The History of Dental Implants
There are two basic types of dentistry: general dentistry, which involves cleaning teeth, filling cavities and performing root canals, and cosmetic dentistry, which involves veneers, teeth whitening, dental implants and other treatments focused on the appearance of the teeth.
Dental implants have been attempted since ancient times. The Etruscans, an Italian civilization that existed around 700 B.C. used gold bands placed around the teeth to secure replacement teeth in the place where teeth were missing. The replacement teeth were often obtained from cadavers, living people willing to sell their teeth, or even from animals. Others that attempted early dental implants were the Mayans. Archeologists have recovered ancient skulls dating back to 600 A.D. which contain teeth replaced by carefully carved pieces of stone or seashell.
Dental implants certainly have come a long way. Thankfully, we don’t need to use teeth taken from other people or animals. Dentists today have a choice of porcelain, resins and acrylics. We no longer use gold bands to secure replacement teeth, titanium rods are now the material of choice.
During the 1930s dentists used the first screw in dental implants, but it wasn’t until around 1951 that it was found that titanium fuses to bone in a process called osseointegration. Osseointegration was discovered by accident when an orthopedic surgeon determined that a piece of titanium he had experimentally placed in a bone could not be removed, it had fused to the bone.
That orthopedic surgeon’s name was P. I. Branemark and he originally intended his discovery to be used in hip and knee surgery. He eventually concluded that the mouth was more easily accessed for continued clinical observation and the high rate of tooth loss in the general population supplied more subjects to study. He was the one to coin the term osseointegration for the adherence of bone with titanium. In 1965 Branemark placed the first titanium dental implant into a human volunteer, though dental implants weren’t successfully marketed until the 1980s. By the 1990s, using dental implants to replace missing teeth had become extremely popular.
Since their inception, dental implants have undergone many improvements, but the basic idea is the same. A dental implant generally consists of a titanium screw to replace the tooth root. The surface of the titanium is often roughened by blasting or etching to increase the likelihood of the osseointegration of the implant.
For the process of osseointegration to be successful the dental implant needs to be surrounded by healthy bone and soft tissue. If a patient does not have enough healthy bone and soft tissue to support the implant the dentist will needs to reconstruct it.
Ultimately, the success of a dental implant is dependent on the quantity and quality of the bone it must fuse with, the patient’s oral hygiene, and the expertise of the dentist. All in all, dental implants have an impressive survival rate of up to 97%.
Like natural teeth dental implants must be properly maintained. They will need to be cleaned regularly to remove plaque. The porcelain on the crowns may crack or require other repairs occasionally.
At Aesthetic Dentistry of Arrowhead, Dr. Greg Ceyhan in Phoenix Arizona has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education, to learn the newest and most innovative treatments and techniques in implant dentistry. Call today to schedule a complete dental exam with Aesthetic Dentistry of Arrowhead. Afterward your Phoenix dentist can discuss the findings and treatment options. He will also discuss the cost of the treatment plan and payment options.
When your treatment is finished your Phoenix dental implants will look and feel like your natural teeth. Simply brush, floss and see your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Osseointegration And Why Does It Matter For Dental Implants?
Osseointegration is the process where titanium fuses directly to bone. It was discovered by accident in the 1950s when an orthopedic surgeon found a piece of titanium he had placed in a bone could not be removed because it had fused there. That same fusion is what lets a modern implant hold a replacement tooth as securely as a natural root.
How Long Does It Take For A Dental Implant To Fuse With The Jawbone?
Osseointegration typically takes about 3 to 4 months in the lower jaw and 6 to 8 months in the upper jaw before a permanent crown is placed, though the exact timeline depends on the patient's bone quality and overall health. Your dentist will confirm the implant has fused before moving forward with the final restoration.
What Are Dental Implants Made Of Today?
A modern dental implant is generally a titanium screw that replaces the tooth root, topped with a crown made of porcelain, resin, or acrylic. The titanium surface is often roughened by blasting or etching to increase the surface area available for the bone to fuse with.
How Successful Are Modern Dental Implants?
Dental implant survival rates reported in the literature commonly exceed 95%, and outcomes like this depend on the patient's bone quality, oral hygiene, and overall health. A dentist can evaluate your candidacy and walk you through what to expect for your specific case.