As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” so it probably doesn’t come as much of a shock to learn that dental implants weren’t always as successful and reliable as they are now. But maybe you weren’t expecting to find out they’ve been in development for literal centuries! Here are some of the impressive improvements dental implants have gone through over the years.
Ancient Dental Implants
As far back as 4,000 years ago, the ancient Chinese carved bamboo pegs to use as replacement teeth. They would fix these bamboo pegs to the jawbone, much like how titanium posts are used to connect modern implants to the bone. Ultimately, however, these ancient implants didn’t last very long, as the body would eventually reject the incompatible materials. Egyptians would run into the same problem some 2,000 years later with replacements made from ivory and precious gems.
Early Modern Materials
From about the 1500’s to the 1800’s, scientists in Europe tried blending various metals together, hoping to find an alloy that would function as a permanent restoration. But gold, silver, and porcelain simply couldn’t fuse with bone material – though they often did last longer than bamboo or ivory implants.
20th Century Improvements
Major strides would finally be made in 1952, when Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark experimented with titanium and a rabbit femur. After discovering that the bone material completely fused with the titanium and could not be separated, Dr. Branemark rushed to continue his research. He was able to place the first successful dental implant in 1965, and to this day, titanium is the material of choice for many different kinds of medical replacements!
The Dental Implants of Today and Tomorrow
Thanks to centuries of development, modern dental implants can last for a lifetime when they’re well-taken care of, and have a success rate of 95%. Of course, technology continues to advance, and with 3D printing becoming more and more accessible, dentists are finding new ways to shorten fabrication timelines and create more precise fittings. Truly, the history of dental implants and their future potential is astounding!
About the Practice
Our team at Nu Dental Eatontown combines their unique experiences and skills to provide patients with the best dental care possible. Thanks to their dedication to continuing education, we can complete the entire dental implant process right here in our office! If you’re interested in these highly advanced tooth replacements, give us a call at 732-863-3899.