If you suffer from tooth loss, you’ve likely heard of dental implants. They’re the restorations that work well and use titanium as their base material. However, these substitute teeth didn’t always rely on metallic parts. Dental implants have slowly evolved for thousands of years to reach where they are now. If you want the specifics of these changes, your Dallas dentist will gladly share a few. Here’s a primer on how dental implants evolved from ancient origins to their present form.
Dental Implants in the Ancient World
Rather than a recent invention, dental implants were first made many thousands of years ago. They started out as one of many developments in the ancient world.
For example, just take a look at ancient China. Its citizens made dental implants from carved bamboo pegs as early as 2,000 BCE. In doing so, the intent was that these pegs could be set into the bones in one’s mouth to remain stable.
Other ancient or classical groups also developed the idea of dental implants. Based on current research, it seems the Egyptians of 1000 BCE would carve implant pegs and hammer them into the jawbone. A few archaeologists have even found human skulls with false teeth made of ivory or jade.
Dental Implants’ Early-Modern Rise
In the 19th and 20th centuries, several advances made dental implants far more effective. One has only to look at the historical notes for proof.
First, dentists of the 1800s were diligent and resourceful in their research. Many of them began to grasp that the body rejected certain dental implants due to poor materials. In response, some tried to fix the issue by trying various substances. These alternatives were usually failures but fed into useful research years later.
By the 1900s, real success was occurring in dental implant evolution. Drs. Alvin and Moses Strock were the first to place an implant successfully in the 1930s. As for the reason, these two doctors had made their implant posts out of Vitallium – a chromium-cobalt alloy. Swedish surgeon Ingvar Brånemark later found that titanium could fuse with a bone to make an ideal dental implant.
Present-Day Dental Implants
Even years after Brånemark’s discovery, titanium is still the most used material for dental implants. That fact hasn’t change despite the passage of many decades.
Still, modern dentists have kept pushing dental implants forward. Many now rely on cone beam CT scans for precise implant placement. Similarly, other dentists have found ways for implants to stop bacterial films. These developments make today’s dental implants more effective and lifelike than ever.
When you grasp how dental implants evolved, you can see they’ve come a long way. Take time to appreciate that fact if you plan to get the posts soon.
About the Practice
Distinctive Dentistry is based in Dallas, GA. Led by several amazing dentists, our practice takes pride in offering family dental care to a wide range of patients. That means we provide preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, as well as emergency dentistry when needed. No matter your oral issue, our team will gladly get your smile on the right track! For more details or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (770)-445-6606.
