When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental implants are still the reigning champion. They offer unmatched durability, longevity, and reliability that other options can’t match. However, as successful as they are, it’s thanks to how they evolved over their history. These past versions may not have been the best, but they set the groundwork to benefit you in the modern day. Here’s a quick peek into the history of this treatment.
The First Dental Implants
Going back about 4,000 years, evidence has been found of people using different materials to replace their missing teeth. Using bamboo pegs, Ancient Chinese would carve teeth out of them and fix them into their jawbone. 2,000 years later, the Egyptians also practiced this, but used precious metals (such as jade or Ivory) instead. As flashy as this sounds, the posts that were made didn’t fuse properly.
The Start of Modern Dental Implants
In the 1500s to the 1800s, gold and other metal alloys were starting to make their debut. While they were still unreliable, it gave way for Dr. E.J. Greenfield to use 24-karat gold in this tooth replacement during the 1900s.
While his research was also unsuccessful, Drs. Alvin and Moses Strock used it as a foundation! Instead, these brothers opted for Vitallium, which is a mix of cobalt and other substances. This material was used in a hip bone implant, and using it in the jawbone led to the first successful dental implant.
It wasn’t until 1952 when Dr. Per-Ingvar Brånemark made a big step for this treatment toward the modern-day variant. He was studying bone healing and regeneration, he used titanium and placed it into a rabbit’s femur. The metal fused with the bone, so he wasn’t able to remove it. Using this information, Dr. Brånemark placed the first titanium dental implant in one of his patients in 1965, and this success led to a breakthrough for the treatment.
How Are Dental Implants Today?
Despite having a lot of history behind it, this tooth replacement option wasn’t widely accepted until the 1980s. Even until now, the materials, techniques, and technology have only become more advanced. Nowadays, titanium is still used for the post that’s placed into your jaw. A ceramic restoration sits on top, which feels and looks just like natural. Although this treatment is in great standing, researchers are still doing their best to make sure it stays the best option for your missing teeth for decades to come.
About the Author
Dr. Alejandro Lamas earned his dental degree from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He is dedicated to giving the community the highest-quality care they deserve, so he continues his education to stay on top of modern dental advancements. With Dr. Lamas’s knowledge and expertise, he is able to place and restore implants in-office, so you stay with a team you trust every step of the way. If you are interested in this treatment for your missing teeth, schedule an appointment or call his office at (754) 701-0386.