WHITE FILLINGS AND RESTORATIONS

Biomimetic Dentistry

We practice Biomimetic Dentistry, a conservative and minimally invasive type of dental care.

The Biomimetic philosophy recognises the value of natural, healthy tooth tissue and the longterm benefits of preserving as much of your intact tooth as possible. It relies on the early diagnosis of dental decay to reduce the amount of tooth removal required during dental treatment. Biomimetic Dentistry uses advanced adhesive techniques to rebuild decayed, cracked or broken down teeth with highly aesthetic and durable white fillings and restorations. Teeth, adhesively restored in the Biomimetic way, are able to handle functional stresses within the mouth better than teeth restored with traditional dental restorations.

Minimally Invasive Techniques

With Biomimetic Dentistry, when teeth need to be restored, tooth decay is removed and missing tooth structure is replaced with minimal removal of healthy tooth tissue. Due to developments of new materials and how we use them, less of the tooth actually needs to be removed to place and retain Biomimetic restorations.

Bioemulation

The aesthetic goal of Biomimetic Dentistry is to bio-emulate, to replicate what 'mother nature' made (i.e.'mimic the tooth in real life'). Biomimetic restorations are made from tooth-coloured materials to look and function as naturally as possible. They are bonded in place with 'high tech' adhesives, so your tooth and restoration are fused together. But this type of dentistry is not just about having 'white fillings'.

Mimicking Tooth Biomechanics

With the Biomimetic approach, teeth are restored using materials chosen specifically because they behave more like natural tooth structure behaves. The materials used are chosen for having bio-mechanical properties, closer to that of the natural tooth. Hence, Biomimetic restorations work more in synergy with your tooth during chewing function.

Furthermore, materials are placed in a way to reduce shrinkage stresses within the tooth during setting of the material. This can help reduce your risk of post treatment tooth sensitivity complications, and tooth break down.

As such, your tooth is stronger, and better supported; less likely to fracture and be lost.

Immediate Dentine Sealing

The 'high tech' adhesives used in the Biomimetic way also seal your tooth dentine, and thereby reduce ingress of bacteria into your tooth under your restoration. Your tooth's dentine is sealed before the placement of these restorations, to protect the nerve of your tooth.

Sealing your tooth's dentine could reduce your tooth's risk of needing root canal treatment over the life of the restoration.  Teeth with a healthy nerve are better hydrated and less likely to fracture than teeth having undergone root canal treatment. Hence, teeth are less likely to be lost over your life time.

Biomimetic Restorations differ from Traditional Dental Restorations

Biomimetic fillings and restorations help preserve your tooth structure. They seal, support and restore your tooth better than traditional metal dental restorations. These materials and techniques aim to help both tooth and restoration survive for longer. Biomimetic Dentistry can help you keep your teeth for longer, in a less expensive way.

The Benefits of Biomimetic Dentistry

Biomimetic dental restorations:

  • Are bonded to teeth in an advanced way and aim to copy nature.
  • Less aggressive tooth preparation is needed to place and retain Biomimetic filling materials. Hence, your tooth is stronger and more of the tooth remains for the future, when the restoration eventually needs replacement.
  • After the immediate sealing of your tooth's dentine, Biomimetic restorations are better able to protect your restored tooth from bacterial invasion compared to traditional dental fillings.
  • You may experience less post treatment sensitivity because of the way these restorations are placed.
  • Biomimetic dental materials mimic the functional properties of natural teeth more closely. Hence, they behave to support the structure and function of a restored tooth better than traditional metal dental filling materials.
  • Because Biomimetic restorations behave more like the natural tooth in chewing function, they help reduce stresses within the tooth and the tooth's risks of fracture.
  • In many instances, Biomimetic Dentistry may be more cost effective over the longer term.
  • When fillings last longer, the cycle of repeated tooth breakdown and then re-filling is reduced. Teeth last longer and are less likely to be lost. This is the Biomimetic way.
  • Protecting your restored teeth in this way could minimise your need for costly root canal treatments, dental crowns or tooth replacement options over your life time.

White Fillings And Porcelain Restorations

At Melbourne Dentistry, we follow the Biomimetic philosophy. We restore decayed, fractured and broken down adult teeth using the latest adhesive, ceramic and composite materials for our white fillings, veneers, inlays and onlay restorations. These new materials and techniques have elevated the level of patient care we are able to provide.

Tooth coloured, natural looking aesthetics are achieved with restorations which also better support your tooth during function. More aggressive and obvious looking amalgam fillings may now be avoided. Amalgam fillings don't seal or support the tooth as well and contribute to tooth cracks and bacterial leakage.

New white filling materials have better wear and stain resistance and improved strength. Our fillings are constructed carefully to reduce post treatment sensitivity issues.

We believe in creating ideal tooth contacts between your teeth to avoid food packing, to ensure flossing is readily achievable. Providing correct contacts against opposing teeth will also properly support your bite, to minimize teeth tipping and wearing unevenly over the long term.

All filling materials used at our practice are fully TGA approved.

White Fillings for Children

To restore children's teeth, we use only white fillings and have also introduced the very latest NuSmile® ZR (Zirconia) Paediatric porcelain crowns to restore severely compromised baby teeth in natural looking way.

When restorations are required, your child's baby teeth are restored, ideally, and only once. The restorations placed look naturally white and support your child's teeth structurally until they are scheduled to be lost. This means the use of metal coloured amalgam fillings and stainless steel crowns may be avoided.