Dental Implant History
Medford, OR
 The popularity and wide usage of dental implants may be new, but the planning and use of them extends centuries. The history of dental implants begins with primitive attempts, which then grew with more modern learning. Today, we now have decades of positive research and data to reinforce the advantages that come with dental implants. As our understanding of various materials, and advantages of varying sizes, has developed, dental implants have now become a restoration with the highest rate of success in dental treatment. At Rogue Valley Dental Center, we can restore and rebuild missing teeth using the information that has accumulated through the ages for a successful treatment.
Ancient Dental Implant Attempts
The concept of dental implants is not new. It has existed probably about as long as people losing teeth have existed. The idea has always been to restore missing teeth for better chewing, improved speech, and aesthetics.
In anthropological research, scientists have found ancient peoples across multiple cultures, regions, and time periods with attempts of embedded false teeth. They have noted the presence of shell, metal, rock, and bamboo, sunk into the jawbone to serve as new teeth. These attempts would have faced a lot of challenges considering lack of biocompatibility and infection. What modern scientists were amazed to find is signs of the body healing around these various materials. The information scientists gathered in the early 20th century is that bone is willing to grow.
The process of bone growth with these embedded implants is known as osseointegration. It means the integrating or fusing of bone with another device. These ancient materials may not have been ideal, but the science was present. Scientists and doctors just needed to figure out how to take advantage of this natural healing and find the material and surgical treatment to make it work. Early bone healing work began and continued through the 20th century. It was quickly learned that titanium was the material of choice, as it was biocompatible, light weight, and strong. Early dental implants developed in the 1960’s were made from titanium, and it is still the primary choice of materials used today.
Modern Dental Implants
Today, dental implants have come a long way. We now offer implants in both titanium or a non-metallic ceramic for those with metal sensitivities or fear the dark color showing through their gums. Implants also come in a variety of lengths and widths depending on the work being done and your bone. We can use implants to work in tandem with dental crowns, bridges, or dentures. We can even retain a full arch dental bridge, or a full denture device. We invite you to learn more about some of the implant options including:
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Mini Implants
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All-on-4® Treatment Concept
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Implant Retained Overdentures
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Non-Metallic Ceramic Dentures
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Subperiosteal Dental Implants
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Immediate Load Dental Implants |
We are happy to review your dental implant options, discuss the science behind them, and discuss a treatment plan for you. Dental implants are more than simply replacing teeth, it is a system that allows us to rebuild teeth. For more information, contact our Medford office at (541) 622-2525 .
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Rogue Valley Dental Center 
