Nowadays, when you ask your dentist what the best option for replacing your missing teeth is, they’re likely to say that it’s dental implants. But of course, this treatment didn’t become the gold standard for re-completing smiles overnight. Dental implants had to evolve quite a bit to reach the point they’re at now. Below, you can learn more about the history of dental implants and how they’ve changed over time.
The Earliest Dental Implants
There are actually examples of dental implants scattered throughout history. For example, about 4,000 years ago, people in China replaced their missing teeth with bamboo pegs. Roughly 2,000 years after that, Egyptians did the same thing with pegs made out of precious metals.
However, these early dental implants cannot be said to have been successful by modern standards. This is because they were not made out of materials that could properly integrate with the jaw, causing them to be rejected by the body.
The Road to Modern Dental Implants
Between 1500 and 1800, many scientists in Europe attempted to create dental implants out of a wide variety of materials, such as gold, silver, and porcelain. Unfortunately, none of these attempts yielded the desired results. It wouldn’t be until the midpoint of the 20th century that real progress would be made toward dental implants as we know them today.
In 1952, Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark was conducting an experiment that involved inserting a piece of titanium into the femur of a rabbit. The titanium ended up bonding with the bone and could not be taken out. This was the discovery of osseointegration – a key factor in the success of modern dental implants.
Dr. Branemark saw the implications of the discovery and eventually went on to place the first titanium dental implant in 1965, which ended up being a success. In 1982, Dr. Branemark’s research gained acceptance, and over time more dentists started offering dental implants as a tooth replacement solution.
Further Advancements in Dental Implants
At first, titanium dental implants were smooth. However, dentists eventually discovered that roughened posts were actually better for osseointegration due to having more surface area for the bone to join with.
Additionally, modern dental technology has improved the process of placing dental implants. Dentists can use state-of-the-art cone beam scanners to capture a detailed model of the mouth and jaw that highlights nerves and other important structures. This makes it easier to plan dental implant placement and ensure that the posts are inserted exactly where they need to go.
Dental implants have come a long way; it’s little wonder why they have become so popular among dentists and patients alike. If you’re interested in filling the gaps in your grin with dental implants, now is a great time to call your dentist and schedule a consultation!
About the Author
Dr. Rashpal Deol strives to bring his patients high-quality comprehensive care, and to that end, he has completed training in all dental specialties. He’s proud to offer start-to-finish dental implant treatments for individuals who are missing one tooth, multiple teeth, or an entire arch. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Deol at Oak Ridge Dental in San Ramon, visit his website or call (925) 735-6190.
