How Did Dental Implants Start?
May 3, 2016
Cavities and periodontal disease have probably been around as long as teeth have. Before humans knew to brush and floss regularly, we were looking for ways to repair our damaged teeth. Have you ever wondered about the history of dental implants in Nashville, TN and around the world? It all got started in ancient times using a mixture of gold and animal bones.
BCE Dental Practices
Some of the earliest dental implants are credited to the Egyptians circa 2500 BCE. The time periods dental practitioners used gold wire ligatures to help teeth remain stable. Etruscans, an ancient civilization native to the Tuscany region, used oxen bones to replace missing teeth in 500 BCE. Around the same time period, Phoenicians were using gold wires to splint compromised teeth.
The 1700s to the 1900s
In the 1700s, J. Hunter began experimenting with tooth transplants between humans. For the next 200 years, dental practitioners used gold tubes and cylinders to act as artificial roots and in 1938, dentistry sees screw-like implants being used for the first time. In fact, the 20th century was a busy century for dentistry as doctors invented and patented many new dental implant designs. In 1998, All-on-4 treatments changed the game because they reduced the invasiveness of dental implants and improved the patient experience.
The 21st Century and Beyond
In 2005, NobelClinician and NobelGuide introduced dentistry to the first full 3D dental planning technology, allowing dental practitioners to devise patient treatment strategies with a higher degree of accuracy. Now, dental practitioners can perform guided surgeries. Recently, the FDA approved immediate function as a treatment concept.
Learn More About Dental Implants Toady
Do you have more questions about dental implants and periodontal treatment plans? Give Dr. Akin and our professional team a phone call at 866.910.1976. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and find an appointment that fits into your schedule.