Per-Ingvar Brånemark (1929-2014): A Homage to the Father of Osseointegration and Modern Dentistry

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 16; no. 9; p. e68655
• Main Authors: Sharma, Swati, Ravi Kiran, Sarat, Kumar, Pankaj, Shankar, Rama, Kumar Upadhyay, Amitabh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cureus Inc 04-09-2024
• Subjects: Amputation; Biology; Dental implants; Dental research; Dentistry; Edentulous; Innovations; Medical research; Medicine; Nobel prizes; Orthopedics; Patients; Prostheses; Titanium alloys; United States > US; Sweden; branemark; modern dentistry; "historical vignette"; osseointegration; titanium
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.68655

Dr. Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark (Branemark), a Swedish professor of anatomy, is widely acknowledged as a pioneer in modern implant dentistry. His accidental discovery of the strong bond between titanium and bone, which he named "osseointegration," signifies a revolutionary progression in dentistry. This significant contribution has earned him global recognition among scholars and the general public. His work, which spans across disciplines, has introduced a new era of implant reconstruction and fostered the formulation of principles rooted in bone biology. This interdisciplinary advancement has paved the way for diverse craniofacial and orthopedic applications, including facial prostheses and limb replacements, owing to titanium's biocompatibility within the human body. This article stands as a tribute to Brånemark and his remarkable innovation. Despite not being a dentist, Brånemark, an orthopedic surgeon, has left an enduring legacy in dental implantology that continues to impact the field today and will undoubtedly do so in the future, deserving lasting recognition.