Modern dentistry is shifting toward a new “Biomimetic” approach (bio = life, mimetic = mimicking) in the repair process, allowing cosmetic dentists to create tooth-colored restorations that appear more natural than ever before. Thanks to recent technological advancements, these new techniques are not only safe and reliable, but also the results are comparable to biological teeth—both in shape and function. Involves materials that are metal free, such as composite resins and porcelains. In the past, restorative dentistry relied on unnatural looking gold alloys or other metal fillings, materials that proved to be susceptible to fractures and dental decay. Although sturdy, metal restoration techniques are largely deemed unsafe by today’s standards because they fail to wear the same as ordinary teeth do. Today, modern restorative dentistry focuses on using materials that imitate the properties of natural tooth composition for a genuine look without the risks associated with alloy or metal techniques. Cosmetic standards now produce results that can withstand the normal pressure of chewing or biting just like biological teeth do— and some techniques even contain fluoride, a material that reduces dental decay.

The Goal of Restorative Dentistry

When rebuilding or restoring damaged teeth, the goal for a cosmetic dentist is to fully recreate the shape and function of teeth. In general, modern dentistry is more about mimicking the behavior of teeth by using materials that are natural to the body rather than foreign. Manipulating the tooth’s structure with unnatural elements has proven to be both costly and ineffective. For example, prior restoration techniques using amalgam (silver fillings) required dentists to remove or “undercut” portions of the tooth to hold the unique-shaped filling in place. The drawback of this method is that it forces dentists to remove healthy portions of the tooth’s structure. If undercut too much, a tooth may weaken, causing fractures or cracks while the tooth’s structure deteriorates from biting or chewing.