The Evolution of Dental Implants in 2022

Human beings have carved a long history of tooth replacement methods. Ancient Egyptians used replacement teeth made from shells and bones. Archeologists claim that in 600 B.C., civilizations in South America used oral implants made from carved shells. Dental implants have many advantages. Their simplicity and high success rate make them a top choice for many. There is a lot to learn to understand the evolution of dental implants.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are small posts that act as tooth root replacements. Your oral surgeon places them directly into the jawbone for long-lasting results. A connector called an abutment stays on top of the implant to connect it to the crown. The entire layout encompasses a dental implant. 

Dental implants are more comfortable than dentures. You do not have to worry about them slipping off and they work similarly to natural teeth.

Candidates for Dental Implants

Dental implants are a good solution for individuals who need oral construction. However, they may not work for everyone, as a dental implant candidate needs to be healthy. Their jawbone needs to be strong enough to act as the foundation of the dental implant. Their gums should also be healthy and free of periodontal disease. 

The main prerequisites are adequate jawbone density and good oral hygiene. You should also quit smoking if you are a smoker. You need to be willing to go through the entire implant procedure, which may take as long as a whole year. 

Benefits of Dental Implant

Dental implants are aesthetically appealing because they look like natural teeth and conceal the fact that you have missing teeth. Additionally, they are available in a range of shapes and sizes to best suit your smile. 

Dental implants also prevent bone loss, thus restoring your bite force. They help support facial structure to give you a youthful appearance. A missing tooth can affect your ability to speak naturally, and implants can restore clear speech. Dental implants are simple to maintain and are not susceptible to dental cavities.

Tooth gaps can lead to further loss of teeth. Dental implants help support your adjacent teeth. They are a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth without slipping off as dentures do. Many people who get dental implants always have a good report about the results.

Dental Implant Evolution

Below is a timeline of the evolution of dental implants:
 

• 2500 B.C. - Egyptians used wire made of gold to try and stabilize teeth affected by periodontal disease.

• 500 B.C. - The Etruscans used oxen bones for teeth replacements.

• 300 A.D. - Creation of fixed bridges made from carved ivory and gold wire for stabilization by the Phoenicians.

• 1500s to 1800s - Europe replaced missing teeth by using teeth transplants from one person to another.

• 1809 - J Maggiolo used gold implant insertion into a fresh extraction site.

• 1913 - Placing an artificial tooth root into the jawbone by Dr. E.J. Greenfield.

• 1930s - Moses Strock and Dr. E J used Vitallium orthopedic screw fixtures as experiments.

• 1938 - Cylindrical endosseous implant was patented by Dr. P.B. Adams.

• 1940s - Manlio Formiggini pioneered the spiral stainless-steel implant that allows the bone to grow inside it.

• After World War II - Collaboration between Drs. Aaron Gershkoff and Norman Goldberg created a sub-periosteal implant. The dentist would place the implant under a flap in the gums, touching the jawbone but not inside.

• Mid 1960s - Breakthrough by the Swedish orthopedic surgeon Per-Ingvar Branemark, who discovered titanium has a property that makes it fuse with the bone. 

Dental Implants in 2022

Today, dental implants comprise high-quality titanium that fuses better with the jawbone. Implants now come in various shapes, contours, sizes, and textures. They can last for many decades without any complications if you take care of them and practice good oral hygiene.

For more on dental implants, visit Clarity Dental Center for Implant and Family Dentistry at our office in Federal Way, Washington. Call (253) 799-1490 to schedule an appointment today.