History of Dental Implants
Modern dental implants have been used for decades. These titanium posts replace missing tooth roots and provide a stable foundation for restorations such as crowns, bridges, and dentures.
Dental implants have only been in use since 1965. However, the road to modern implants was a long one that goes back to the ancient world. Today, our team at Gooch Family Dental in Birmingham, AL explores a brief history of dental implants.
Dental Implants in the Ancient World
People have been unhappy about tooth loss since early times. In fact, the earliest known tooth replacement method was discovered in Egypt in approximately 2500 BC. Human remains suggest that their ancient civilization tried to stabilize loose teeth by binding them together with gold wire.
The first attempt at dental implantology is accredited to the ancient Chinese. They used carved bamboo pegs to replace missing teeth.
After this, civilizations around the world began experimenting with different methods of tooth replacement:
- 1000 BC: An Egyptian king had copper pegs hammered into the jawbone to replace missing teeth. Experts are not sure whether this was completed before or after his death.
- 100 BC: The natural teeth from animals and slaves were used to complete the smiles of those who could afford it.
- 300 AD: The Phoenicians created fixed bridges using carved ivory and gold wire.
- 600 AD: Seashells were used to replace missing teeth in Mayan civilizations, according to discoveries made by an archaeology team in 1931.
- 800 AD: The Hondurans and Mayans began using stone implants to replace missing teeth.
1500s - 1800s
As time went on, people continued their mission to find a reliable tooth replacement method. Between the 1500s and 1800s, people took teeth from cadavers or purchased them from the poor to replace their own missing teeth. As you can imagine, these attempts failed due to infections.
In 1886, the first porcelain crown was mounted on a platinum disc. Though this was the first known attempt of a standardized dental implant, it was unfortunately rejected by the body.
The main issue with all of these attempts was that dentists could not figure out a way to fuse the implant directly to the jawbone. This process, osseointegration, is extremely important for long-term success. So, experts began to experiment with different metal alloys, hoping to find the right solution.
Per Ingvar Brånemark
Dental implants as we know them today exist because of Per Ingvar Brånemark, a Swedish orthopedic surgeon. During a study on bone healing and regeneration, he noticed that a titanium rod had fused to the femur bone of a rabbit.
Although osseointegration was not the intent for this experiment, it ended up being the catalyst for modern dental implants. In 1965, Brånemark placed the first successful dental implant in a human volunteer.
Modern Advances
Since Brånemark’s discovery, experts have found ways to further improve the reliability and longevity of dental implants. For example, the surface of titanium implants are roughened to promote the process of osseointegration.
In most cases, an implant can fuse to the jawbone in about three to six months. Once healed, an abutment and crown can be placed, providing the patient with a fully functional, natural-looking smile.
Contact Gooch Family Dental
Are you interested in learning more about how dental implants can improve your quality of life? If so, schedule a consultation at our practice. Contact Gooch Family Dental online or call us at (205) 545-8001.