The History of Dental Implants

Dentures and other types of more permanent dental devices are very common today, but that wasn't always the case. Like any other type of medical device, they had to get their start somewhere. Most people remember the story of George Washington and his allegedly wooden teeth, but that's all they know about where dental devices came from. There is, however, much more than a set of dentures to the development of dental implants, as implants are more permanent fixtures in the mouth.

History

Most people mistake dentures for dental implants, and while the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, it's not technically correct. Dental implants are designed to be permanently in the mouth--like crowns and replacement teeth. Dentures are not considered permanent, since they can be removed and replaced at will. Dental implants began in 1952 in the town of Lund, Sweden. A scientist discovered that titanium, which he had anchored to bone, fused to it so solidly that it could not be removed. That was against the scientific theory at the time, but it aroused his curiosity.

Significance

The scientist, Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark, studied it further and found that titanium, under conditions that were carefully controlled, could be bonded with living human bone. There was no long-term inflammation of the soft tissue surrounding it, and there was no rejection of the titanium by the body. In 1965 this theory was completely tested when Dr. Branemark used titanium ''roots'' to implant permanent teeth into a patient's mouth. These teeth remained, without any problems, for upward of thirty years.

Types

As the history and development of dental implants progressed, there were more options presented to patients who needed these devices, and the method for implanting them and reducing pain during the process also improved. Today, dental implants have progressed to the point that they can take the place of a natural root for a crown, a bridge or an overdenture. In other words, one tooth can be replaced in this manner, or many teeth can be replaced this way. This method can take the place of standard dentures for some patients.

Time Frame

From the first patient in 1965 until now, dental implants have progressed quickly. The time it takes to receive these implants has also been reduced. Naturally, when these were first created implanting them took a long time and was very difficult because it was a new procedure and involved trial and error to some degree. Now, though, it still takes time because--in most cases--the bone must heal around the titanium ''root'' before the teeth can be attached. The total process is usually between four and nine months, because every person heals differently. There is also a ''teeth in a day'' treatment option that can provide fixed teeth on the first day of treatment, but this is not for everyone.

Misconceptions

A common misconception is that dental implants are dentures, but dentures are removed for cleaning, and many people take theirs out to sleep at night as well. Dental implants are called that because they are implanted into the mouth--and into the jawbone. They cannot be removed like dentures and become a permanent part of the structure of the mouth. They can, however, provide a long-term solution to the problem of tooth loss when properly maintained.