People have been dealing with missing teeth for as long as there have been people, and today, thankfully, everyone has plenty of replacement options to choose from. Due to their unique strength, natural appearance, and ability to last for decades, dental implants are now the premier way to close any gaps. But it hasn’t always been this way! While implants are now at the cutting-edge of dental technology, they had to undergo an interesting journey to get there, and they are still evolving today. Keep reading to learn how people went from putting ivory and bamboo in their mouths to where we are today.
Ancient Implants (The Short Version)
As you can imagine, dentistry back in ancient times was quite primitive, leading to most people missing a tooth or two. The idea of restoring the root and crown isn’t new, which is why people from ancient China have been discovered with bamboo tooth roots, while historic Egyptians would often have pegs of precious metals placed into their jawbones. Other items that have been used for implants throughout history include ivory and jade. While these might have looked interesting and been great conversation starters, they weren’t very good at bringing back the teeth.
Getting Closer…
Fast forward a few thousand years to the 16th century, and humanity is still trying to figure out implants. Now, instead of using just any material they can get their hands on, dentists and scientists are now relying on gold and other metal alloys. The biggest issue is that these materials (along with all of the others previously mentioned) wouldn’t bond with the jawbone, so they would lack the strength needed for day-to-day chewing.
Then, in 1952, Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark discovered the secret behind effective implants—titanium. Unlike other metals, it can meld with human bone through a natural process called osseointegration, making it extremely stable and strong. He figured this out by placing titanium in a rabbit femur. When he tried to remove it, he couldn’t because the two were stuck together!
This led to Dr. Branemark placing the first titanium implant in a human patient in 1965, and this led to the first generation of what are considered “modern” dental implants.
Where We Are Today
Thankfully, implants have continued to progress since the mid-60s. Posts have gotten stronger and are now able to work with less bone, saving many patients from having to get a graft ahead of the placement surgery. Today’s materials now actively reduce the amount of bacterial biofilms that form, leading to lowered infection risk.
Dentists can now take 3D X-rays to plan implant procedures in minute detail, and the procedure itself can be completed with the aid of robots or 3D-printed surgical guides. All of these advancements are why implants have an impressive 97% success rate, making them one of the most reliable dental treatments available.
Dental implants have had an interesting journey through history, and thankfully, you’re at the point where they are more effective and reliable than ever. With them, you can get a smile that will stand the test of time.
About the Author
Dr. Michael Kirk has been taking care of Oklahoma City smiles for more than 30 years as a trusted implant dentist. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, he went on to earn a certificate in dental implantology from the University of Texas, and he also holds Fellowship status in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, making him one of the leading implant dentists in the state.
If you’d like to learn more about dental implants in Oklahoma City and what they could do for you, contact Grand Dental Studio today.