Have you ever wondered how an advanced tooth replacement like dental implants were created? The process started much longer ago than you might think, and since then, new techniques have continued to improve the way dentists use dental implants. For a more thorough understanding of the history of dental implants and how they’ve advanced over the years, keep scrolling!
The Earliest Dental Implants
The earliest attempts at dental implants can be traced nearly 4,000 years ago to ancient China. Bamboo was the material of choice for the Chinese; they fashioned the bamboo into pegs that could be inserted into an empty dental socket. Unfortunately, these implants weren’t a long-term solution, as they would ultimately be rejected by the body and fail.
Other attempts were made all over the world. The Mayans, for example, used seashells, while the Egyptians tried precious metals and stones. These prototypes aren’t considered successful, as they either failed or had limited functionality. Significant improvements wouldn’t be made until the early 20th century!
Dental Implants in the 20th Century
In 1952, Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark made a sort of “accidental” discovery. While experimenting with a rabbit femur and titanium medical device, he neglected to remove the device from the bone. When Dr. Branemark returned to the scene some time later, he found that the femur and the titanium were so closely fused together that they could not be separated.
Dr. Branemark was able to use the principle of osseointegration (where natural bone merges with biocompatible materials) to create and place the very first successful dental implant. The rest, as they say, is history.
What You Can Expect Today
Today, dentists have continued to improve and expound upon Dr. Branemark’s original dental implant design. For example, now you can receive a more comprehensive replacement by attaching dental implants to another restoration, like a denture or bridge. New technology has also made placing dental implants easier and more precise than ever! Truly, dental implants have come a long way to be able to benefit you and your smile.
About the Author
Dr. Vidya Kini Kukkundur earned her dental degree from the New York University College of Dentistry and has been serving patients near South Jersey for over 13 years. As a lifelong learner committed to continuing education, she’s excited to be able to offer the most advanced tooth replacement option to-date: dental implants. If you’d like to learn more about what modern dental implants can do for you, feel free to contact Dr. Vidya’s office at 856-596-4333.