The Strange History of the Dental Implant
Dental Implants are not only a modern procedure you can get from the comfort of the Parkcrest Dental office. In fact, there is actually evidence of dental implant procedures from much further back in time than you may think. Today, we want to discuss the emergence of dental implants from ancient people to the modern method used today and how a surprising discovery led to the emergence of this fascinating procedure. Read below to learn all about the history of the dental implant!
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Dental Implant in Ancient Human History
There is archeological evidence that humans have attempted to replace missing teeth with root form implants for thousands of years. Our oldest found example of an attempted tooth replacement is from ancient China, where remains were found to have carved bamboo pegs drilled into the bone nearly 4000 years ago. In approximately 2500 BCE, the Egyptians attempted tooth replacement using artificial ivory teeth stabilized with gold ligature wire, akin to an ancient set of braces with the ivory tooth resting in the missing gap.
Around 500 BCE, the Etruscans were found to have fashioned replacement teeth from ox bones and held the tooth in place with gold-soldered bands on neighboring teeth. Later, around 600 CE, the Mayan population showed evidence of successful bone formation around a shell-implant, an incredible procedure for that time. Modern radiographs even found that the Mayan procedure was very similar to modern blade implants.
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Dental Implants in Modern Times
The early part of the 20th century found many scientific advances that brought about the modern dental implant. In 1913, the Greenfield implant system was developed. An iridioplatinum implant attached to a gold crown showed evidence of limited fusion with bone and lasted for a few years before replacement was needed.
In the 1950’s a serendipitous finding accelerated the dental implant science. Research was being done on bone healing and regeneration by Swedish orthopedic surgeon Per-Ingvar Brånemark. During his research, he inserted a titanium chamber into the femur of a rabbit. However, when he attempted to remove the expensive, titanium chamber he realized the chamber was “stuck.” The bone had grown in such close proximity to the titanium that it had effectively fused together. This unique property of titanium to fuse with bone was later coined as osseointegration by Brånemark. Brånemark went on to implant his first titanium dental implant into a human volunteer in 1965, and the practice has exploded in popularity since.
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In Need of a Dental Implant?
Since Brånemark’s discovery, dental implants have developed at an astounding pace. And now a dental implant procedure is a standard, safe practice at most dental clinics. Parkcrest Dental Group has been involved in dental implant placement and restoration since 1974 and has become one of the most sought-after services we provide. If you are interested in the best option for tooth replacement Parkcrest Dental Group is your solution. Call us today at 417-887-1220.
