Archaeological evidence suggests that ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and the Mayans used materials like shells and ivory to fashion rudimentary dental implants.

In the centuries that have passed since those early appliances, the materials used have improved considerably, to say the least. The implants that an oral surgeon would place today are made of titanium, which is biocompatible and able to fuse with the jawbone.

A mid-twentieth century discovery made by a Swedish scientist, Per-Ingvar Branemark, established the foundation for modern-day dental implants. In the course of an experiment examining the healing properties of bone, Branemark noticed that titanium devices fused with the bones of the animal test subjects.

This finding suggested that titanium could be a useful material for an implant intended to be a permanent replacement for the root of an absent tooth.

In the decades that followed Branemark’s initial discovery, he and his colleagues, along with other scientists and researchers, continued to refine the devices and materials. Those scientists published articles and presented research at conferences in an effort to further validate the technology.

Eventually, the implant technology was commercialized and made available to patients in the 1980s. Now, dental implants are an increasingly popular treatment for tooth loss. With their lifelike qualities and durability, dental implants are the intervention of choice for many patients in need of a tooth replacement.

At the same time, the surgical techniques used to place dental implants and the restorations (crowns, partials, etc.) that the implants anchor have improved as well. The end result is a replacement tooth with a remarkably lifelike appearance.

Dental implants have a long history over which they have been fine-tuned into the effective, long-lasting appliances in use today. They are versatile and suitable for replacing single teeth, multiple teeth or even an entire arch of missing teeth.

If you choose dental implants, rest assured that the technology has advanced over time, leading to a quality device.

Contact our offices serving the DFW area for more information.

For patients who are missing one or more natural teeth, dental implants are the solution that most closely resembles real teeth. In theory, the implant process is fairly simple: who wouldn’t want to place a great-looking replacement tooth into the spot where a natural tooth has been lost? The mechanics and science involved in making your tooth replacement a reality will need to be managed by an experienced oral surgeon.

The first step towards achieving success with dental implants begins with proper planning. The location for your new tooth must be healthy enough to support the titanium post. The bone in the area must be dense and abundant. If the quality or the quantity of the bone is determined to be less than ideal, a bone graft may be recommended.

For the best possible outcome, the implant post will need to be completely surrounded by the bone. During the healing process, the bone will grow together with the surface of the implant and form a permanent bond.

Where the bone has been determined to be inadequate, your oral surgeon can augment the area with additional bone (bone graft). With the addition of supplemental bone, the location becomes healthy enough to stabilize your implant.

A bone graft is not required for every implant procedure, but may be recommended in certain instances:

• Replacing teeth near the sinus cavity. The bone adjacent to the sinus cavity is too thin to accommodate an implant post. To prevent the artificial tooth roots from extending into the sinus, a bone graft is necessary to create a healthy barrier between the teeth and the sinus.
• Damaged or resorbed bone. When bone loss has occurred or when the bone has been damaged due to trauma, a hole or defect is likely to occur. A bone graft enables your oral surgeon to build up the height and thickness of the affected area.
• Narrow jaw bone. According to your unique anatomy, the bony ridge of the lower jaw may be too narrow to accommodate the width of the implant. A bone graft or ridge augmentation is an effective way to improve the dimensions of the proposed implant site.

To find out if a bone graft can improve your chances for implant success in the DFW area, contact the office of Drs. Steven D. Sherry and John D. Wallace today.