Dental implants have evolved significantly, transforming the way smiles are restored. These implants, which look like titanium screws, are surgically inserted into the jawbone to replace missing tooth roots. Highly valued by both patients and dentists, they are key to improving smiles. The journey of dental implants from their early beginnings to the present has seen remarkable advancements. To learn more about their history and the progress made over time, keep reading!
Ancient Dental Implants
The history of dental implants dates back to around 600 A.D. in China, where bamboo pegs were used as the earliest known implant material. By 1000 B.C., ancient Egyptians began using pegs made from precious metals, marking the first documented use of such materials in dental implants.
Archaeologists have also uncovered implants made from ivory and precious gems like jade. Additionally, ancient Mayans were found to have seashell fragments and intricately carved stones in their mouths, with some showing signs of fusion with the bone.
Developments in Dental Implants
From the 1500s to the 1800s, European scientists explored dental implants using materials like silver, porcelain, and combinations of gold with other metals. They also experimented with iridium tubes. During this time, it was common to extract teeth from the poor or deceased and transplant them into the mouths of the wealthy.
Dental Implants in the 20th Century
In 1913, Dr. E.J. Greenfield developed a method for replacing teeth using iridio-platinum cylinders bonded with gold. Building on this innovation, Alvin and Moses Strock made groundbreaking progress in the 1930s by successfully implanting Vitallium orthopedic screws in both dogs and humans, marking the first successful dental implant procedures.
Modern Dental Implants
In 1938, Dr. P.B. Adams patented an implant with a healing cap to encourage tissue regeneration. This implant had internal and external threading and a smooth collar for the gums. In the 1940s, Dr. Manlio Formiggini and Dr. F. Zepponi developed an implant with a stainless-steel spiral to improve stability in the jawbone, which Dr. Perron Andres later upgraded with a solid shaft.
In 1952, an orthopedic surgeon made a groundbreaking discovery: titanium could naturally bond with bone tissue. This finding led to the idea of using titanium as the ideal material for implants. The first titanium implant was successfully placed in 1965, setting the stage for the widespread use of titanium implants in the 1970s.
About the Practice
For more than 30 years, the team at Dental Center of Aspen Hill has provided reliable and compassionate dental care to patients of all ages in the DFW area. Their focus on preventive care helps maintain the oral health of everyone they treat. Committed to both comfort and quality, they offer a wide range of services to keep your teeth healthy and looking great, including dental implants. if you’d like to learn more about dental implants or to schedule an appointment, visit Dental Center of Aspen Hill’s website or contact our office at (301) 871-6660.