Biomimetic Dentistry

Biomimetic restorative dentistry (BRD) utilizes minimally invasive adhesive techniques to help conserve and strengthen damaged tooth structure.  The goal of BRD is to restore teeth in a way that mimics their natural properties and creates a secure bond.  Unlike traditional dentistry, BRD is very conservative and relies on adhesion, leading to decreased sensitivity and minimizing the need for root canals.  A Biomimetic restoration blends in and looks like a natural tooth, but the best part of the restoration is under the surface.

In April 2021, Dr. Pete Butkus completed a year-long Mastership program with the Alleman Center of Biomimetic Dentistry.  His biomimetic techniques include utilizing high magnification, caries (cavity) detection dye, rubber dam isolation, and dental photography, along with a PhD level understanding of dental adhesion.  This allows for only the decayed or cracked portion of the tooth to be removed while preserving healthy tooth structure. Unlike traditional dentistry that relies on “retention form” – or aggressive tooth preparation, biomimetic dentistry is defect driven and relies on adhesion to restore only the damaged portion of a tooth.  This results in a better long term prognosis for teeth treated this way.

While traditional dentistry is still mainly taught in dental schools around the world, biomimetic dentistry is cutting edge and researched based.  BRD does take more time and is more intensive for the clinician, but Dr. Butkus says it is how he would want to be treated as a patient.  Since a biomimetic “crown” involves cutting away less tooth structure and establishes a secure bond to the defect, the tooth is more protected from bacteria, sensitivity, and the need for a root canal.  These techniques allow restored teeth to behave like natural teeth, allowing the entire tooth to function like it should.