Modern implants stand out as one of the most significant dental advancements of the past half century. Offering a safe and permanent tooth replacement solution that closely mimics the aesthetics and function of natural teeth, they’ve helped millions of patients around the globe improve their oral health, preserve their jaw structure, and regain the ability to chew, speak, and smile with confidence.
Dental implants have emerged as the gold standard for tooth replacement in recent decades, but this wasn’t always the case. In fact, implantology as we know it today is a relatively recent—and still evolving—field. In this post, we’ve taken a look at the development of dental implant technology throughout history and explored how modern advancements are revolutionizing the precision, durability, comfort, and aesthetics of full mouth dental implants.
Ready to learn more and discover the life-changing benefits of same-day implants hand-crafted to be indistinguishable from your natural smile? Contact us at Doctors Implants to book a free consultation today!
How Have Implant Materials Changed With New Dental Technology?
Today, patients considering full mouth dental implants have access to state-of-the-art materials, techniques, and technology, but this wasn’t always the case. Let’s take a brief look at the evolution of dental implant materials over time:
Primitive Forms Of Tooth Replacement
Archaeological records reveal that the concept of dental implants is rooted in ancient history. Well before the modern era, humans from widespread regions of the globe were replacing missing teeth with a variety of found materials:
- As early as 2,000 B.C., carved bamboo pegs were used as prosthetic teeth in ancient China.
- Ancient Egyptian metal implants have been found dating back to 1,000 B.C.
- Some ancient Mayans embedded seashells and carved stones into their jaws as early as 600 A.D.
- The skull of a woman with an iron implant was discovered in a French grave dating back 2,300 years.
- Other ancient implant materials included extracted human or animal teeth, jade, and other precious gems and metals.
Historically, major barriers such as lack of access to anesthetics, sterile environments, and biocompatible materials limited the prevalence and success of dental implants in the general population.
Titanium Dental Implants
In the 1950s, Swedish physician Per-Ingvar Brånemark found that titanium fuses to living bone in a process known as osseointegration. This groundbreaking discovery revolutionized the field of rehabilitation and paved the way forward for modern implant dentistry as we know it today. The first titanium implant was placed in 1965, eventually leading to the FDA’s approval of titanium dental implants in 1982. Since then, millions of implant procedures have been performed using high-grade titanium screws prized for their strength, durability, corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, and ability to permanently fuse with the jawbone.
Zirconia Dental Implants
Since their FDA approval in 2011, implants made from zirconia, a ceramic primarily composed of zirconium dioxide, have emerged as another popular tooth replacement option. Like titanium, zirconia is biocompatible and exceptionally durable, though often more expensive than titanium. A 2023 research review concluded that zirconia implants have a high cumulative survival rate (CSR) and short-term low marginal bone loss (MBL) after placement.
How Has The Dental Implant Procedure Changed?
Primitive techniques notwithstanding, dental implant procedures have evolved significantly over the past decades—and even over the past few years. Groundbreaking technological advances are redefining the processes associated with full mouth dental implant placement, continually improving accuracy, reducing surgical times, and enhancing patient outcomes overall. In addition, there are plenty more advances in implant procedures and technology on the horizon. Let’s take a closer look:
Digital Dentistry And Precise Implant Placement
In the past, implant specialists took manual impressions and placed implants entirely by hand, essentially eyeballing the entry point and angles. Today, digital dentistry tools provide an infinitely greater degree of precision.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans enable 3D imaging of the jawbone and surrounding soft tissues, allowing for exceptional accuracy in the design of implants custom-tailored to the structure of each patient’s face. During surgery, digital guidance both reduces time under anesthesia and ensures the optimal placement, angulation, and depth of dental implants.
At Doctors Implants, our world-class restorative doctors and oral and maxillofacial surgeons are committed to incorporating cutting-edge technology and techniques into our full mouth implant treatment services. Contact us today to learn more about how we maximize patient safety and comfort as well as functional and aesthetic outcomes in our ultramodern clinic environment.
Modern Regenerative Techniques To Speed Up Healing
Regenerative techniques harness the body’s natural ability to repair damaged tissues. Post-implant surgery, the following may be helpful in promoting healing and reducing the recovery timeframe:
- Platelets-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy – Concentrated platelets derived from the patient’s own blood are injected near the implant site to reduce inflammation, promote tissue integration, and accelerate healing.
- Stem Cell Therapy – Like platelet-rich plasma, stem cells harvested from the patient’s own body can accelerate healing times and promote tissue integration and regeneration.
- Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) – BMPs can be applied directly to the surgical site to stimulate bone growth and promote healing.
Future Dental Implant Advancements
What does the future hold for dental implants? Advancements in implant materials, digital solutions, and regenerative medicine are ongoing, and new implant technologies are emerging and being approved all the time. Over the coming years, implant patients can reasonably expect:
- More customization in implant treatments
- Smart dental implants with sensors to monitor integration and tissue health
- More implant solutions that incorporate nanotechnology to improve biocompatibility, strength, and osseointegration
- More bioactive implant materials and coatings to promote faster healing
Conclusion
In conclusion, the field of implantology has come a tremendous way since its origins thousands of years ago. Dental implant technology is rapidly evolving, and at Doctors Implants, our passionate implant specialists are dedicated to staying abreast of each new advancement as it emerges.Seeking full mouth dental implants in San Antonio, TX, Charleston, SC, Oklahoma City, OK, New Braunfels, TX, Wichita Falls, TX, or Dallas, TX? At Doctors Implants, precision, comfort, and lifelong durability come together in one transformative experience. Get in touch today to schedule your free consultation and get started!