Tooth loss is a major problem of humanity. It may lead to physical and mental discomfort, compromising the quality of life and social interactions. First attempts of dealing with tooth loss appeared in the 600 AD in Mayan civilization. In 1931 archaeologists found a mandible fragment of a Mayan woman with tooth-shaped pieces of seashell as a substitute for natural lower incisors. Contemporary dental implants are nothing like the Mayan shells. They consist of titanium root with the ability of osseointegration and a prosthetic crown of aesthetic features. Read full text »