Dental Implants: History and Evolution

Missing teeth leave unsightly gaps in your grin and make you susceptible to a range of dental health issues, though there are several tooth replacement options available, dental implants are one of the most popular ones. This is because they are the only one that also replaces the tooth roots, which prevents jawbone deterioration and makes them incredibly durable. Dental implants have changed a lot over time. Read on to learn about the history of implants and how they’ve evolved.

Ancient Dental Implants

In China around 600 A.D. was when the first dental implants were crafted. They were made out of bamboo that was carved into pegs. Egyptians used precious metals to make pegs in 1000 B.C. This is considered to be the first time in recorded history that dental implants were made from these materials.

Archeologists also discovered rare gems like jade as well as ivory that were fashioned into pegs. Bits of seashells and small carved stones were also found in the mouths of ancient Mayans. As it turns out, some of them had even started to fuse with the bone.

Developments in Dental Implants

European scientists tried to use silver, porcelain, and blends of gold and other metal alloys to make implants from the 1500s to the 1800s. They also made tubes out of a hard, brittle, silvery-white metal called iridium. Underprivileged people as well as deceased individuals also had their teeth extracted during this time, which were then transplanted into the mouths of the wealthy.

Dental Implants in the 20^th Century

The 1900s was an important time for dental implants since significant improvements were made. In 1913, Dr. EJ Greenfield replaced teeth with an iridio-platinum cylinder. It was soldered with gold. Brothers and doctors Moses and Alvin Strock later experimented with Vitallium orthopedic screw fixtures in the 1930s. They implanted these screws into both dog and human mouths. They are often considered to be the first to successfully place implants.

Modern Dental Implants

In 1938, Dr. P.B. Adams patented an implant that featured a healing cap. It was meant to encourage tissue repair. The implant also featured a smooth gingival (gum) collar as well as both internal and external threading. In the 1940s, Dr. F. Zepponi and Dr. Manlio Formiggini developed a dental implant with a stainless-steel spiral. This let the jawbone grow into the metal for extra stability. A Spanish doctor named Perron Andres later modified Zepponi and Formiggini’s design to feature a solid shaft.

In 1952, an orthopedic surgeon discovered that bone fuses to titanium. This led to the belief that titanium could be the ideal choice for implants. The first titanium implant was later placed in 1965. In the 1970s, the version of the dental implant that we are familiar with today started to gain traction.

Implants have changed quite a bit over time. If you’re interested in having them placed, contact your dentist today!

About the Practice

Dr. Jayme Martinez is the skilled dentist who leads the Dallas team at Kessler Park Dental. They are proud to treat patients in the DFW area with the quality care they deserve. If you are missing one or more teeth and want to have them replaced, they offer lifelike, long-lasting dental implants that can do just that. Visit Kessler Park Dental’s website or call their office at (214) 303-9969 if you want more information on dental implants or if you’re interested in scheduling an initial consultation.