Dental implants are renowned for providing the best results for replacing one, several, or all missing teeth. With the number of patient success stories, you might wonder exactly how these restorations even started. Read on to learn how dental implants have evolved throughout thousands of years to become perhaps the pinnacle of tooth replacements!
The Earliest Forms of Dental Implants
Before modern dentistry existed, people were already experimenting with ways to replace missing teeth. As far back as 4,000 years ago, ancient Chinese civilizations used bamboo pegs placed directly into the gums. Roughly 2,000 years later, the Egyptians took a different approach by crafting tooth replacements from materials like ivory, precious metals, and jade. These early attempts were mainly focused on cosmetics rather than function. The dental implants then didn’t fuse with the jawbone or support proper chewing, meaning they offered little benefit beyond appearance.
The Start of the Modern Dental Implant Era
By the early 1900s, dentists were becoming more curious about the idea of permanent tooth replacement. Dr. E.J. Greenfield was one of the first to explore this, experimenting with 24-karat gold as a replacement material, but his results were unsuccessful. Later on, two brothers, Dr. Alvin and Dr. Moses Strock, picked up where Dr. Greenfield left off, using a metal alloy called Vitallium made from cobalt and other elements, which became the first material to successfully fuse with bone, creating the first functional dental implant.
In 1952, titanium was discovered to naturally bond with bone tissue by Dr. Per Ingvar Brånemark as he conducted research on a rabbit femur. Dental implants constructed of this metal were first placed in humans in 1965, and by the 1980s, they had earned widespread acceptance as a reliable tooth replacement option within the dental field.
The Evolution of Today’s Dental Implants
From that point on, dental implants have continued to improve in both design and versatility. Newer approaches, such as zygomatic implants, mini implants, and the All-on-4 technique, have expanded treatment options for those dealing with tooth loss. These advancements make it possible to help a wider range of people, even those who were not candidates in the past. Implants also look far more natural and work like normal teeth. With further research and innovation, these restorations promise greater reliability and longevity in the years ahead.
About the Practice
At Advanced Dental Concepts, we want patients to feel comfortable and confident about their chosen treatments. Our team offers various restorative dentistry options, including dental implants, and we only work with the best specialists so that you can expect the highest quality results. Want to know more about how to replace a missing tooth? Check out our website or give us a call today at 219-926-7595.