When Did Dental Implants Start

The history of dentistry is a captivating journey of innovation, highlighting the importance people place on the health and beauty of their smiles. While we tend to think of dental implants as a modern dental care innovation, their history actually dates back much further than we might imagine.

Ancient Attempts at Tooth Replacement

The earliest attempts at dental implants can be traced back to the ancient world. These early endeavors aimed to fill the gaps left by missing teeth in both living individuals and the deceased.

• 4,000 Years Ago – In China, bamboo pegs were used to fill the spaces left by missing teeth.
• 3,000 Years Ago – In Egypt, an Egyptian king had a copper peg placed into the gap left by a missing upper tooth, even after his death.
• 2,300 Years Ago – An iron false tooth was discovered in a Celtic grave in France. This false tooth was likely inserted after the person’s demise.
• 2,000 Years Ago – Across numerous civilizations, people utilized animal teeth and human teeth, often from slaves or poor individuals, to replace their missing teeth.

Innovations in the 18th and 19th Centuries

Significant advancements in implant dentistry took place during the 1700s and 1800s. Dentists and doctors began experimenting with gold and other metal alloys to provide support for false teeth. Unfortunately, these early attempts were often unsuccessful as the body frequently rejected the implants. It took time to discover the proper alloy that would harmonize with the human body.

Dental Implants in the Early 20th Century

In the 1930s and 1940s, doctors began utilizing orthopedic screws to secure false teeth in place. They employed a special spiral post design to promote bone growth around these early implants, providing stability and anchoring.

1952: The Discoveries of Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark

In 1952, while studying blood flow in rabbits, Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark made a remarkable discovery. He found that the bones of the rabbits had fused to the titanium chambers he had placed in his research. This accidental discovery led to the concept of osseointegration – the fusion of an implant with existing bone structure. Finally, a material that would not be rejected by the body and could effectively anchor dental implants through fusion with the bone tissue was found.

1965: Dr. Branemark Places the First Dental Implant

After years of further research, Dr. Branemark successfully placed the first two-stage titanium dental implant in a live patient. This pioneering implant took six months to fully integrate with the bone tissue and astonishingly lasted for 40 years. The modern dental implant, as we know it today, was born.

Innovations in the Second Half of the 20th Century

Since Dr. Branemark’s groundbreaking discovery, advancements in implant dentistry have continued to flourish. New implant shapes have been developed to ensure optimal stability, and oral surgery techniques have been refined to enhance patient recovery and increase the overall stability of dental implants.

If you want to learn more about dental implants and explore your options for treating tooth loss and missing teeth, don’t hesitate to reach out to our experts at Harmony Dental Care Center. Our dedicated team looks forward to providing you with detailed information and guiding you towards a confident smile.