A Closer Look at the Storied History of Dental Implants

For several decades, dental implants have been lauded as the “gold standard of tooth replacement” – and when you see the long list of benefits that they offer patients who’ve suffered from tooth loss, it’s pretty easy to understand why this is a fitting nickname. That said, dental implants have changed quite a bit over the years to become the impressive solution they are today. Here’s a closer look at this evolution and why getting dental implants is one of the best things you can do if you’ve been without a complete smile for some time.

A Closer Look at Early Dental Implants

Tooth loss is by no means a modern problem; people have been attempting to replace missing teeth for thousands of years, and in all kinds of creative and innovative ways. Researchers have uncovered evidence of Ancient Mayans using stones, seashells, and even fragments of bone to fill the gaps left by lost teeth.

Technically speaking though, the first iteration of the “dental implant” dates back almost 4,000 years ago – the Chinese carved pegs of bamboo that could be fixed on the jaw to serve as replacement teeth. Around 2,000 years later, Ancient Egyptians began using precious metals and gems, as well as elephant ivory, in a similar fashion, placing them in the jaw to “replace” lost teeth. Throughout the Middle Ages and up until the 20^th century, various other methods and materials were used, with varying degrees of success.

Modern Dental Implants Have Come a Long Way

Credit must be given to our ancestors – even back then, they knew the importance of teeth and did their best to replace them. However, it wasn’t until the 1900s that dental implant technology took a massive leap forward. In 1952, an orthopedic surgeon who was studying bone healing and regeneration implanted a piece of titanium into a rabbit’s femur and noticed that he later wasn’t able to remove it; the metal had actually fused with the bone tissue!

About a decade later, he was able to apply this to dentistry. He placed the very first titanium implant in a human patient’s mouth, and though this procedure was a resounding success, it wasn’t until the 1980s when his research became mainstream and dental implants emerged as the standard.

These days, dental implants can do what was originally impossible – replace missing teeth from root to crown and ensure optimal oral health for patients as they move forward in life. That said, if you have missing teeth that you’d like to replace, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option than dental implants.

About the Practice

The team at Drew Beaty DDS proudly serves patients and families in the Federal Way, WA community, offering a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental solutions, including dental implants. Rest assured, they’re partnered with local specialists to ensure that your treatment sets your smile up for lasting health and happiness. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with the team to set up a dental implant consultation, please visit their website or call them today for assistance! Telephone: (253) 839-6544.