Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there. Thanks to their ability to replace the roots of the missing teeth, they allow for a wide range of additional benefits that you can’t find with dentures or dental bridges. Many people are surprised to find out that dental implants are not a new invention. They have been around for thousands of years! Here is a brief history of dental implants and how they became what they are today.
The Ancient History of Dental Implants
If you turn back the clock to ancient times – about 2000 B.C., you will see the earliest versions of dental implants. They were made from carved bamboo pegs in the ancient civilization of China. Then, moving ahead, the first recorded case of a metal replacement tooth comes from an Egyptian king who lived in the 11th century B.C. A copper peg was hammered into his upper jaw.
As time went on, it became common to replace missing teeth with teeth from animals and other people, but the infection rate was high. Other items that were used to replace missing teeth include gems, like jade, and seashells. It wasn’t for many years that dental implants became advanced and safe.
Developments in Implant Dentistry
After coming upon the 18th century, researchers started to experiment more with gold and alloys to create dental implants. In the 19th century, a doctor mounted a porcelain crown on a platinum disk. This method, and others at the time, did not end up being very successful.
In 1952, an orthopedic surgeon discovered that titanium cylinders fuse with bone tissue. It was hypothesized that titanium may be the most ideal material to use for dental implants. In 1965, the first titanium dental implant was placed in a volunteer.
Modern Dental Implants
In the 1970s, modern dental implants started to make their first appearances. Over the years, dental technology has become more advanced, so dental implants have become customizable and natural-looking. Now, dental implants are available to people who are missing one, several, most of, or all of their teeth. They have an astonishing success rate of over 95% and are the only tooth replacement solution that prevents jawbone loss. Ultimately, they have become a preferred tooth replacement option by dentists and patients alike!
If you have struggled with tooth loss, dental implants may be the right solution to give you your smile back. By scheduling a consultation with your dentist, you will be showing off a complete smile in just a matter of time!
About the Practice
At Smile by Design of Virginia Beach, Dr. Stephanie L. Santos, Dr. Vinita J. Folck, and Dr. Madison A. Squire work together to treat patients in the Virginia Beach community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. To learn more about dental implants or to schedule a consultation, visit his website or call (757) 499-9639.