History of Dental Implants
Fountain Valley, CA
 Dental implants are a fantastic option in dentistry today, but it is not a new science, it is a perfected science from observed ancient attempts. The dental implants today come with an extremely high rate of success, some of that is medical knowledge of technique and using biocompatible components, and some of that is utilizing our body's own natural ability to heal. At Bijan Family Dental Practice, we have taken more than half a century of research and applied it to providing our patients with a firm implanted root that has a long history of proven success. We can help you have a healthier smile with restored teeth that look and feel natural.
The history of dental implants dates back to ancient times across multiple cultures and locations. It has been observed in multiple ancient peoples. Scientists would dig up ancient peoples with evidence of attempts at inserting ancient false teeth into the jawbone. They observed ancient people with pieces of shell, bamboo, metal and rock forced into the jaw as false teeth. These ancient practices may not have been ideal in the sense of infection rates, but what scientists observed in the healing was shocking. They witnessed signs of the jawbone actually healing and growing up and around these implements. Our bones naturally continue to grow. We call this healing process osseointegration and we now understand how to use it correctly.
In the early 20th century, scientists took these observations and studied how to manipulate this natural healing to work to our advantage. Healing bone is not just beneficial for our teeth, but for our entire skeletal frame. They researched materials, design, and how long healing would take. Soft tissue heals much faster than bone. By the 1960’s a good concept for dental implants began to be used. They were made with titanium which is a biocompatible material that is strong but lightweight. The body was found to respond well to the titanium piece and naturally heal around it fusing the two firmly together. We elevated this hold by adding a threaded end to increase surface area for the bone to grow around. The results have been significantly positive.
With time, changes have been made to continue to make improvements. This includes changes in the preparatory steps to surgically place the implant. Adding the material of a non-metal ceramic option for patients with metal sensitivities and then creating dental implants in various lengths and widths for different needs.
The results have been a highly successful restoration option for patients who have lost teeth. In fact, dental implants have the highest rate of success of any other dental restoration, with many patients keeping their implants after twenty years. We recommend that you learn more about dental implants and how they can help you replace missing teeth. Implant retained dentures have changed the world of dentures providing our patients with a treatment option that allows them to have teeth that look and feel as natural as their own.
For more information, contact our Fountain Valley office at (714) 421-4494.
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