Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) Practice Exam 2026 - Free CIS Practice Questions and Study Guide

The documentation of dental implants dates back to 600 A.D., when the ancient Mayans were known to have used materials like seashells and other objects to replace missing teeth. This early form of dental implantation illustrates the long history and evolving techniques of dental restorations. The advancements in dental implantology, seen in later centuries, were built upon this foundational knowledge and practice.

In contrast, the 1800s mark a period where dental practices were being formally documented and started to evolve, but specific documentation of implants as we understand them today was not prevalent until after the 600 A.D. period. The years 1860 and 1895 are significant in the timeline of dentistry, yet they do not represent the earliest documentation of dental implants. Therefore, the answer recognized as correct reflects the historical roots of dental implants in early civilizations, highlighting their ingenuity in dental care long before modern dentistry developed.