Dental implants are one of the most valuable and innovative treatments available. However, they weren’t always the refined and sensitive procedures that you know today. For all their innovation, dental implants were invented a long time ago! But how long ago? And how did modern dental implant techniques evolve over time? Read on to find out.
Ancient Beginnings of Dental Implants
The concept of dental implants dates back thousands of years to ancient China where the first implants were bamboo pegs. About two thousand years later, evidence of dental implant technology began to appear in other parts of the world. The Mayans and Etruscans, for example, made their implants from materials like seashells, ivory, and even other human teeth! Just like today, they were used to replace missing teeth for both functional and aesthetic purposes.
Egyptian Innovations
Other ancient cultures made significant strides in dental implant technology. The Egyptians used carved stones as dental implants and then experimented with using metal pegs to replace missing teeth. The first recorded metal dental implant was found in the mouth of a Pharoah dating back to 1000 B.C. These early attempts laid the groundwork for future innovations in dental implantology.
The Beginning of the Modern Era
There were attempts at better dental implants using various alloys in the1800s and early 1900s. However, the modern era of dental implants didn’t truly begin until 1952. A Swedish orthopedic surgeon named Per-Ingvar Brånemark accidentally discovered osseointegration, the process by which titanium implants fuse with the bone. This groundbreaking discovery laid the foundation for modern dental implantology.
Dental Implants Today
Today, tooth implants are typically made from materials like titanium or ceramic, which offer excellent durability and body compatibility. Additionally, advancements in imaging technology, like cone beam scanners, have revolutionized the planning and placement of dental implants. This has led to far more aesthetic and successful implants for millions of patients.
The evolution of dental implants is a beautiful thing. From humble beginnings in ancient civilizations to advanced innovations in the modern era, these implants have come a long way. With ongoing research and development, who knows what the future will look like? Whatever dental discoveries it holds, many dentists believe it looks brighter than ever!
About the Practice
At Galleria Dentistry, our team of talented and passionate dental experts have the knowledge and technology to place sturdy, long-lasting dental implants. The procedure takes skill to perform correctly, but our team have placed many successful implants with happy patients. Call (239) 592-5112 to schedule a dental implant consultation or visit the website to explore other services.