Osseointegration: The Secret Behind The Success Of Dental Implants

By Author: Jack De Richards
Total Articles: 98
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It was in the early 1950’s that Swedish orthopedic surgeon, Professor Per-Ingvar Branemark, made the accidental discovery that would lead to the conception of the fields of dental implants and the branch of orthopedic surgery dedicated to the repair and replacement of bones and joints in the body. Up until his invaluable clinical research, dental scientists had been trying in vain to find a material from which to fabricate artificial teeth that could remain permanently rooted in the jaw. Everything that was previously experimented with, however, was simply rejected by the body and expelled or loosened over time. Considering the challenges of the existing teeth replacement technologies, such as removable dentures, there was a dire need for a solution that was fixed and non-removable. This solution was provided when Professor Branemark discovered osseointegration.
The Accidental Discovery that Changed Everything
In 1951, Professor Branemark was performing a clinical trial to examine the blood flow within bone tissue. He did this by implanting a hollow titanium cylinder into living rabbit bone. These ...
... clinical trials lasted several months and when Professor Branemark tried to remove the titanium cylinder, he found that the rabbit’s bone tissue had actually biologically bonded to the surface of the implant. As a result, it couldn’t be removed! In a single accidental experiment, the Professor discovered the answer to a problem that had been confounding scientists for decades, if not centuries.
Professor Branemark, being an orthopedic surgeon, realized the gravity of his observations and its many possible applications. He quickly rerouted the focus of his research and shortly thereafter, the field of dental implantology was born.
What is Osseointegration?
Osseointegration is the process whereby bone tissue fuses to the surface of an implant. However, the material from which the implant is made is paramount. Titanium is one of the elements on the periodic table that is totally bio-compatible; meaning that the body will accept it and not reject it. Additionally, titanium is exceptionally strong and can support a natural bite force, is stable, non-toxic and non-corrodible. This latter point is extremely important considering the mouth is a perpetually wet and acidic environment. All of these traits render titanium the best possible material to replace and repair bone tissue and teeth.
Dental Implantology Today
Subsequent research and development led to the innovation of dental implant technologies and surgical placement techniques that are able to address just about any unique tooth loss case. Whether a patient has lost one of their natural teeth to accidental trauma or all of them to advanced periodontal (gum) disease, New Jersey Dental implants specialists are almost always able to provide comprehensive and long-lasting solutions. Modern surgical protocols have become incredibly quick and increasingly non-invasive, which means that patients face shorter recovery periods and substantially less post-operative discomfort.
For all the benefits and advantages offered by dental implants over conventional approaches to replacing missing teeth, this technology is considered to be the best and most advanced in the treatment of tooth loss. And it’s all thanks to the accidental discovery by Swedish orthopedic surgeon Professor Per-Ingvar Branemark!