Martha Rasi and Jaime Lozada

Martha Rasi and her husband were new residents of the Loma Linda, California, community in the mid-1970s. And Martha had a health issue.

While living in Maryland before the couple relocated, Martha’s dentist determined she needed a dental implant. Dental implant science was evolving quickly at the time, and Martha’s Maryland dentist knew two things: Martha was relocating to Loma Linda, and one of the leading developers of these new approaches, Robert James, DDS, worked in Loma Linda.

Martha made an appointment to see James. Following a series of appointments and planning, James successfully performed Martha’s implant surgery in 1975. James needed two weeks to design and handcraft the hardware needed to support the artificial crown before placing the implant.

Martha remembers being told the implant would likely last five to six years before a replacement was needed. But 50 years later that implant is still serving Martha well.

“It’s amazing to see work that Bob James did 50 years ago is still in excellent shape,” said Jaime Lozada, DDS, director of Loma Linda University School of Dentistry’s graduate program in implant dentistry. “Martha’s implant is a tribute to Bob’s abilities and his mindset of the design, shape, and materials needed for successful outcomes.”

Robert James went on to establish the first university program in dental implant training at the School of Dentistry in 1976. From a small clinic James operated in Loma Linda, this new program served as a model for clinical implant training globally. James led the program until his death in 1993. Lozada, the fifth resident to study under James after the program launched, assumed leadership at that time.

To mark the Golden Anniversary of the program’s establishment, the School of Dentistry hosted a symposium on Advanced Implant Dentistry in late September. During an awards banquet at the event, the School celebrated Robert James’s legacy in part by honoring Martha Rasi, who still possesses that early dental implant.

Martha believes her healthy lifestyle was a key factor in her implant's long life.

“I exercise, never been overweight, eaten well,” she said. “Dr. James also gave me some important advice: be careful to keep the implant clean. When WaterPik was introduced, that made a real difference in how I was able to care for the implant.”

Ironically, Martha confesses she had the habit of eating ice cubes for most of her adult life. Dentists will tell you that’s a no-no. Recently, the ice cracked one of Martha’s molars, requiring a new implant. Her dentist? Jaime Lozada.

“Techniques are different today,” Lozada said. “We use digital technology to design the hardware, use 3-D printing to create the pieces, and do the implant on the same day. It’s amazing progress.” Lozada believes that robotic surgery will play an important role in dental implants in the near future.

Loma Linda University’s Center for Implant Dentistry continues to be an international leader in the field as it builds on Robert James's work. Information about the academic program or the dental implant clinic can be found on the School of Dentistry website.