Today, many dentists consider dental implants to be the gold standard of tooth replacements, but that hasn’t always been the case. Humans have a long history of attempting to repair their smiles, and early attempts were less than successful. Thanks to more recent developments in technology and materials, however, these artificial teeth are now known as one of the strongest and most reliable ways to refurbish your grin.
Continue reading to learn more about the fascinating story of how dental implants evolved over time!
Prehistoric Prosthetics
Many people are surprised to learn that the earliest replacement teeth date to ancient history and weren’t exclusive to a single population. The earliest known example of a dental implant is from China around 600 A.D. and was made of bamboo. However, other cultures used other materials that were local to their area to try to rebuild their smiles. For instance, archeologists have discovered that Mayans around that time did the same thing with seashells and carved stones. Meanwhile, around 1,000 B.C., Egyptians used precious metals and gems to fill the gaps left behind by lost teeth.
Unfortunately, the human body generally tends to reject foreign materials, so these prehistoric prosthetics would have been unable to stay in place.
Middle Aged Advancements
There weren’t many major advancements regarding artificial teeth until the Middle Ages in Europe. Between 1500 and 1800, scientists began experimenting with metallic blends of gold with other alloys and materials, but without success. Patients continued to reject substances that weren’t organic, so substitute teeth were often recovered from cadavers, like those who had fallen in battle.
Modern Materials
Finally, in the 1930s, brothers Alvin and Moses Strock stumbled into success with dental implants. As doctors, they discovered that Vitallium had been used for hip bone implants and decided to adapt it for oral use. They are credited as being the first to place a metal implant into human bone successfully.
Then, in 1952, a Swedish orthopedic surgeon named Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark accidentally made a major discovery. He was studying healing and bone regeneration when he placed a piece of titanium into a rabbit’s femur. Later, when he tried to remove it, he could not because it had fully integrated with the bone. He later successfully placed a titanium dental implant into a human patient, and this landmark development paved the way for these artificial teeth as we know them today.
Present-Day Updates
Since then, new technology and materials have given rise to further advancements in dental replacements. Not only are dental implants more popular than ever, but they have a 95% success rate even 10 years after their initial placement. Furthermore, they are typically capped with a dental crown that can be color-matched to your teeth for a seamless smile.
Although dental implants haven’t always been so sturdy, today, they’re known as one of the most reliable ways to restore your grin after suffering tooth loss!
About the Practice
At Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry of the Keys, you benefit from two skilled dentists who work together to offer a wide range of services at one convenient location. Drs. Cobb and Mazor have combined decades of experience so that they can handle everything from basic preventative care to more complex procedures like dental implants. They combine a relaxing environment with state-of-the-art equipment to enhance your comfort while increasing the accuracy of treatment results. If you are interested in dental implants and need a consultation, you can request an appointment on the website or by calling (305) 680-1553.