How Have Dental Implants Changed Over the Years?

If you’re suffering from tooth loss, you may be weighing your options as to how you plan to replace your missing teeth. If you are considering dental implants, you likely have many questions about the process, cost, and longevity. You may also be interested in learning how they’ve evolved into the superior and beneficial tooth replacement solutions of today. In this article, a local dentist shares the history of dental implants and why they are the right option to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.

Dental Implants: How They’ve Evolved

While it may be hard to imagine a dental implant being made of anything other than titanium, the truth is that early civilizations used seashell fragments and carved stone to replace missing teeth. In fact, ancient Mayans in 600 A.D. were using these materials to “fuse” with their jawbones as a way to resolve tooth loss.

Since that time, dental implants have morphed into a prosthetic that looks similar to what you might see today. In the 1950s, a Swedish orthopedic surgeon used titanium in the leg bone of a rabbit. After realizing he could not remove it, it was then viewed as an ideal material to be used for dental implants because of its ability to fuse with the bone. Hence, the term “osseointegration” was born.

Of course, advancements in dentistry have allowed dental implants to become even more refined. Once created to be smooth, professionals realized this design did not allow for optimal fusing. As a result, the implant post was roughened, which made it possible for the “tooth root” to cover more surface area and better bond with the bone and surrounding tissues.

The Dental Implants of Today

When visiting your dentist today for an initial consultation, you will find that implants look similar to a screw, complete with a threaded appearance. While they can now be made using different materials (i.e., titanium, ceramic), the changes that are most prominent today do not involve the actual implant but instead the method of placement.

Oral surgeons and dentists are now looking for ways to insert these superior tooth replacement solutions quicker, allowing patients to begin enjoying their new smiles much sooner. While many offices require individuals to undergo a recovery process of 3-6 months after implant placement, others make it possible for patients to leave the same day as their oral surgery with a new crown, bridge, or denture. Not only does this allow an individual to immediately see the difference in their appearance, but they can begin to enjoy the functionality and aesthetics of their new smile right away.

Also, professionals are now using advanced technologies and equipment to more accurately plan and place dental implants, which reduces the potential for complications. The I-Cat CT/Cone Beam Scanner makes it possible to capture a complete 3D model of a patient’s facial structure, allowing the dentist to map out the placement of each dental implant long before the day of surgery. In addition, CEREC technology makes it possible to create customized restorations in-house, reducing the wait time for patients to receive their new and improved smiles.

When you consider how dental implants have changed since the early days of the Mayan civilization, it’s easy to see why more and more people are choosing them to restore their smiles. Offering improved oral health, greater functionality, permanence, and the ability to last a lifetime, more than 500,000 are placed each year. Why not join the 3 million individuals who are living with these permanent prosthetics today?

About the Author
Dr. Corey Martinez completed his doctorate at the Indiana University School of Dentistry where he became fascinated with endodontics and oral surgery. Offering patients suffering from tooth loss a chance for a new and improved smile, he and the team at Martinez Dentistry provide dental implants, which are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement. Instead of referring individuals to an outside specialist, Dr. Martinez is capable of performing the entire implant placement and restoration in-house, allowing for a more convenient and enjoyable experience. If you are looking to restore your smile with dental implants, contact us at (765) 724-7729 today!