Dental Implants Used to Be Sea Shells
May 3, 2016
When you visit your general dentist in Warren, OH, you probably aren’t thinking about the history of dentistry, but have you ever wondered, who had the bright idea to implant fake teeth in the first place? Dentistry, like every health-based science, has a long and decorated history and you won’t believe how inventive these old school dentists got.
What Were the First Dental Implants?
If you define dental implants as simply replacement teeth, one of the first recorded instances was in 500 BCE. The Etruscans, located around Tuscany, used oxen bones to replace missing teeth. Over 1000 years later, the Mayans had a similar idea and used shaped see shells to replace mandibular teeth. Of course, if you are willing to consider implants beyond teeth replacements, dentistry goes back much further than the Etruscans.
Wait, Dentistry Goes Back Farther Than 500 BCE?
The Egyptians were some of the first dentists and they weren’t too shabby. They used gold wire as ligature supports for compromised teeth. When were they doing these procedures? These gold wire ligatures can be dated back to 2,500 BCE. Of course, the Egyptians weren’t the only ones used gold wires for teeth support. The Phoenicians had the same idea, but they did it 2,000 years later in 500 BCE.
Get Ready for the Modern Marvel
The 1900s was a busy time for dentistry as new implants and patients were just about a dime a dozen. However, the All-on-4 implants of 1998 still have the dental community captivated. The procedure is a boon for dentists and patients alike because it requires far less implants over all. This means faster procedures for the dentists and quick recovery periods for patients. It wouldn’t have been possible though without the first brave experimenters from millennial past.
Get Your Appointment Today
To understand what modern dentistry can do for you, call Dr. Joseph D. Bedich and our professional staff at 330.637.7971.