The most notable implant-related discovery came in 1931 when archeologists working in Honduras found the mandible (lower jaw) of a Mayan woman. The mandible, which researchers consider to be that of a woman in her twenties, had three tooth-shaped seashells inserted into the sockets left by missing teeth. For many years, scientists believe that the shells were part of a burial ritual, but then in 1970, a dental academic, Amadeo Bobbio, found that bone had grown around two of the implants. This led him to the conclusion that the shells served as tooth replacements while the woman was still alive.

Other notable dental implant discoveries include thousand-year-old Egyptian mummies who were discovered with gold wires implanted into their jawbones. A pre-Columbian exhibit showcases skeletons with dental implants made from semi-precious stones. In the Middle East, skeletons were found with ivory implants, and most recently, scientists discovered an iron implant in the jawbone of a Roman soldier.

While ancient implants addressed the cosmetic issue of missing teeth, they probably didn’t function as well as today’s modern implants. Backed by decades of scientific research, modern implants are designed to fuse with the jawbone – a process known as osseointegration. When placed by a skilled implant dentist, modern dental implants give you the power to chew foods again, and they can potentially last for a lifetime.

Call Dr. Fitzgerald’s Plano dental office at (469)814-8304 today to discover the benefits of modern dental implants!

Conventional dentures are traditionally used when full teeth replacement is needed.  They can be worn on both the upper and lower parts of your mouth and if a person is in need of a partial denture (not the entire mouth) that is also available.  The upper denture will have a plate that suctions to the top of the mouth.  Once the lower teeth are extracted a denture will replace the lower teeth.  In some cases, adhesive may be required to hold in the denture.  This will provide more stability for the denture; however, it will affect the ability to fully enjoy the taste of food.  When teeth are missing from the mouth, the gums will shrink as bone loss occurs, this will result in shifting of dentures, clicking and overall discomfort as sores can develop.

Dental implants are generally seen as the better solution to teeth replacement.  The cost for dental implants is higher than the conventional denture, but the stability of the implants offers a security that many consider to be worth the investment.  Dental implants are permanent implants that are inserted into the mouth for the teeth to be attached to.  The look of dental implants is extremely natural and the teeth are stable and strong.  Many who use dental implants, notice no difference between healthy, natural teeth and dental implant teeth replacements. Implants can be used to replace one tooth, multiple teeth or all upper and lower teeth.

First, let’s start with some statistics on tooth loss. It has been reported that 69% of adults have lost at least one tooth, and 50 million Americans have lost all of their teeth. I find these numbers staggering. In addition, if a tooth isn’t replaced, up to 20% of adjacent teeth will be lost in the next four 4 to 8 years. Here are some additional things you might not know about missing teeth:

• People with incomplete smiles don’t live as long as those with a full set of teeth
• Gaps in a smile can cause existing teeth to drift out of position, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease
• Jawbone deterioration occurs if a tooth isn’t replaced
• Bites can become misaligned and contribute to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, including headaches, earaches, and the inability to fully open and close your mouth

These are just a few of the issues associated with missing teeth. So, as you can see, it’s crucial to replace missing teeth as soon as possible. There are comprehensive therapies that will restore teeth and renew smiles. Dental implants can be used to replace single teeth and to secure dentures and bridges.

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Photo Credit: Investment Realty, Inc.