HISTORY OF DENTAL IMPLANTS
At PGA Dentistry, we enjoy serving our clients to the best of our ability. No matter what procedure or treatment you seek, we have the experience and the certification to meet the challenge. For our patients in Palm Beach Gardens, FL we encourage them to become more knowledgeable of the treatments they seek, including dental implants. And while we go on and on about the advantages of dental implants, here we’ll dispense a little history of the dental implant instead.
Ancient Implants
Dental implants have actually been present in our human history for a very long time. In fact, primitive dental implants were found on skeletons dating back to ancient times in both Egypt and France. Tooth loss due to tooth decay can be found as far back as our Stone Age ancestors, so it makes sense that later descendants would attempt to fashion replacement teeth.
In Egypt, a skeleton was found to have a replacement tooth-shaped from a piece of shell, while an ancient skull from Algeria was found to have a tooth constructed from bone. In France, a tomb of Celtic elite was found with heavily decorated skeletons, one of which had a tooth replaced with an iron pin. Since the rest of the skeleton’s teeth were in relatively good shape, it was theorized that it was lost due to blunt force.
As you can see, it’s been part of our history to show some care and maintenance to our teeth. Regardless of the primitive use of cleaning (if any at all), it’s interesting to find that our ancestors attempted to replace their teeth.
The Discovery Of Osseointegration
A dentist molds the perfect crown for a patient’s dental implant. Modern day dental implants came about quite differently. While the field was young and not very respected, it was thanks to a Swedish scientist that the idea of osseointegration for dental implants came about.
Per-Ingvar Brånemark and his team were testing titanium implants in animal leg bones in the early 1950s. When they went back to remove the titanium implants from the legs, it was discovered that the bone had begun to grow around the implant, making removal difficult. This difficulty increased as time went on.
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A dentist molds the perfect crown for a patient’s dental implant. Modern day dental implants came about quite differently. While the field was young and not very respected, it was thanks to a Swedish scientist that the idea of osseointegration for dental implants came about.
Per-Ingvar Brånemark and his team were testing titanium implants in animal leg bones in the early 1950s. When they went back to remove the titanium implants from the legs, it was discovered that the bone had begun to grow around the implant, making removal difficult. This difficulty increased as time went on.
Brånemark dubbed the fusion of titanium to the bone as “osseointegration,” and pitched a new approach to dental implants. At first the new method of using titanium for dental implants was not well-received, but the trend grew more popular and became widely accepted. It was the missing piece that ultimately made dental implants successful.
This new fusion, osseointegration, secured the dental implant to the bone as a viable tooth replacement. When the implant is embedded, it stimulates the bone to weave fibers around the implant and bond it closely. It also prevents surrounding teeth from shifting out of place to compensate for the empty space. It’s an advantage that our ancient ancestors were unaware of.
Brånemark dubbed the fusion of titanium to the bone as “osseointegration,” and pitched a new approach to dental implants. At first the new method of using titanium for dental implants was not well-received, but the trend grew more popular and became widely accepted. It was the missing piece that ultimately made dental implants successful.
This new fusion, osseointegration, secured the dental implant to the bone as a viable tooth replacement. When the implant is embedded, it stimulates the bone to weave fibers around the implant and bond it closely. It also prevents surrounding teeth from shifting out of place to compensate for the empty space. It’s an advantage that our ancient ancestors were unaware of.
Modern Day Perks Of Dental Implants
Today dental implants continue to make waves in the dental field. More and more patients are opting for dental implants, whether it’s the loss of a single tooth or just swapping out their dentures for an alternative treatment. Today, Dr. Ajmo can even work with you to craft your perfect dental implant, down to the size and color of what your original tooth looked like. That’s something our ancestors didn’t have access to.
Unlike our ancestors who inserted implants without anesthetic and with crude construction, we now have the technology to make your dental implant treatment the most comfortable and satisfying dental experience for you. We guarantee you’ll love your new smile, complete with a natural-looking dental implant.
Dental implants hold a host of benefits that some patients find more advantageous than other tooth replacement treatments. First, dental implants are remarkably resilient. Compared to other dental treatments that often use ceramics or acrylic, the porcelain crown and titanium screw of the implants have been found to last much longer than these others, so long as proper care and maintenance is given. With a dental implant you can continue enjoying the foods you love and caring for your implant as you would with your natural teeth.
DISCOVER DENTAL IMPLANTS FOR YOURSELF
For patients in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Stuart, FL, one of the best solutions available for your tooth loss is dental implants with Dr. Ajmo. This versatile tooth replacement is permanent and durable, and has the ability to last for a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. If you want to learn more about dental implants for your tooth loss, we encourage you to peruse the site or contact us. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Ajmo as well, to have your oral health evaluated and your candidacy for dental implants determined.
