For those who are considering dental implants for tooth replacement, they may be surprised that modern implants have been around for decades. And, even more interesting, primitive forms of dental implants have been discovered dating back to early civilizations.
Archeologists have found ancient skulls with cast iron and carved shells in the place of removed teeth. Although their methods and materials were primitive, these first attempts at dental implantation successfully show implants bonded with the jaw bone, referred to as osseo-integration. This process is what prevents the jaw from shrinking, or ‘resorbing,’ when tooth roots no longer exist to stimulate the bone.
In the 1970’s, a lightweight material developed by NASA called Titanium was found to be bio-compatible, meaning it would not be rejected by the body. From then on, dental implants were made from Titanium and have the highest success rate of any implanted surgical device.
Today, there are many shapes and sizes of dental implants to accommodate various needs. The type that is best for you should be selected by a Doctor who is experienced in placing all types so they are able to choose the best one for your specific needs.
