Shaving teeth down and covering them with porcelain has been the standard for traditional crowns for decades. However, there's a more modern, tooth-preserving option that many patients haven't yet heard of: biomimetic dentistry.
Instead of removing most of the tooth, biomimetic treatment focuses on keeping as much of it intact as possible. It uses materials and techniques that act just like real tooth structure, helping the restoration move and respond more like the original tooth.
This shift in thinking changes how we approach repairs, especially for teeth that aren't completely broken down. Here's how biomimetic restorations compare to traditional crowns and why many dentists and patients are leaning toward the more conservative option.
Biomimetic dentistry focuses on restoring damaged teeth in a way that mimics natural structure. The goal is to rebuild the tooth so it looks, feels, and functions like it originally did. This method removes only the damaged or decayed portion instead of cutting away healthy enamel and dentin to make room for a crown. Then, layers of adhesive materials are bonded to the tooth, recreating its shape and strength from the inside out.
It's often used for teeth that have cracks, deep cavities, or large fillings that need to be replaced, especially when there's still enough healthy structure to work with.
Traditional crowns are full-coverage caps that go over the entire visible portion of a tooth. To make them fit, a dentist must reduce the tooth (sometimes by more than half) to create enough space for the new restoration.
Crowns are strong and widely used. They're often recommended after a root canal or for teeth that are badly damaged and can't be supported any other way. They can last for many years, and when done well, they look great.
That said, once a tooth is prepped for a crown, it's permanently altered. And if that tooth later cracks or fails, it may need a root canal or even be extracted.
There are situations where a crown is still the right call, especially if the tooth is already heavily damaged or has had a root canal. In such cases, full coverage may be the best way to protect what remains.
But for teeth that are still mostly healthy, just weakened or showing signs of wear, a full crown may be more aggressive than necessary. Biomimetic restorations can provide protection while avoiding the added trauma of removing more tooth structure.
They're especially useful for:
People who've had biomimetic work done often comment on how natural the tooth feels afterward. Sensitivity is less common, the tooth remains strong, and they're less likely to return later for complications.
Because the bond between the restoration and tooth is so tight, there's also less chance for bacteria to seep in, reducing the risk of future cavities under the filling or crown.
Another upside: repairs can often be made to the existing work without replacing the entire thing. That's not always the case with traditional crowns.
Both traditional crowns and biomimetic restorations have their place in dentistry. The key difference lies in how much of your natural tooth is removed, and how the restoration interacts with the remaining structure.
For many people, keeping their natural teeth intact for as long as possible is a priority. Biomimetic dentistry makes that possible in more cases than ever before.
If you've been told you need a crown (or you're dealing with a cracked or heavily filled tooth), it's worth asking if there's a more conservative option that still gives you the protection and comfort you need.
