Are you seeking a reliable and lifelike solution to replace one or more missing adult teeth? Many experts consider dental implants the ideal solution because of their unique placement in your jaw. Unlike dentures and bridges, they fuse to the bone, becoming a permanent, resilient part of your smile.
Today, this procedure has an incredibly high success rate of over 90%, but procuring replacement teeth hasn’t always been as safe or comfortable as it is today. Continue reading to learn more about how dental implants have evolved to benefit you!
How Long Have People Been Replacing Missing Teeth?
It’s easy to think of dental implants as a product of modern dentistry, but the truth is that humans have been replacing damaged or dislodged teeth for thousands of years. For example, around the year 1000 B.C., Egyptians carved precious metals or made pegs from valuable materials, like ivory or jade.
Not only that, but fragments of seashells and carved gemstones in the jaws of ancient Mayans date back to about 600 A.D. There’s also a record of bamboo pegs being used as artificial teeth in China from around the same period. That means ancient humans struggled to accept the changes to their smile’s appearance and functionality caused by missing teeth, just like people do today.
How Have Dental Materials Improved?
It’s believed that initial attempts to replace teeth were primarily cosmetic because the human body would have rejected the materials. New materials were necessary, but there weren’t major advancements in this regard until the early modern period, between the years 1500 and 1800.
During this time, scientists experimented with various metals, such as silver and gold, as well as porcelain, to fabricate dental implants with very little success. Then, in the 1950s, a Swedish physician, Dr. Per-Ingvar Brånemark, was studying bone regeneration in a rabbit when he discovered that a titanium leg implant had fused with the hare’s bone. He began practicing with titanium implants in humans in the 1960s, though his research wasn’t widely accepted until the 1980s.
What Are Contemporary Dental Implants Made From?
Thanks to ongoing improvements in dental technology and materials, today, dental implants are more comfortable and lifelike than ever before. They’re made from resilient, biocompatible materials and are customized to look and feel like the teeth that went missing.
Not only can they enhance your appearance, but these replacement teeth also restore up to 80% or more of your original bite force, which is more than dentures or dental bridges. Plus, they’re less prone to injuries like chips and cracks, and can remain firmly in place for 20 or more years if cared for correctly.
As you can see, there are many excellent reasons to consider choosing dental implants to rebuild your grin after tooth loss!
About the Practice
At Quiet Corner Dental, you and your family benefit from a team of dentists dedicated to helping enhance your life by improving your dental condition. Our providers collaborate to deliver a comprehensive menu of services, including dental implants. We collaborate with local experts for accurate surgical placement, then provide lifelike restorations made from beautiful materials customized to resemble your natural enamel. You can request an appointment on the website or call (860) 928-3723.