Would you believe that dental implants used to be made out of things like bamboo pegs and precious gems? It’s true! Like most things, dental implants didn’t start out as the rock-star treatment they are today. It took centuries of advancements in dental materials, technology, and scientific research for them to finally be called “the gold-standard of tooth replacements.” Here’s how they’ve evolved to benefit you!
Biocompatible Materials
What really kick-started dental implants’ status as a reliable and incredibly successful restoration was Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark’s discovery in the 1950’s. Up to this point, silver and gold amalgams were the primary material of choice, and would inevitably be rejected by the body. Even further back, ancient civilizations used creative resources like bamboo, seashells, and animal bones – none of which could produce long-term results.
While conducting research on a rabbit femur, Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark found that a medical device made of titanium had completely fused with the bone, to the point where the two materials were completely inseparable. He soon realized that titanium is biocompatible, and will be readily accepted by the body. Today, titanium is still the best option out there for devices that rely on osseointegration – including dental implants.
Advanced Technology
In order for the titanium post that dental implants are so well-known for to effectively keep a restoration in-place, it has to be able to make contact with the patient’s jawbone. As you might imagine, surgically placing an implant along a bone hidden underneath several layers of skin takes a lot of skill. Making the process even more complicated is the fact that not everyone has the same facial anatomy!
Thanks to the development of CBCT scanners, your implant dentist can get an incredibly detailed look at your oral structure before the first incision. These advanced imaging devices can produce a precise 3D render of your entire jaw, and as a direct result, dental implant placement accuracy has never been better!
Better Understanding of Oral Health
You might remember from history and biology classes that people’s understanding of health and the human body was somewhat limited. To be fair, doctors in the middle-ages didn’t exactly have easy access to research notes, documented results, and X-rays. Modern physicians still owe the scientists of the past some credit!
But all of this illustrates just how far things have come. More and more research shows an undeniable link between oral health and other systemic issues such as heart disease. With this in mind, implant dentists are able to use their patients’ health history in order to better personalize their treatment plans for success. They now know, for example, that smoking habits and gum disease can significantly increase your chance of dental implant failure – and that managing these risk factors can help you enjoy your restoration for years to come!
Today, dental implants have a 95% success rate, and most of that is due to all of the work that went into understanding human biology and developing better technology. So when you receive your dental implants, know that you’re getting the best that several decades of advancements have to offer!
About the Practice
Drs. Julia and Brandon White are a dynamic wife-and-husband duo who have been helping patients smile for over 10 years. Both are dedicated to providing their patients with the best treatment experience possible, which is why they partner with local specialists for dental implant surgery. Rest assured, Dr. Julia and Dr. Brandon will do everything possible to help ensure your dental implant restoration is a success! To contact their office for a consultation, call 540-587-5707.