Dental implants have existed for thousands of years. During ancient history, different materials were used, from shells, elephant ivory to precious metals. This shows how it has always been important to have both a functional but also an aesthetic replacement for teeth.
Dental Implants History
During the 18th and 19th centuries, before titanium implants were discovered, a lot of doctors tried to design implants made from materials that weren’t rejected by the body, but their experiments failed.
Later in the 1900’s Drs. Alvin and Moses Strock tried using fixtures made from Vitallium, which had been used before for hip bone implants. By doing so, they achieved an implant that lasted longer and were considered the first official successful implant.
In 1952, Dr. Per-Ingvar Brånemark discovered during a study on bone healing and regeneration that something weird occurred with titanium when it was placed on a rabbit’s femur, it got stuck. Somehow the bone started growing and healing around the metal. This process where the bone blends with titanium was later called osseointegration. After years of research and experimentation, in 1965 he used titanium to replace a missing tooth, and it was a success. Then he published his studies showing why this metal was so beneficial for dental implants. His discovery marked a milestone in implant dentistry.
Benefits
Dental implants have evolved and become the best solution to replace missing teeth. They not only have a minute failure percentage, but they also have a 25-year average life expectancy.
One of the reasons why most people choose them is because they look, act and feel like natural teeth, helping your oral health and your self-esteem. By being placed in the jawbone, they stimulate it and prevent bone loss and premature aging.
They also won’t limit you on your diet, and unlike other solutions such as dentures, they won’t slip out. Also, compared to other options, the hygiene is really simple. You just have to clean them as if they were your real teeth!
Conclusion
Even though failure isn’t common when talking about implants, one of the main reasons is the expertise of dentists. That is why it is very important to be treated by a trustworthy doctor. Consider scheduling a consultation with a local dentist to learn more about how to implement a safe dental implant at Brownstone Dental.