How The Idea Of Dental Implants Was Implanted

Modern dental implants have been utilized since the 1970s. That implants are a successful and effective dental treatment used to replace missing teeth has been proven via scientific research and decades of clinical use. The idea of implanting titanium into bone was stumbled upon in 1952 by an orthopedic surgeon studying how bone healed. Simply put, he placed a small cylinder-like piece of titanium into live bone and was baffled when he couldn’t remove it. That’s how the idea of implants was planted.

Early Implants

Archeologists have discovered ancient skulls from early Mayan civilization as far back as 600 A.D. in which implants were attempted.  Jade stones, seashells fragments, animal teeth, and other materials were used, some were found actually fused to the bone.

Osseointegration

The 1952 discovery changed implants forever. Modern dental implants use titanium posts that fuse with the bone after a few months and recreated the stability of an actual tooth root. The titanium is biocompatible, meaning it can coexist with living bone tissue without any negative effects, and produces a strong and stable base. The special property titanium has of fusing to bone is called osseointegration and is the basis of modern implant success.

Old vs. New

When the earliest implants were fabricated they were one-size-fits-all. They were all the same circumference, albeit the length was variable. Today’s implants can be custom fabricated to blend with the size, shape, and color of the patient’s natural dentition. The osseointegration process has also been improved upon by increasing the surface area of the titanium posts so the jawbone has more area to which to attach.

About Your Reno Dentists

Dr. William Wager, Dr. Brian Evans, and our highly experienced team at Wager Evans Dental are devoted to our patients and their families, and dedicated to providing first-rate dental care in a comfortable, inviting environment. Located in Reno, we proudly welcome residents from Spanish Springs, Sparks, Incline Village, Dayton, Fernley, and all surrounding communities. To schedule a consultation or your next dental appointment, visit our office, or contact us today by calling (775) 800-4845.