Abstract
Per-Ingvar Brånemark (1929-2014) revolutionized 21st-century dentistry with the introduction of osseointegration, and his invention of dental implants revolutionized the restoration of smiles all over the world. His accidental discovery that titanium bonds with bone in the 1950s revolutionized restorative dentistry, especially for prosthetic teeth caused by trauma or disease. Through the course of decades, his work was translated into clinical techniques and materials that have helped millions to reacquire oral function. His commitment to research, clinical application, and global education earned him the title of the father of modern dental implantology, with his influence still being felt in introducing millions of fellow clinicians into the field. This is the narrative of Brånemark's life and career, the main point being some of his outstanding achievements in the dental field, including the introduction of titanium implants in 1965 and osseointegration spreading around the globe in the 1980s.