History of Dental implants

Basal implants were developed and improved in various stages, by the German and French dentists primarily. The single-piece implant was first developed and used by Dr. Jean-Marc Jullietin in 1972.

In 1997, lateral basal implants were introduced by Dr. Ihde in the way the “Disk implants” were developed. These implants were round in design and the surface was initially roughened.

In 2002 the base plate design was invented that was fracture proof and was later patented in the United States and Europe, Bending zones were introduced in the vertical implant shaft.

From 2005 onwards, the experiences with lateral basal implants were transformed to screw (BCS, GBC) designs. Ø In 1999 vertical shaft surfaces were polished, from 2003 the whole basal implant was produced with polished surface, as polished surfaces show no tendency to inflammation, and in case of sterile loosening, reintegration of the implant was possible if the load was adjusted in time. Roughened osseous surfaces were found to lack this ability. The design was developed to leave enough elasticity for the development and functional stimulation of bone

Conventional crystal implantology

In crystal implantology, implants are referred to as crystal-type implants if they are inserted into the jaw bone coming from the crystal alveoli and whose main load-transmitting surfaces are vertical. The traditional implants use the alveolar bone – this type of bone is lost after teeth are removed and decreases throughout life as function reduces. It is standard practice to insert screws at least 10–13 mm in length in the anterior segment of the mandible because this part of the mandible usually offers sufficient vertical bone. However, in patients with very little available vertical bone, crystal implants are contraindicated.

History of the basal implants:

First, the single-piece implant was developed and used by Dr. Jean-Marc Juliet in 1972. Because no homologous cutting tools are produced for this implant, its use is fairly demanding.

In the mid-1980s, French dentist, Dr. Gerard Scortecci, invented an improved basal implant system completed with matching cutting tools. Together with a group of dental surgeons, he developed disk implants. Since the mid-1990s, a group of dentists in Germany have developed new implant types and more appropriate tools, based on the disk-implant systems. These efforts then gave rise to the development of the modern basal osseointegrated implant or lateral basal implants.

The rationale of using basal implants

Teeth are present in less dense bone portions of the jawbones called the alveolar bone. This is also known as the crystal bone of the jaw. The less-dense alveolar or crestal bone gradually starts getting resorbed and recedes once the teeth are lost. The bone which ultimately remains after regression of the alveolar bone following the loss of teeth is the basal bone which lies below the alveolar bone.

This basal bone is less prone to bone resorption and infections. It is highly dense, colocalized, and offers excellent support to implants. The conventional implants are placed in the crestal alveolar bone which comprises bone of less quality and is more prone to resorption.

The basal bone is less prone to bone resorption because of its highly dense structure. The implants which take support from the basal bone offer an excellent and long-lasting solution for tooth loss. At the same time, the load-bearing capacities of the cortical bone are many times higher than those of the spongious bone.

Are Basal implants safe?