The Origins of Dental Implants for Patients
At the Kucey Dental Group, serving patients in Leduc, AB, and beyond, we believe it’s important for our patients to be informed. Dental implants have a long and interesting history, and we invite you to learn more about it below. You can also contact us with questions, or to schedule an appointment: 780-468-7270.
A Dental Pandemic
If edentulism were an infectious disease, it would be classified as a pandemic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), somewhere between 6 and 10% of the world’s population is toothless, which is a tragic problem for people suffering such loss.[1] The loss of teeth is painful in a number of different ways, as one is deprived of appearance, function, and self-esteem. Bone resorption leads to facial changes, accelerated superficial signs of aging, speech and masticatory difficulty.
Origins of Dental Implants
Today’s dental implants were first developed in Sweden in 1952 by Professor P.I. Branemark, who had a lucky accident. Much to his surprise, Dr. Branemark discovered that it was impossible to recover any of the bone-anchored titanium devices used in his research. The titanium had apparently bonded irreversibly to living bone tissue, an observation previously contradicted in science. Dr. Branemark continued his research and, under carefully controlled conditions, found titanium could be structurally integrated into living bone with a high degree of predictability and without tissue irritation or fixture rejection. He named this discovery “osseointegration.” In 1965, clinical trials began using titanium roots in a completely edentulous patient. Later, the technique has been added to single and multiple tooth replacement as well as many uses in conventional medicine.
Modern Implants
A prosthesis held solidly by dental implants not only provides the comfort and security missing with removable dentures, but it also preserves bone. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then what is the value of a healthy smile? For many people suffering with edentulism, getting their smile back is priceless. Now, some 50 years later, Dr. Branemark has concluded that implants, not dentures, are the answer! There is no need to be edentulous. We can help our patients receive and maintain their “third dentition.”
Will it Hurt?
Just as with any surgery, there can be some discomfort. Local anesthesia and oral sedation are used to provide comfort during the procedure.
1. Love, F. (2012, February 28). Dentures are not the answer. Retrieved February 8, 2016