The Evolution Of Dental Implants

Many consider dental implants as the driving force of modern dentistry. While they are certainly among the most innovative dental treatments available, the concept of using a foreign material to replace a missing tooth originated thousands of years ago! Of course, at that time, the methods were quite barbaric and included wire ligatures to stabilize prosthetic teeth made of animal bone or seashells.

Want to know how our modern day dental implant evolved? The Foundation For Oral Rehabilitation (FOR) provides a brief history of the dental implant:

• 2500 BC – The Egyptians used gold wire to stabilize loose or damaged teeth
• 500 BC – The Etruscans used carved animal bone to replace missing teeth, and the Phoenicians used gold wire to stabilize damaged teeth
• 600 AD – The Mayans used pieces of seashell as crude implants to replace missing teeth
• 1700 AD – J. Hunter successfully transplanted a tooth from one human to another
• 1809 – J. Maggiolo performed what is considered the first modern dental implant placement by using a gold tube
• 1913 – J. Greenfield surgically placed gold cylinders into the jaw to function as artificial roots
• 1930s – A & M Strock placed vitallium screws in humans and dogs, similar to the “post” in a modern dental implant
• 1938 – The Cylindrical Endosseous Implant is patented by PB Adams
• 1940s – The Post-type end osseous implant is developed by M. Formiggini and F. Zepponi
• 1952 – Osseointegration is discovered by P-I Branemark – this is the first time the implants were actually bonding to bone!
• 1960s – The Double-Helical spiral implant is developed by R. Chercheve in France
• 1965 – The first Titanium implants are used for a full-mouth rehabilitation
• 1998 – All-on-4 treatment is introduced, reducing the number of implants needed for full-arch replacement
• 2005 – The first 3D treatment planning and guided surgery is introduced

Fortunately, those who need to replace missing teeth today can take advantage of dental implants that provide much more stability, longevity and natural stimulation than ever before. However, the advancements of dental implants continue to evolve as techniques and technology improve. To learn more about why dental implants are the preferred tooth replacement choice of the 21st century, schedule a consultation with Dr. Wayne Suway, a leading implant dentist who pursues excellence when it comes to restoring your smile.