… the study of the formation, structure, or function of biologically produced substances and materials (such as enzymes or silk) and biological mechanisms and processes (such as protein synthesis or photosynthesis) especially for the purpose of synthesising similar products by artificial mechanisms which mimic natural ones.
Over the last thirty years, deciphering truth from trash and verisimilitude from certitude has become an almost daily challenge. With the advent of the internet in the early 1990s, digital dissemination came to mean more than the simultaneous giving of the finger by the multitudes.
Digitus Impudicus has been a favoured on-hand, emotional indicator by many cultures for several thousand years. It first showed up in 423 BCE in the text of The Clouds, a comedy by Greek playwright Aristophanes (c.446-c.386 BCE). It turns up during an exchange between the philosopher Sokrates (sic) and “bumpkin and cretin” anti-hero Strepsiades, debt-ridden by his son Pheidippides:
Strepsiades: But what use are rhythms to me, compared to barley?
Sokrates: It’ll help make you modish on social occasions if you show exactly what kind of rhythm the ‘military beat’ or the ‘bending finger’ is.
Strepsiades: The bending finger? By Zeus, that’s easy.
Sokrates: Well tell me.
Strepsiades: What else but making a naughty gesture like this? When I was a boy, all those years ago, we loved it!
Sokrates: How crude and vulgar!
Strepsiades: You seem to be missing the point. It’s not rhythms I want to learn…
It’s a great play. Take the time to read it. If nothing else, it’ll give you a brilliant choice of names for kites and cats.
English anthropologist and popular sociobiology author Desmond Morris ascertained in The Naked Ape (1967) its phallic symbolism; curled fingers either side complete the graphic non-verbal message.
It’s versatile. It’s an opener or a closer, confrontational or recreational, and shared by friend and foe alike. It can be given overtly or surreptitiously; and reliant on delivery, its meaning is always clear.
Not so much for the digital world of media platforms, the predominant place for … pretty much everything. Including misinformation, fake news and out-and-out lies.
We’ve gone from “don’t believe everything you read on the internet” to almost instantly believing everything we see. It didn’t happen overnight, but it did happen: and we continue to hugely dilute the ability for critical thinking, along with the art of conversation, and the mastery of coherent, respectful debate.
All the ways people pretty much sorted the wheat from the chaff in what seems such a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.
Is that where biomimetic dentistry is?
To some – maybe.
The second, is to secure a long-term marginal seal – that interface between the filling or the crown, and what remains of the tooth. As it prevents leakage and further decay, it’s crucial for a lasting result. The assertion is that biomimetic treatments will typically last longer than those of traditional dentistry.
In order for a tooth to stay alive and resistant, preserving and increasing pulp vitality is another biomimetic standard; as it is for any skilled dentist.
The difference here, may be that root canals are a last resort. Only the decayed and damaged parts of the tooth structure are removed. The rebuild of what remains is not the placement of a crown, but a layer-by-layer restoration. Conventional root canal therapy entails dental pulp removal, with a number of factors – including the skill of the clinician and underlying health conditions – affecting its longevity. Statistically, however, 86% will last more than 10 years before further treatment is necessary. Biomimetic techniques contend that with proper care, the therapy can last a lifetime.
To avoid debonding, decay, cuspal deformation, gaps, cracks and painful sensitivity, the fourth criterion of a biomimetic practitioner is decreasing residual stress. In raw terms, this constitutes the incremental building of thin coatings of composite in varying thicknesses from 1-3mm. Undoubtedly, there’s more to it than that; but when you lay it on this layman, it appears to be about experienced and competent layering.
Compared to bulk filling, this process increases bond strength by between 100-300%. This polymerisation transfers to the residual tooth, with the result that restoration places less force on the dentin bond.
Overall, biomimetic dentistry is biologic, using plant-based resins and composite materials in preference to porcelain and metal. Its focus is biomimicry – meaning that your tooth’s natural structure, shape and colour is preserved and matched. Techniques are minimally invasive, with key principles being no needle, no drill, no fear. Air abrasion which is essentially painless, directs a thin stream of air and powder to remove only the area of decay. Without the need for either anaesthetic or drilling, treating cavities also takes less time.
Ostensibly, biomimetic dentistry is easier on children and anyone who has difficulty being in the dentist’s chair. However, a good traditional clinician can deal with kids and anxious patients as well.
Some conventional dentists view biomimetic practices as little more than a fancy name for the basic concepts of preserving tooth structure, and proper bonding and isolation protocols. Others consider it a motivator for new dentists to take time with adhesives and composites, and deliver the gold standard of care that the profession aims for.
Maybe it can be likened to the ongoing debate between organic and non-organic food: both serve good purpose, and it comes down to a matter of personal beliefs and individual choice.
Maintaining good oral health is a priority for wellbeing. Choose whether biomimetic, or traditional dentistry suits you best. Do some research. Be skeptical. Be open. Just be intent on taking responsibility for having a smile to be proud of, and a dentist with the manner and communication skills that have you happy to see them every six months.
Now there’s something you can put your finger on. That way, you won’t have to give it.
