Biomimetic Dentistry | Lesson 1: Tooth Anatomy & the Biomimetic Approach

Lesson 1 of dr Matt Nejad's Biomimetic Dental Course for patients covers the foundation of biomimetic dentistry, including the natural tooth structure, form, and function. The natural tooth has remarkable biomechanics and strength and therefore, these are the most ideal properties to replicate when restoring teeth.

LESSON 1: TOOTH ANATOMY

The natural tooth has 4 main layers/areas: Enamel, DEJ, Dentin, and Pulp Enamel is the hardest substance in our body and makes up the hardest, strongest outer shell of our teeth. However, it is very brittle, which means that it would not be soo successful if it didn't have a strong, flexible foundation.

DENTIN

Dentin is about as hard as bone, but it is more flexible than Enamel and gives the Enamel layer some flexibility to address the problem of brittleness.

ENAMEL + DENTIN TOGETHER

The combo of enamel and dentin together results in the perfect combination of properties for teeth, however, this is only because of the extremely strong connection which unites these two layers to make them functionally into a single structure. This strong connection is due to the DEJ. DEJ ("Dentin Enamel Junction") Nature provides this extremely strong connection between enamel and dentin through the layer known as the DEJ ("dentin enamel junction"). This is nature's super glue and it is really remarkable how this strong connection makes the two separate layers (enamel & dentin), functionally behave as a single unit with properties that are the result of this combination.

PULP

The deepest portion of the tooth, known as the pulp, is a soft tissue region that consists of the nervous system, blood vessels, and lymphatic system. The pulp mainly supplies the circulation, and sensation to the teeth, and provides the vitality to the tooth. When a crack, fracture, or cavity extends too deep, this pulp can become irreversibly affected and never recover, leading to root canal treatment. Avoiding this from happening is one of the most important criteria of the biomimetic approach.

THE BIOMIMETIC APPROACH

In the Biomimetic approach, the following are priorities of all restorative treatment: 1) Conserve healthy intact tooth structure 2) Preserve the pulp vitality and avoid root canals. 3) Replicate or mimic the structure and function of natural teeth 4) Restore teeth with an adhesive approach that mimics the strength and function of the DEJ. All this can readily and easily be achieved with the right training and experience.