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Dental implant history
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 The use of dental implants dates back further than you might imagine. It is believed that the Mayans placed the first dental implant more than 1300 years ago. They used seashells to restore missing teeth in a woman. Archaeological evidence has also been found demonstrating that Egyptians also used seashells as well as ivory to replace missing teeth.
Modern dental implants can trace their origin to 1952 and a chance discovery by Swedish Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark. During an animal study, Prof. Brånemark screwed a titanium cylinder into the thighbone of a rabbit. When he tried to remove the cylinder at the end of the study he found that bone had actually fused into the titanium. He called this bone-to-titanium fusion "osseointegration." Realizing the broad implications of his discovery, he began focusing on how osseointegration could benefit humans.
During his research, Prof. Brånemark discovered that titanium, under carefully controlled conditions, would structurally integrate into the jawbone, allowing it to be used as anchors for artificial teeth, functioning similarly to natural teeth roots.
In 1965, Mr. Gösta Larsson became the first human recipient of titanium dental implants. Using a very cautious method to ensure the greatest possible degree of respect to living bone tissue, Prof. Brånemark inserted a set of titanium implants that Mr. Larsson would have function for the rest of his life.
Nobel Biocare was founded upon the discoveries and research of Dr. Brånemark, and has maintained its position as the world leader in dental implant research, documentation and solutions. |
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