You may be aware that dental implants are a state-of-the-art solution for tooth loss, but did you realize that ancient civilizations experimented with this technology, too? Groups including the Mayans, the Egyptians and the Chinese made numerous attempts to identify the ideal tooth replacement, with varying degrees of success in their results.
However, the modern dental implant placed by an oral surgeon has its roots in an accidental mid-20th century discovery by a Swedish orthopedic surgeon, Per-Ingvar Branemark, who was investigating the process by which bone heals when he noticed that a titanium cylinder inserted into bone could not be removed at a later date.
Thanks to Branemark’s discovery and the dental implant design improvements that have been made in the decades since, modern patients can now benefit from structurally complete tooth replacements that are consistent, stable and durable. The bond that forms between the jawbone and the dental implant helps the implant to function much like a biological tooth’s root does.
Therefore, appliances supported by dental implants preserve far more functionality than a conventional denture or a fixed dental bridge. When an oral surgeon places dental implants in a patient’s jaw and those implants are properly maintained, it prevents jawbone resorption that develops when the biological tooth’s root is missing. As such, the fit of an implant-supported prosthetic is much more consistent over time than a conventional appliance is.
Additionally, dental implants are more effective for chewing. The support from the surrounding bone helps dental implants to withstand fairly strong chewing forces, so many patients who choose this treatment option won’t need to cut out certain foods from their diets like those who opt for conventional prosthetics might.
If you’re considering dental implants as a treatment for tooth loss, know that decades of research and design improvements have been incorporated into the devices to make them as reliable as possible. Patients who are good candidates for dental implant placement can enjoy many benefits associated with this dental technology. To learn more about this intervention, schedule a consultation at our office today!