Biomimetic Dentistry

biomimetic dentistryMimicking Nature With Biomimetic Dentistry

Sometimes, preparing a tooth for restoration can mean sculpting away a considerable amount of healthy tooth structure. At Woodland Hills Dental Arts, Doctors Naminik, Hirsch, and Koshki are firm believers in preserving natural teeth through biomimetic dentistry. Conservative materials, like tooth-colored composite resin and biocompatible ceramic, help rebuild a tooth’s strength, protect it from further damage, and seal the tooth’s structures against infection in the future.

FAQs About Biomimetic Dentistry

How is biomimetic dentistry different from traditional techniques?

Tooth preservation is the main focus of biomimetic dentistry. Besides restoring your tooth’s strength, our goal is to minimize the chances of your dental work failing, and maximize the ability to retreat the tooth if it does.

For instance, instead of a dental crown that caps your entire tooth, a biomimetic solution would only address the tooth structure that is damaged or infected. Also, in lieu of metal fillings, we prefer tooth-colored resin or ceramic that creates a strong bond within the tooth to reestablish its strength and functionality. Since biomimetic literally means to mimic life/nature, your restoration will also blend in seamlessly with your smile.

How can placing dental work potentially damage a tooth?

For a comfortable fit, tooth fillings and dental crowns require that your tooth/teeth be modified to make room for the restoration. In the case of metal fillings, the material may eventually damage the tooth as it changes shape over time. Because your tooth structure cannot grow back, traditional options can leave a tooth structurally weak and at a greater risk of future damage or tooth decay.

By contrast, resin/ceramic fillings and ceramic inlays and onlays allow dentists to repair teeth while conserving most or all of the natural tooth structure that remains.

What are inlays and onlays?

Also known as partial dental crowns, inlays and onlays are conservative restorations designed to fit within a limited area of a tooth. An inlay rests between the cusps of a tooth’s chewing surface. An onlay covers the same area, but may extend beyond the cusps and over one or more sides of the tooth.

Inlays and onlays are most beneficial for teeth that exhibit too much decay or damage for a tooth filling, but not enough to warrant a complete dental crown. If the restoration fails in the future, you should retain enough tooth structure for your dentist to effectively repair it again.

Visit Us in Woodland Hills, CA

Dr. Arjang Naminik, Dr. Ken Hirsch, and Dr. Moeiz Koshki combine a wide range of expertise to provide all of our patients with comprehensive dental health care in a warm, welcoming, and comfortable environment. To take advantage of our services, schedule a consultation by calling Woodland Hills Dental Arts in Woodland Hills, CA, today at (818) 347-5124. We also proudly welcome patients from Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Encino, Sherman Oaks, and all surrounding communities.