Nowadays, dental implants are becoming more and more popular as a way to fill in the gaps in an incomplete smile. However, it took longer than many people realize for this treatment to get where it is today. The original dental implants were actually very different from the kind that oral surgeons currently use. Below is a closer look at how this tooth replacement option has evolved over the years.
Early Dental Implants
About 4,000 years ago, people in China would replace their missing teeth by inserting bamboo pegs into their jaws. These pegs can be considered the very first dental implants. Other ancient civilizations did a similar thing but with different materials; the Egyptians in 1000 BC used precious metals, while the Mayans in 600 AD used fragments of seashells and carved stones.
Dental Implants in the Early Modern Era
Unfortunately, the earliest dental implants could not be considered successful since they were typically rejected by the body. Many European scientists attempted to solve this problem in the years between 1500 and 1800. They tried making dental implants out of a variety of materials such as silver, porcelain, and gold blended with other metal alloys. However, real progress wouldn’t be made until the 20th century.
The Discovery of Osseointegration
In 1952, Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark made a discovery that paved the way for dental implants as we know them today. He conducted an experiment that involved placing a piece of titanium in a rabbit’s femur. When the time came to remove the titanium, he found that it had permanently fused with the bone thanks to a natural process that would eventually become known as osseointegration.
After some more experimentation, Dr. Branemark went on to place the first titanium implants in 1965. Said implants ultimately proved to be successful. However, Dr. Branemark’s research would not be widely accepted until 1982; once it was, more dentists and oral surgeons adopted the practice of replacing missing teeth with titanium implant posts.
Dental Implants Today
Nowadays, dental implants have an impressively high success rate of 95%. Modern advancements, such as 3D CT scans, help ensure that each implant post is placed as precisely as possible, thus minimizing the risk of complications occurring. As the field of dentistry continues to march forward, dental implants can be expected to evolve as well, becoming even more reliable.
Are you ready to discover the difference that modern dental implants can make for your smile? If you schedule a consultation with your oral surgeon, they can help you figure out whether dental implants are truly right for you.
About the Practice
Here at Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial, & Implant Surgery, our board-certified oral surgeons always strive to bring our patients the best care possible. Patients in Alexandria trust us with a wide range of advanced procedures, including dental implant surgery for replacing any number of missing teeth. If you’re interested in getting dental implants, you can schedule a consultation with our team by visiting our website or calling (571) 777-6501.