The Evolution of Dental Implants: From Past to Present

At Decker Dental, we take pride in maintaining our practice at the forefront of dentistry, offering the latest technological advancements and best treatment techniques. To truly understand the value of the dental treatments available today, it can be helpful to look back on the history of the modern treatments we use today, like dental implants. 

The History of Dental Implants

Ancient Implants History

Even our early ancestors recognized the importance of a complete smile, with archaeological evidence of "dental implants" going back several thousands of years. Some specific, notable examples of ancient dental implants include:

• In China, circa 2,000 B.C., people used bamboo pegs to fill in gaps caused by missing teeth. 
• The mummy of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh who would have been alive around 1,000 B.C. was found with a copper replacement tooth hammered into the jawbone. It's unclear whether the copper tooth was inserted before or after the pharaoh's death. 
• An individual exhumed from a Celtic grave in France from around 300 B.C. had a false iron tooth hammered into the jawbone.

Countless occurrences of replacement teeth being used have been found from the period around 1,000 B.C. when it seemed to be common practice for people to use extracted animal and human teeth as replacements. 

More Recent Innovations in Dental Implants

Millennia down the road, more significant advances in science, medicine, and dentistry began to occur in the 18th century as researchers started experimenting with different metals and alloys to construct dental implants. In 1866, another doctor attempted to mount a porcelain restoration on a platinum disc.

Unfortunately, these attempts were largely unsuccessful due to the patients' bodies rejecting the metal implants. In order for a dental implant to stay in place long-term, the jawbone and the implant must fuse through osseointegration. 

Dental Implant Discoveries of the 20th Century

In the early 20th century, dentists began experimenting with different materials and designs, until the orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark, accidentally discovered osseointegration while studying blood flow in rabbits. During his research, he observed that, instead of rejecting a foreign body, the bones of the rabbits had fused to implanted titanium chambers that were a part of his study. 

In 1965, Dr. Branemark successfully placed the first titanium dental implant in a volunteer human patient. This first successful implant eventually evolved into a titanium alloy screw that offers a highly secure bond with the jawbone. 

Dental Implants Today and Tomorrow

Today, dental implants are still made of titanium, and there are additional materials that can be used for patients with metal allergies, such as zirconia. Additionally, modern dental implants come in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and designs that offer individualized treatment, ensuring that every patient enjoys strong osseointegration and successful treatment outcomes. 

In addition to advancements in dental implants themselves, modern dentistry offers implant placement with a routine surgical procedure, highly effective anesthetics for a pain-free process, and sedation dentistry services that help patients relax during their dental implant appointments. 

Implant-supported dental restorations are stronger and more natural-looking than ever before. They are 100% custom-designed, using digital scanning and computer-aided design and manufacturing technology. Made of materials like medical-quality porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, and zirconia, dental restorations offer a natural look and are designed to last a lifetime. 

As research in the field continues, promising advancements will be made in dental implant treatment technology with better materials, superior biocompatibility, and more advanced surgical techniques. Perhaps, someday, patients will even enjoy the reality of regenerative medicine. 

Advanced Smile Restoration With Dental Implants in Enumclaw

Dentistry has come a long way since ancient civilization. Today, dental implants look, feel, and work just like natural teeth. Plus, they offer an array of versatile treatment options, with the ability to replace one, several, or all of a patient's teeth when paired with dental crowns, bridges, or dentures. So, if you're living with an incomplete smile, there's no reason to let your quality of life suffer when you could become a part of modern dental history!

We encourage you to talk with our experienced dental care team and Dr. Decker to find out if smile restoration with dental implants is right for you. To learn more about dental implants or request a consultation with our dentist in Enumclaw, we welcome you to contact us today.