnacle Dentistry, we understand that it can be overwhelming to decide which dental procedure to choose. Let’s discuss some of the most common questions we encounter about biomimetic dentistry.
Are Biomimetic Dentistry Appointments Longer?
Many biomimetic dentistry procedures can be performed in one appointment, while some traditional treatments require multiple sessions. However, due to the reconstruction’s delicate nature, the one visit for a biomimetic procedure may be more intense.
Is Biomimetic Dentistry Expensive?
Biomimetic dentistry procedures are less expensive when considering the long-term benefits. Many traditional dental methods fail and compromise teeth, requiring costly tooth replacement or repair procedures.
It’s easy for dentists to repair biomimetic restorations if they fail. These procedures are designed so the restoration fails, not the actual tooth.
Why Is Biomimetic Dentistry Important?
Biomimetic dentistry is considered a tooth-conservative approach to restoring teeth. It’s focused on the correct sealing or bonding of teeth in a way that mimics nature. During these treatments, more of your natural tooth gets preserved.
Conserving teeth is important because teeth can’t regenerate or fix themselves. You want to conserve as much of your natural teeth as possible. Biomimetic dentistry procedures help you achieve this.
Can All Dentists Provide Biomimetic Dentistry Procedures?
Performing biomimetic dentistry procedures requires continued education and extensive training. Not all dentists have completed the required training, which is time-intensive and specialized.
Our dentists have invested in themselves and their patients in biomimetic dentistry. Dr. Brad Perrett is one of our dentists who has received the required training.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Biomimetic Dental Procedures?
Biomimetic dental procedures get billed to insurance companies like traditional ones. That’s because dental insurance offices don’t have specific codes for these types of procedures. Our office will submit your claims based on the materials used during the restoration.
Why Should I Pick Biomimetic Dentistry Procedures?
At Pinnacle Dentistry, we believe that biomimetic dental treatments are one of the best choices you can make for your smile. One of the best ways to treat a problem is to repair and copy your tooth naturally.
Biomimetic dentistry benefits your teeth in the following ways:
- Rebuilding your teeth one layer at a time
- Removing only the affected areas
- Providing strong and correct techniques
- Achieving a natural result
- Sealing against future infections
We aim to provide you with as much information as you desire to make better-informed decisions. Don’t hesitate to ask us questions or request additional information while deciding what type of treatment is best for you.
Schedule a Consultation to Restore Your Smile at Pinnacle Dentistry
While you may have never heard of biomimetic dentistry before, we hope you understand its benefits over traditional dentistry. By choosing these treatment options over others, you can restore your teeth instead of replacing them. It’s important to partner with an experienced dentist in the Colorado Springs area to guarantee the best results possible.
At Pinnacle Dentistry, we strive to provide our patients with exceptional experiences and superior results. Many patients return to our dental office for care due to our advanced perspective on dental treatments. Contact our office to schedule an appointment to discuss our tooth conservation methods.
