The Story of Dental Implants: How They Evolved to Benefit You

Missing teeth is hardly a modern problem people have. Your ancestors likely experienced it themselves, but they also had their own way of dealing with it. While you may not use the same things they did, their ideas helped plant the seed that became modern dental implants. This treatment has since evolved to benefit you today, so here’s a look back into the history of it.

How Dental Implants Found Their Start

Even as far back as 4,000 years ago, there’s evidence of people replacing their missing teeth. Ancient Chinese communities would use bamboo pegs that they carved to mimic the dental structure and place them into their jawbone.

Jumping forward 2,000 years, the Egyptians found their own method. Using precious metals, like jade or ivory, they would then put them into their jaw. However, these weren’t able to fuse with the bone, so they might not have been too reliable.

The Beginnings of Modern Dental Implants

Different communities would use their own things, but it wasn’t until the 1500s to the 1800s that dental implants started to find their footing. Metal alloys started to be considered for this treatment, but they were still unreliable. This thought led Dr. E.J. Greenfield to use 24-karat gold in this tooth replacement in the 1900s.

Although his work was also unsuccessful, Drs. Alvin and Moses Strock used his research as a foundation for their own. These brothers used Vitallium for their version. This is a mix of cobalt and other materials, but it was often used in hip bone implants. By using it in the jawbone, the first successful dental implant was done!

In 1952, Dr. Per-Ingvar Brånemark then made the next big step for this treatment. He was studying how bones heal and regenerate, and thought of using titanium. He placed it into a rabbit’s femur, but when he tried to remove it, it wouldn’t budge as the bone tissue fused to the post. Using this information, Dr. Brånemark placed the first dental implant made from this metal in 1965, leading to a breakthrough whose ripples can still be seen today.

Dental Implants for Smiles Today

This tooth replacement option didn’t become widely accepted until the 1980s, but the history behind it has only gotten more advanced. The materials, techniques, and technology used have made the entire process of getting a full smile more effective and efficient than before.

Nowadays, titanium is still used, but zirconia is another option that patients may get. The restoration that sits up top helps your full smile look and feel entirely natural. That way, you enjoy a treatment that’s only become better than before with results you feel your best in.

About the Practice

At Springhetti Dentistry, you benefit from the skilled leadership of Dr. Aaron Springhetti and Dr. Jenna Oberley. We are dedicated to helping the Carmel community restore their missing teeth with reliable options like dental implants. Through advanced training, we can complete the entire process in-house, so you can stay with a team you trust throughout. If you have questions about this treatment, schedule an appointment or call our office at (317) 875-7645.