The History of Dental Implants

h-perfectSmile4When a tooth is lost, bone where that tooth was located begins to deteriorate, affecting the surrounding teeth and potentially resulting in additional tooth loss. Dental implants are made from surgical grade Titanium, and in most cases offer a permanent solution for one or more missing teeth. Titanium is not only used for dental implants, it is also the material used for many other types of medical devices, such as knee and hip replacements. The properties of Titanium allow the human bodies bone to actually integrate into the metals surface. This process is known as “osseointegration.” This amazing discovery was made by Dr. P.I. Branemark in the mid to late 1960’s and was funded by the Nobel Research Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. Since then, millions of people have enjoyed an improved quality of life. Like many modern medical and dental technologies, dental implants have been dramatically improved over the last few decades. From the actual physical design, to the surface, these devices are more predictable than ever. This has allowed dentists to offer their patients “Immediate Function” in many cases. Immediate Function enables the patient to leave the office the day of surgery with a temporary tooth in place. In as little as eight weeks from that date, the patient can receive their final crown. Dr. Humphreys and Dr. Galloway utilizes these advancements along with “State of the Art” CT scan technology, and sophisticated surgical planning software to create an optimal patient experience.