After several studies plus collection of proofs, it has been proven that the Mayan Civilization has started the employment of dental implants or endosseous implants way back 1,350 years ago. In 1931, archeologists discovered a part of a Mayan mandible while digging up Mayan burial locations in Honduras. The Mayan mandible was believed to have originated from 600 AD, of a woman, more likely in her twenties, and had 3 tooth-shaped bits of shell located in the sockets of her 3 missing lower incisors. For about 40 years, archeologists strongly believed that the shells were placed subsequent to death; a manner or observation similar to the ancient Egyptians. But in 1970, Professor Amadeo Bobbio, a Brazilian dental expert, thoroughly studied the said mandibular specimen and carried out several radiographs. He indicated compact bone formation just about 2 of the implants, leading Bobbio to conclude that implants were sited during life.
Further Experiments
Further researches were performed at Cambridge University during the 1950’s. Researchers were able to devise a method in creating a chamber or compartment of titanium. The said chamber was then implanted into the soft tissues of rabbits’ ears. In 1952, a Swedish orthopaedic surgeon was concerned in the study of the healing and regeneration of bone. For more extensive research, the surgeon implemented the ‘rabbit ear chamber’ which was initially designed in Cambridge, to experiment in the rabbit’s femur. After several months of thorough study, he tried to recover the said chambers from the rabbit, only to find out that he can no longer retrieve them. In fact, bone had grown near the titanium, which effectively remained to the metal. Additional studies were carried out regarding this phenomenon, making use of not only animal, but also human subjects. All the subsequent experiments verified the distinct property of titanium.
Father of Modern Implant Dentistry
In 1952, Dr. Leonard Linkow planted his very first dental implant several months after he marked off from dental school. Dr. Linkow placed more than 19,000 implants by 1992; he stopped counting by then. In 2002, he left private practice, putting down loads of work and masterpieces including 36 patents and 12 books. Since then, a lot of implant dentists regarded Dr. Linkow as the foremost father of the modern-day implant dentistry.
Prior Publication
Stefano Melchiade Tramonte, an Italian doctor conducted various studies and researches, and then fully understood the usage of titanium in dental restorations. He designed a titanium screw in order to support his very own dental prosthesis. In 1959, he began to use titanium screw on his patients right in his own clinic. Certainly, the excellent outcome of Tramonte’s clinical studies was published.
Beginning of Gigantic Developments
Per-Ingvar Brånemark laboriously created and published several studies on the usage of titanium in the field of dental implantology. In 1978, he established a joint venture with Bofors AB, the Swedish company. The commercial partnership was geared towards the development as well as the marketing of Brånemark’s dental implants. Later on, Bofors became Nobel Industries as the umbrella company of Nobelpharma AB. The latter was also renamed into Nobel Biocare in 1981 to focus mainly on dental implantology.
Recent Times
Through the decades until the present time, there were about 7 million implants of the Brånemark System placed in millions of patients. Today, there are also hundreds of companies that manufacture dental implants all over the world. In fact, the most efficient and highly recommended experts in dental implantology include a set of dentist in Honolulu, HI.
About The Author
After understanding the comprehensive history of dental implants, Melissa Cameron eventually understood its relevance and usage not only for her personal oral care, but also for her family and friends. With this in mind, her best friend from Hawaii searched for a professional assistance regarding the matter, and she finally found a cosmetic dentist in Honolulu, HI.