An implant (also known as an endosseous implant or fixture) is a surgical element that connects to the jawbone or skull to support a dental prosthesis, such as a crown, sternum, for dental prostheses, facial prostheses or to act as an orthodontic anchor. When did dental implants start?
The basis of modern dental implants is a biological process called osseointegration, in which materials such as titanium create a close bond with bone. The implant holder is first placed in such a way that it is probably osseointegrated, and then the denture is added. A variable amount of healing time is required for osseointegration before the dental prosthesis (tooth, sternum or prosthesis) is attached to the implant or the abutment is placed to hold the denture / crown.
History of dental implants
The history of the evolution of dental implants is a rich and fascinating travel journal. From the beginning of humanity, people have used dental implants in one form or another to replace missing teeth. Around 2500 BC, the ancient Egyptians tried to stabilize the teeth, which were periodically associated with the use of gold ligature wire. Their manuscripts and texts refer to several interesting references to toothache. Around 500 BC, the Etruscans adapted soldered golden bands from animals to restore oral function in humans; they also developed oxbow bone replacements.
Already in the years 1700 and 1800 people began to experiment with tooth replacement using bones from human donors. This quickly failed when negative reactions occurred in the patients’ immune system.
Although several metals were tried several times unsuccessfully over the next few years, it was not until the 1950s that a first glance appeared on modern dental implants. A Swedish researcher has discovered the remarkable compatibility of bone and titanium, the material that a dentist uses for dental implants today. Over the next 30 years, scientists experimented with melting titanium and bone, and the 1980s brought the first formal introduction of implant dentistry.
Over time, new achievements and technologies are revolutionizing implant dentistry. Some implant dentists have started using a special technology that allows them to place the implant in one day instead of several weeks. Ask your dental implant dentist what systems and technologies are available for your procedure.
Present and future
Since Brånemark’s discovery, oral surgeons have followed the same basic practice, but added improvements. Over 7 million Brånemark System implants have been placed outside the implants of hundreds of other companies.
Dental implants are still made of high-quality titanium alloy and are shaped like screws, so they can enter the jaw more safely. Although this method has advantages and risks, it is standard for implants. The screw-in metal dental implant has become the best method of tooth replacement in the world.
Improvements to Per-Ingvar Brånemark dental implants are still being applied and improved to this day. Dental implants are getting better.
Summary
Thanks to experimenters and curious people, dental implants have come a long way since their creation about 4,000 years ago.
Thank God for that, otherwise we would still stick the pieces of bamboo into the jawbone without anesthesia. And I think we can all agree that it doesn’t sound funny.
