Dental Implants Then and Today
Our team at Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons in Vancouver, WA, uses the most advanced tools and surgical techniques available to place dental implants. Many people today are drawn to the idea of a permanent, non-removable tooth replacement, but what did people in the past do to replace their missing teeth?
Dental implants may be considered a recent innovation when it comes to tooth replacement, but early forms of dental implants existed thousands of years ago. Taking a look back at the history of dental implants is a fun and interesting way to see the development of surgical technologies over time.
Implants of the Past
Archeologists have found evidence of dental implant use in many ancient cultures. Some researchers found bamboo dental implants in ancient Chinese remains from over 4,000 years ago. Egyptian sites that are over 2,000 years old revealed similar dental implants made from precious metals, and other ancient cultures have used pieces of shells and other materials to replace missing teeth. Prostheses that more closely resemble modern dental implants started being developed in the early 1900s, but the implants of today have come a long way since then.
Dental Implants Today
Today, dental implants are made of medical-grade titanium because of the metal’s biocompatible properties. Titanium is an ideal metal for dental surgeries because it fuses with bone, creating a natural, secure, and lasting hold. Additionally, new surgical techniques have greatly improved bone regeneration and healing times. Today’s dental implants have a success rate of over 98%, and they can last much longer than past designs of dental implants.
Advances in sedation dentistry also make the entire surgery easier for patients — most patients undergo IV anesthesia during dental implant procedures, allowing them to sleep throughout the procedure and wake up once it’s over.
Today’s dental implants usually consist of three parts:
- The implant itself (the titanium post) acts as your new tooth’s root. It will be inserted into the jaw by your oral surgeon.
- An abutment piece will be attached to the top of the implant. Abutments are connector pieces to anchor your new replacement teeth.
- The crown, or multi-tooth prosthesis, is custom designed by your dentist to look just like a natural tooth. Your implants can support a single tooth crown to replace one tooth or a multi-tooth prosthesis to replace multiple teeth.
Dental Implants in Vancouver, WA
The dental implants we use at Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons are very different from those used by the ancients, but there is one thing our ancestors had right — they understood how important it is to replace your missing teeth. If you are looking for a reliable, permanent way to replace your missing or failing teeth, implants may be right for you. Our oral surgeons use advanced surgical techniques to place dental implants from our office in Vancouver, WA. Contact one of our offices today to learn more about your tooth replacement options. One of our staff members will be happy to help you.