Practice Philosophy Parker, CO

Core Philosophies

Biomimetic Dentistry emphasizes preserving and mimicking the various properties of natural teeth. The preparation and restorative techniques preserve natural tooth structure and pulp vitality. Restorative materials replicate the function of natural enamel, dentin, and DEJ and the restored tooth is biomechanically and esthetically similar to natural teeth.

• Biomechanics
• Biology
• Function
• Esthetics

 

Biomimetic Approach

• Preserve Intact Tooth Structure
• Maximize Adhesion
• Minimize Residual Stress
• Restore Structural Integrity
• Replicate Natural Biomechanics
• Caries Removal Endpoints
• Preparation Design
• Restorative Materials which are Biomimetic

 

Traditional Dentistry vs. Biomimetic Dentistry

Traditional dental procedures are designed around the restorative material, not the tooth. Preparation features like retention form, resistance form, and aggressive tooth reduction prioritize the strength requirements of the restoration over preserving healthy structure. The result: restored teeth carry a higher risk of pain, sensitivity, root canals, recession, and fracture. Common examples include full-coverage crowns (zirconia, PFM, gold) and metallic restorations like amalgam and glass ionomer fillings.

Biomimetic dentistry takes the opposite approach. It combines an understanding of natural tooth biomechanics with advanced adhesive techniques to preserve as much healthy tooth structure as possible. Restorative materials are selected to replicate the properties of natural enamel and dentin, and adhesion replaces the need for aggressive preparation. The result is a restoration that mimics the strength, function, and esthetics of the original tooth. Biomimetic restorations include composite fillings, partial-coverage restorations, and when necessary, full-coverage ceramic restorations. That said, application technique and material selection make a significant difference in outcomes, which is why a thorough understanding of the science matters.

Biomimetic concepts are supported by a strong foundation of scientific evidence and growing clinical adoption. Dr. Ahmed trained under Dr. Pascal Magne, widely recognized as the father of biomimetic dentistry, and continues to work closely with him to further develop her techniques and clinical approach.

 

FAQs

What is Biomimetic Dentistry?

Translated literally, Bio-mimetic dentistry means “imitate life (Bio=”life, mimetic=”imitate”). Biomimetic dentistry is a paradigm and not a specific material or a technique. The natural tooth is the perfect structure as a result of its various properties including biology, function, esthetics, and biomechanics. In the Biomimetic approach, optimal restorative materials and techniques “mimic” these properties of natural teeth and strive to preserve pulp vitality by conserving maximum intact tooth structure.

Who invented Biomimetic Dentistry?

The principles of biomimetic dentistry were developed by researchers at prestigious universities in Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Italy, Turkey, The United States, and many other countries. Groundbreaking work by many top researchers in adhesive dentistry and restorative dentistry has contributed to the concepts and techniques which make up biomimetic dentistry. Officially, the first mention of “biomimetics” in the field dentistry is credited to Pascal Magne who really innovated the biomimetic dentistry concept and the biomimetic approach to restorative dentistry. Pascal authored the first textbook explaining the concepts of Biomimetic Dentistry (“Bonded Porcelain Restorations in the Anterior Dentition. A Biomimetic Approach.”) and he is regarded as the father of biomimetic dentistry. Dr. Ahmed was trained by Pascal Magne and continues to work closely with Pascal Magne advancing her concepts and techniques in biomimetic dentistry.

What are the advantages to Biomimetic Dentistry?

There are countless advantages obtained through biomimetic dentistry including:

• • preserve tooth structure with minimally invasive treatment approaches
  • minimize excessive preparation of teeth for crowns
  • minimize root canal treatments
  • prevent catastrophic failures
  • eliminate post-op pain and sensitivity
  • restore badly damaged teeth, otherwise considered un-restorable

What is wrong with traditional dentistry?

Traditional dental techniques rely on mechanical retention. As a result, more tooth preparation is required and the resulting structure does not function like a natural tooth. Stress concentration patterns, mechanical properties, and function of the mechanically restored tooth is nothing like the natural tooth. As a result, margins are not adequately sealed, cracks develop from harmful stress patterns, and the teeth experience a significantly higher chance of pain, sensitivity, bacterial invasion, and loss of pulp vitality.

Do Biomimetic procedures take longer?

Not always, but typically yes. Treatment time varies from one operator to another, however the best treatment typically takes more time. Biomimetic restorations require good isolation, as well as careful caries removal concepts, and special adhesive application techniques which all can increase the treatment time. However, biomimetic restorations typically last far longer than traditional restorations and experience less complications and symptoms.

Is Biomimetic dentistry the same as Adhesive dentistry?

Not exactly, however adhesive dentistry is fundamental to biomimetic dentistry. Biomimetic dentistry requires materials which have properties similar to enamel, dentin, and DEJ in conjunction with the absolute maximum adhesion and bond strength. In the natural tooth, enamel and dentin have an extremely high bond strength and this needs to be re-created for a restored tooth to function like a natural tooth. Simplified adhesive techniques and inferior materials fail to adequately restore the tooth to the standard necessary to be considered biomimetic. Only the best and strongest adhesion is able to make a tooth behave biomimetically.

Is biomimetic dentistry the same as holistic, biological or natural dentistry?

Biomimetic Dentistry is natural, holistic, and biologically favorable. The emphasis for biomimetic dentistry is on scientifically proven materials and techniques. Adhesion Science and Biomimetic Dentistry both have an extremely robust scientific foundation. Materials and techniques are based on scientific evidence that they perform most similar to the natural tooth, and maximize the longevity and vitality of natural teeth. When a Biomimetically restored tooth is functionally and biomechanically similar to the natural tooth, complications are minimized and more invasive treatments such as root canals and implants can be avoided.

Adhesively retained restorations allow maximum preservation of intact tooth structure and frequently allow teeth to be restored without root canal treatment. Preserving pulp-vitality of the tooth is the most biologically profound treatment objective possible, resulting in the best long term success and the most natural biomechanics and function.

How does Biomimetic Dentistry avoid root canals?

Traditional restorative techniques require tooth preparation to allow for retention and strength of the final restoration. Additionally, caries removal endpoints are subjective and oftentimes excessively aggressive. This combination results in a high incidence of root canals for restored teeth, either immediately or over the life of the traditionally restored tooth.In contrast, the biomimetic approach has scientifically proven caries removal endpoints and preparation design principles that maximize preservation of the remaining tooth structure and avoiding pulp-exposures. Preserving more tooth structure, and avoiding pulp-exposures significantly decreases the necessity for root canals. Even with deep-caries, the chance of preserving pulp-vitality is high if: 1) the tooth is currently vital 2) a pulp-exposure is avoided and 3) the final restoration has a strong bond/seal.

Does Biomimetic Dentistry Cost More?

Biomimetic Dentistry is synonymous with high-quality dentistry. High-quality dentistry usually costs more, but sometimes even high priced dentistry does not equate to high-quality. The major reason Biomimetic Dentistry would cost more is due to the increased treatment time it takes to restore a tooth optimally.