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History of Dental Implants

shutterstock_100424281As one of the most desired cosmetic dentistry procedures in dentistry today, dental implants provide effective tooth restoration. Made of materials like titanium or zirconium, implants are embedded in the jawbone to provide permanent results.

Dental implants also have a nearly perfect success rate and…

While dental implants have indeed come a long way over the last few decades, the truth is that they’ve been around for thousands of years. In fact, the first known dental implants were created around 600 A.D. by the Mayan civilization. This was evidenced in 1931 after an archaeologist unearthed the mandible (jawbone) of a Mayan woman in Honduras who had seashells lodged in her jaw where her teeth should have been.

Various improvements were made as time went on, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that the most significant advancement was made. Known as “The Father” of the dental implant, Per-Ingvar Bränemark discovered the process of osseointegration. This term describes the process of fusion between bone tissue and metal (titanium). Over the coming years, Dr. Bränemark carried out various studies and eventually introduced implants to the public in 1978.

If you’re considering dental implants, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with the Art of Dentistry Institute by calling 949-955-3366 or by filling out our online contact form today. As a Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), Dr. Emil Hawary looks forward to meeting you and providing you with satisfying results.