For as long as humans have had teeth, we’ve been finding ways to replace them if they go missing. Over the centuries, people have experimented with various methods of filling the gaps in their smiles. These days, though, dental implants are by far the best option. While this form of tooth replacement is often considered a recent development, it has actually been around for longer than you might have thought. Continue reading to discover how dental implants have evolved into the reliable, long-lasting replacement teeth they are today.
The Earliest Dental Implants
Often considered the very first dental implants, people in China around 4,000 years ago used to place tiny bamboo pegs into their jaws to replace lost teeth. Evidence also suggests that about 2,000 years ago, Egyptians crafted artificial teeth from precious metals.
However, the most successful early civilization to use dental implants was probably the Mayans around the year 600 A.D. Mayans skulls have been discovered with shells that have fused to the jawbone. This fusion is a key feature of modern implants.
The Creation of the Modern Field of Dentistry in the 1800s
There wasn’t much progress on dental implants until the 1800s, when dentistry was recognized as its own field. Dentists attempted to anchor replacement teeth into the jawbone using various materials like silver, gold, and platinum. These rarely succeeded since they weren’t biocompatible. Makeshift implants could be made from teeth taken from human cadavers; they could merge with the jawbone, but they tended to have a fairly short lifespan.
The Discovery of the Perfect Dental Implant Material
In the 1950s, a Swedish orthopedic surgeon named Dr. Per-Ingvar Brånemark was studying bone degeneration in rabbits. His research involves placing a titanium device in the rabbit’s leg. He later discovered that the biocompatible titanium had joined with the bone in a process he dubbed “osseointegration.” He realized that this revelation could change the world of dentistry, and he placed the first titanium dental implants in 1965, which lasted until the end of the patient’s life four decades later.
The Dental Implants of Today
Titanium has become the standard for making dental implants that provide a reliable foundation for replacement teeth. Over the years, the technology has only improved, allowing you to enjoy new teeth that look, feel, and function almost exactly like your old ones.
If you’re ready to experience the marvel of modern dental implants, then schedule a consultation with your dentist. There’s no time like the present to enjoy the most innovative solution that dentistry has to offer!
About the Author
Dr. Joe Ornelas is a family dentist who works with a network of skilled experts to deliver high-quality dental implants in Crown Point, IN. He earned his doctorate from the Indiana University School of Dentistry and takes countless hours of post-graduate training to stay on top of the latest advancements in the dental field. If you have any questions about how dental implants can transform your life, he would love for you to reach out via his website or at (219) 663-2892.