Dentistry in its modern form was formed relatively recently, although the history of dentistry, one of the oldest branches of medicine, goes back to antiquity.
The first attempts at dental treatment were made by people at the very dawn of civilization. Healers were priests and shamans who tried to defeat toothache with rituals and spells. This was not particularly effective, and more often than not, the diseased tooth was simply extracted afterwards. But as civilization progressed, dental treatment methods changed as well.
Ancient Mesopotamia used a special paste made from belenain and other plant ingredients. In combination with the pronunciation of an incantation, it was put in the hollow of a diseased tooth. The spell was called “The Toothache Conspiracy”. It represents an impressive poetic work of the era.
There is much evidence that the dental profession was very common and prestigious in ancient Egypt.
The papyri have brought to us the deep knowledge of the Egyptians about the medicinal properties of plants, which doctors of that time used in the manufacture of filling materials and anti-inflammatory compositions used to treat gingivitis, erosion and pulpitis. It is to the ancient Egyptian civilization that we owe the invention of toothpaste, which was then made from eggshells, pumice, myrrh and ashes. The Egyptians brushed their teeth with wooden sticks with a split end.
In Germany as well as in France from 1530 to 1575, there were publications devoted entirely to dentistry. Ambroise Paré, often known as the Father of Surgery, published his own work on the proper care and treatment of teeth.
The rapid development of technology since the beginning of the 20th century has led to the emergence of new methods and materials that began to be used in dentistry.
The practice began to actively introduce electric drill, and in 1905 novocaine was first used for anesthesia. Straight and angled tips for drill bits were invented, making the work of doctors easier.
Rubber, porcelain, aluminum and, later, plastics – whatever the dentists used in their search for the best results. Various types of plastics, including photopolymers, are still widely used in dentistry today, eg. for the fabrication of removable dentures or as a filling material.
In the mid-20th century, pneumatic turbine drills became available, and today they are being replaced by laser drills.
Modern powerful anesthetics make it possible to carry out any manipulation with virtually no pain.
The use of X-ray machines for oral examination has dramatically improved the accuracy of diagnosis and the quality of dental treatment.
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History of Dentistry
