As you know them today, dental implants use biocompatible materials like titanium or zirconia to fuse with your jawbone, providing maximum stability and strength. But surely they weren’t always like that, right? Or did experts get lucky and just happen to create the perfect restoration on their first try?
That would be impressive, but no – dental implants have advanced quite a bit over the years! If you’re curious about how they got their start, keep reading.
The Very First Dental Implants
Believe it or not, the very first dental implants can be traced all the way back to 4,000 years ago, when the Chinese placed bamboo pegs into the gumline. The ancient Mayans are known to have used seashells as implants, but like the bamboo pegs, they would eventually be rejected by the body. About 2,000 years after the Chinese attempt, Egyptians upgraded slightly to precious metals and jewels. Although very aesthetic, these shiny dental replacements ultimately didn’t offer much functionality.
The Dental Implants You Know
The creation of modern dental implants is credited to Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark. In 1952, he was experimenting with a rabbit femur and happened to leave a titanium device on the bone. When Dr. Branemark later inspected the femur, he found that the bone matter and titanium were completely fused together!
Today, the process where organic bone can fuse with biocompatible materials is known as “osseointegration.” It enabled Dr. Branemark to place the first successful dental implant in 1965, and also became a crucial principle for other medical replacements.
Always Improving
Since Dr. Branemark’s first dental implant, the restoration has continued to improve and benefit from newer technologies. CT/cone beam scanners allow implant specialists to plan treatments with incredible precision, for example, and now dental implants can be combined with bridges or dentures to provide superior reinforcement. If you’re interested in getting dental implants, this is certainly a good year to do so!
About the Practice
At Sound Dentistry, our board-certified prosthodontist, top-notch periodontist, and skilled dentist can help you restore your smile. As a team of experts, they’re highly proficient in dental implant treatments. If you’d like to learn more about this breakthrough tooth replacement option or schedule a consultation, we’ll take good care of you and take meticulous steps to ensure you’re happy with your pearly whites! To contact our office, call 508-996-6777.