While dentists today are capable of replacing teeth more effectively than ever before, it wasn’t always this way. In fact, people spent over a thousand years looking for ways to replace teeth. Historians, archaeologists, and anthropologists have confirmed that old civilizations used many different materials to replace the roots of teeth. To learn how dental implants in Frisco have become what they are today, you’ll want to keep reading. If you’re missing teeth, you can have confidence knowing your tooth replacement is backed up by over half a century of research, development, and clinical application!
The Earliest Dental Implants in Recorded History
One of the earliest discoveries of ancient civilizations using foreign materials to replace teeth includes seashells and carved stones found during archeological digs on lands previously inhabited by the Mayans. These artifacts date all the way back to 600 A.D. and in some cases these materials actually fused with bone tissue!
However, it was very common for these prosthetic roots to be rejected by the body, which is a natural reaction for it to have. This is because these materials were not compatible with the body’s organic bone and soft tissue.
The Turning Point for Dental Implant Technology
It was not until the 1950s that Swedish orthopedic surgeon Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark accidentally discovered that titanium optic chambers implanted in the leg bones of rabbits could not be removed. What had occurred is a process known by dentists and oral surgeons alike as osseointegration. This is a phenomenon where biocompatible metal (in this case titanium) was capable of safely fusing with organic structures within the mouth.
Eventually, the first trials of placing dental implants in humans occurred and showed great promise as a potential solution for long-term tooth replacement. Of course, tooth replacement was far from the only application where this process would be utilized. The same principle is applied for other implants throughout the body, such as hip replacements!
Where Dental Implants Stand Today
Today, the American Dental Association estimates that more than 5 million dental implants are placed each year by dentists in the United States alone. They are also used in many countries throughout the world, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Thailand, Mexico, Turkey, Hungary, Croatia, Poland, and countless others. They are considered by most dentists today to be the gold standard for replacing teeth because they are the only solution that replaces the root and the crown, something that can’t be said for traditional options like bridges and dentures. Since they fuse with the bone, they can also last decades (and even for life) when properly maintained!
If you’re in need of a replacement tooth and want to learn more about dental implants, get in touch with a dentist to schedule an implant consultation!
About the Author
Dr. Deval Parmar is trained to perform every phase of dental implant treatment in one place, including the surgical portion. Her expertise in tooth replacement as well as her meticulous attention to detail ensure your future tooth replacement not only looks incredibly natural, but feels that way as well. Whether you’re missing one tooth or all the teeth in your smile, you can get started rebuilding your smile by contacting her through her website.