The Accidental Discovery Of Titanium Dental Implants
Knowing the history behind the discovery is always exciting; titanium dental implants are certainly no different. This invention changed the course of dental health and technology in a way that almost could never have been imagined. Dr. Per-Ingvar Brånemark happened upon this new technology on mere accident when trying to conduct other research. Here is his story and how his invention continues to shape dentistry today!
Who Is Dr. Per-Ingvar Brånemark?
Born on the 3rd of May, 1929, Dr. Brånemark was a Swedish physician for most of his career. When he was first in school, Dr. Brånemark has studied at Lund University receiving a degree in Anatomy. Following this, he would take a job at Gothenburg University where he would conduct research on osseointegration. Osseointegration is medical speak for putting a non-natural material and fusing it with bone.
Titanium Implant Research
Originally, he started by placing titanium-encased optical devices in the lower legs of rabbits in order to study the healing process. What has been discovered in his original study was that this titanium material could be tolerated for the long term. Whilst this had proven successful once, he would re-conduct the tests multiple times with students in order to guarantee the safety of using titanium for implant devices.
Once it came time for human tests, Dr. Brånemark thought the best place to start would be with teeth. This was thought because teeth were a smaller area of the body with other known ways to help set false teeth in case the experiment failed. Despite his best efforts and proof that implants had been successful in other animals, his attempts to secure funding for research on human dental implants were continuously rejected. Eventually, Dr. Brånemark would have success in the United States receiving funding. By 1970, Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare would approve the “Brånemark Implant”.The Dawn Of Titanium Dental Implants
The first dental implant was placed in a patient in the United States in the mid-1960s. The first patient, Gosta Larsson, was given four titanium dental implants which would support his dentures for the next four decades until Mr. Larsson passed away. When this was successful and Dr. Brånemark went to give lectures in Sweden on his discovery, many responded negatively. One doctor was noted saying during a 1969 lecture by Brånemark “this may prove to be a popular article, but I simply do not trust people who publish in Reader’s Digest”.
A turning point would finally be made in 1982 during a professional meeting in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Brånemark would receive large praise for his invention and the materials used therein. His invention would finally go on to help countless individuals. It was quickly bought up by the company Nobel Biocare which still uses the method for implants today.
Getting Your Piece Of History!
Whilst Dr. Brånemark passed away in 2014, his invention still lives on, positively impacting hundreds of thousands across the world today. If you are someone who has been searching for a scientifically proven solution to help solve your dental woes, dental implants may be for you. What better place to get dental implants than Radiant Dentistry.
Located in Bryan, Texas, Drs Reece and Jouett from Radiant Dentistry have successfully mastered Dr. Brånemark’s technique (as well as others) to help hundreds of our own patients live their life to the fullest with dental implants. If you would like the schedule an appointment to meet with one of our doctors, Dr. Michael Reece and Dr. Ryan Jouett, consider contacting our office near College Station, TX today! We look forward to sharing a piece of history with you and giving you a smile you want to share!
