The man who discovered dental implants and the benefits of osseointegration is Professor Per-Ingvar Branemark, an orthopaedic surgeon originally from Sweden.
Professor Branemark – the
‘father’ of modern day implant
surgery. (Image:
www.branemark.com)
– Professor Branemark – the
‘father’ of modern day implant
surgery. (Image:
www.branemark.com)
Now 84, he’s known as the ‘father of modern dental implantology and heads up the Branemark Osseointegration Center which was first founded in Gothenburg in Sweden in 1989.
Today the Branemark clinics operate in a global network – with locations in South Africa, Greece, Dubai, Germany, India, Spain, France, Brazil, China and Japan.
SIGNIFICANT SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGH
It was in 1982 at a conference in Toronto that Professor Branemark’s pioneering work in the biological fusion of bone to a foreign material (titanium) was presented and is seen as one of the most significant scientific breakthroughs in dentistry since the late 1970s.
One of the key parts of his research had focused on titanium posts being placed into the lower leg bones of rabbits and the discovery that they could not be removed after a period of healing. His work then turned to inventing a type of dental implant using pure titanium screws and from then on the dental world embraced his invention.
Branemark’s clinics are regarded as centres of excellence in education and the professor has acknowledged the need to share that knowledge throughout the dental profession.
The professor’s own words state: “I fully know and respect that osseointegration in dentistry and medicine, is the result of decades of international, open minded, unprejudiced cooperation and communication, a willingness to share results, problems and ideas.”
The Branemark
Institute – globally
known centre for
implant knowledge
– The Branemark
Institute – globally
known centre for
implant knowledge
INTENSIVE TRAINING
It was my own recognition of the pioneering work done in these centres that turned my attention to the clinic in Johannesburg and my decision to sign up for a three day intensive training course with leading experts in their field.
I will share the experience of my visit to the South African clinic in a future blog.
If you have any questions about implants or any other aspects of this blog please contact our clinic on 0141 339 7579 or by secure email messaging here.
