Titanium Dental Implants from the 80s Remain Functional After Almost 4 Decades
In a remarkable discovery that challenges the norms of modern dentistry, a study conducted over four decades ago in Gothenburg, Sweden, has shown that titanium dental implants can last not just years, but entire generations.
The study, which involved 13 patients who received dental implants between 1982 and 1985, was spearheaded by Professor Per-Ingvar Branemark, the pioneer who discovered that bone could fuse with titanium. This groundbreaking finding paved the way for the development of dental implants as we know them today.
Dr. Elif Demir at the Parmire Dental Centre in Turkey has highlighted the significance of this study, stating that all-on-4 dental implants provide stability and confidence in a fraction of the time older methods required. However, she emphasises the importance of long-term monitoring to ensure equally good results over time.
The study revealed that of the original 23 dental implants placed, 18 remain, with bone around them virtually unchanged after forty years. Bone levels around the dental implants barely changed, and in some cases, bone had even grown. This finding underscores the outstanding stability of titanium dental implants.
While the dental implants themselves have proven to be durable, the crowns—the visible 'teeth' attached to those dental implants—don't last as long. The study found that only 60 percent of the original crowns still remain in place after four decades. However, most crown replacements were for aesthetic reasons rather than technical failures.
The 'all-on-4' method, a modern innovation, allows patients who have lost most or all of their teeth to walk out of surgery with a fully restored smile anchored by just four dental implants. This method was not part of the original study, but its success suggests that the durability of titanium dental implants may extend to more contemporary designs.
The patients in this study were unusually young when they received dental implants, on average, just 23 years old. This finding is particularly significant as it demonstrates the long-term viability of dental implants for younger patients.
As the field of dentistry continues to evolve, scientists are focusing on the next generation of therapies for missing teeth. Instead of using metal dental implants, they are working on regenerating new teeth for the patient. An early step towards this was taken earlier this year, when scientists at Tufts University grew human-like teeth inside the jaws of pigs.
This study serves as a reminder that, when done carefully, dental implant treatments can last not just years, but entire generations. It underscores the importance of long-term follow-ups and careful evaluation in ensuring equally good results over time. Despite the advancements in dental technology, the durability of the original titanium dental implants provides a strong foundation for future research and innovation in the field of dentistry.
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