Evolution of Dentistry through the Ages

From George Washington’s dentures made up of wood and horse teeth to highly biocompatible materials like titanium and ceramics being extensively used today to restore and replace dentition, dentistry has evolved drastically. With increasing awareness and constant innovation, dentistry today is witnessing newer techniques, materials, and equipment that are aimed at making dentists more efficient and accurate and making dental procedures more pleasant and pain-free as possible. While most patients still fear the dental chair, let’s look back into some history of what makes dental treatment one of the most dreaded procedures to date.

Archaeologists have found several pieces of evidence proving that dental treatments existed even 9000 years ago. At the Mehgarh Neolithic Site in Baluchistan, Pakistan, researchers have found the earliest evidence of Dentistry in Human remains dating from around 7,000 B.C. An Egyptian Scribe called Hesy-Re (3000 B.C.) is one of the earliest toother (dental practitioners) to be remembered by name. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, made recommendations for observation-based treatment solutions for dental problems rather than “Praying to the Gods”. The famous philosopher Aristotle also penned descriptions of tooth growth, tooth decay, and gum disease. During the Middle Ages, monks were the most educated citizens and carried out surgical procedures, including dentistry. When the Church banned monks from performing surgery, bloodletting, and extracting teeth, these tasks fell to barbers because of their expertise with sharp shaving blades. Since most of these dental procedures were carried out without the usage of any form of anaesthesia, even today, dentistry is associated with extreme pain. Whereas the truth is that most dental procedures aim to reduce a patient's pain.

Let me take you through some interesting discoveries that have changed dentistry forever:

1790

American Josiah Flagg created the 1st Dental Chair by attaching an adjustable headrest and an arm extension to a wooden Windsor chair

1846

William Morton conducts the 1st successful demonstration of ether anaesthesia during Oral Surgery.

1896

American Dentist C. Edmund Kells becomes the 1st to take a dental X-ray of a living person.

1903

Charles Land creates a porcelain jacket crown to cover and protect a tooth.

1957

John Borden creates the Borden Airotor, a high-speed handpiece that accelerates the process of tooth preparation.

1962

Rafael Bowen develops Bis-GMA, the thermoset resin complex used in most modern composite resin restorative materials.

1980

Per-Ingvar Branemark describes techniques for Osseointegration of dental Implants.

Latest Updates In The Field Of Dentistry

Continuous innovations have brought a paradigm shift in dental treatment in the last few decades. Let us try to understand why dental treatments today are much safer and more predictable than they were a few decades ago.

Radiology

Radiology/ X-Rays are being extensively used in dentistry today not only for initial diagnosis but also to ensure the final outcome of treatment and follow-ups. Instead of recording X-rays on films and developing them by a tedious procedure that may take up to 15 minutes, today, we make use of Digital X-ray sensors that give us sharp and accurate images in less than a second. Direct Current powered devices also reduce the exposure of the patient and the operator to radiation. Digital Radiographs can be easily stored, transferred, and accessed for a long time. Dentists today also make use of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) to get 3D images of the hard tissues. This has completely changed the planning and execution of treatments ranging from root canals to complex implant surgeries.

Anaesthesia

Gone are those days when dentists used hypnosis and other methods to relieve patients’ pain. Local anaesthetic drugs are some of the safest drugs that are used in surgeries. Skilled dentists today perform minimally invasive and pain-free dental procedures with the usage of different local anaesthetic agents and their delivery methods. The usage of Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) has made dental procedures less stressful for anxious patients. Although computerized anaesthetic-delivering devices are already catching up in dental practices, Artificial Intelligence is set to revolutionize the most dreaded aspect of Dental Treatment in the future.

Dental Impressions

Almost everyone who has visited a dentist has had their dental impressions taken for diagnostic or treatment purposes. And it’s no big secret that those 4 minutes are the most awkward for both the dentist who is trying to get it right the first time as well as the patient who is trying to overcome his body’s gag reflex. It started with materials like agar-agar which were made from algae, followed by alginates that are used extensively even today, and silicones that are very comfortable and accurate as materials but are non –bio-degradable at the same time. Digital Intraoral Scanners (High-Resolution cameras combined with powerful computers and AI) have opened up new arenas for dentists as they provide a fast, accurate, and easily transferrable dental impression that can be stored for a lifetime. Although their current costs do not make it possible for every dentist to have one, you can easily locate clinics that work on a complete digital workflow.

Restorative Materials

Kids who come to us for treatment would have been the happiest if we could fill their cavities with chocolates. Most of us would have seen or heard about “silver amalgam” fillings which were prepared by mixing alloys with mercury. Although they were excellent restorative materials, the usage of mercury has slowly led to their disappearance from most dental practices. These were slowly replaced by various types of cement, the most famous being Glass Ionomer ones which were liked by both the dentist and the patient for excellent manipulation and improved aesthetics. With the easy availability of excellent isolation techniques, adhesive agents, efficient curing units and application of Nano Technology, Resin/composite is the choice of material of most dentists today and the possibilities of their usage are endless.

Prosthetic Materials

Dentures are the first form of prosthesis known to humans. From being made of wood to being made out of biocompatible resins, dentures have come a long way. With the increasing demand for fixed teeth by most patients, crowns, bridges, and implants have become favourable substitutes for dentures.

Prosthetics were initially made from precious metals like Gold. Their rising costs created a demand for various alloys like “Japanese Gold” and “Stainless Steel” crowns. The advent of glass ceramics and their usage in different forms like crowns, veneers, onlays, inlays, etc. give dentists an upper hand as they provide excellent aesthetics and the freedom to be minimally invasive. The demand for high precision and faster treatment has made the usage of CAD CAM in dentistry inevitable.

An entire magazine might not be enough to discuss all the revolutions that the dental world has seen in the past 2 decades, but I would only go out to say “The Best is yet to come”. The importance of oral health in one’s overall well-being is no longer a secret. Hope you all get encouraged to visit your dentists regularly after reading this article.

Dr. Vandan Jariwala

Dr. Vandan Jariwala, a renowned Dentist in Surat who is dedicated to providing exceptional dental care. With a BDS degree and over 9 years of experience, Dr. Jariwala has earned a reputation as one of the best in the field. As a member of the Indian Dental Association, he upholds the highest standards of professionalism. Offering a wide range of services including Artificial Teeth, Flexible Partial Dentures, Full Denture (Acrylic), Full Dentures, and Hospital Dentistry, Dr. Jariwala ensures that his patients receive top-notch medical care. Visit him at Impression Dental Clinic in Athwalines, Surat, where his expertise and compassionate approach make him a trusted choice for all your dental needs.