Today’s Leading Tooth Replacement Procedure

Who came up with the idea for dental implants?

Archeologists have discovered ancient civilizations where bamboo and then precious metal pegs were seemingly tapped into the jaw bone where teeth were missing. Ouch!

Fast forward to the early part of the 20^th century, where, in the 1930s, Drs. Alvin and Moses Strock are attributed to having experimented with the first biocompatible metal implants.

Success With Titanium Implant

In 1952, Swedish orthopedic surgeon Dr. Per-Ingvar Brånemark, during a blood flow experiment on a rabbit, noticed how well a titanium cylinder fused with the rabbit’s femur bone. He figured that this type of fusion would work in other areas of the body, and he was right. In 1965 the first titanium dental implant was successfully placed.

Today, dental implants are the leading tooth replacement procedure. Millions of dental implants have been placed, with a 97% long-term success rate with experienced dental surgeons. Patients continue to be amazed at how well they can chew and enjoy food. And the implants provide more than just  beautiful smiles —they help prevent bone loss.

Drs. Fava and Levine use the highest-grade titanium alloy and zirconia screws (Straumann® from Basel, Switzerland) which fuse with the jaw in a process called osseointegration (“osseo” = bone and “integration” = the joining with). These implants come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the teeth they are replacing. A crown, bridge or even denture is then fixed to this “abutment” (connecting element). And there you have it!

Want to see some patients discuss their dental implant experiences? Check out some of our videos. And then call today for a consultation!