The history of dentistry is a fascinating one, and it has evolved incredibly over the years. With the remarkable advances we have seen in dentistry practice and care, one cannot help but wonder how it all began and the events that shaped the industry leading to present-day dental practice.
If you are curious about this topic and would love to learn more, you have come to the right place. Join us as we embark on this exciting journey and tour of the exciting world of dental care — and how technology is transforming the landscape.
Let’s start our tour from Ancient Dentistry. Shall we?
This would come as a surprise to many people. Did you know that the history of dentistry dates back to ancient Egypt? Yes, you read that right. History has it that the ancient Egyptians were among the first people to practice dentistry. They used seashells to make toothbrushes, and guess what they use in making toothpaste — a mixture of ground salt, mint, and dried iris flowers.
Dentistry in the middle ages
Fast forward to the middle ages. At this time, dentistry hasn’t recorded as much advancement as we have it today. It was a common belief that most dental problems were caused by worms or tooth demons. And they would use traditional equipment to have their teeth pulled — mind you, there were no aneastologists at the time. Ouch!
It wasn’t until the 18th century that the practice began to advance and became more specialised.
How did modern dentistry start?
The history of modern dentistry began with a French surgeon by the name of Pierre Fauchard. In 1723, he published a book titled “The Surgeon Dentist.” This book was regarded as the most comprehensive guide on modern dentistry.
He (speaking of Fauchard) introduced new dental techniques in his book — he mentioned the use of dental drills to remove cavities and filling teeth with gold or silver.
All you need to know about dental technology
Thanks to technological advancements, dental care has recorded mind-blowing innovations and state-of-the-art treatment options for virtually every dental problem. Let’s take a second to discuss some of these modern technologies that are rocking the industry and causing so much buzz.
- Digital X-rays
Compared to their traditional counterparts, digital X-rays are much safer and faster. With this incredible and specialized equipment, dentists can see detailed images of your teeth and gum in a matter of seconds. In addition to its speed, this option also prevents you from getting exposed to much radiation.
- Intraoral cameras
This is another breakthrough development in dentistry. Before their invention, dentists had no means of seeing the inside of their patients’ mouths. This device is a small handheld device is capable of snapping inside one’s mouth. Dentists use these images to diagnose and create a custom treatment plan.
- Dental lasers
This technology is becoming more popular for treating several dental procedures. They can bebl used to treat gum disease, perform cavity removal, and teeth whitening treatments. They are the replacement for drills and scalpels, which are known to make dental procedures painful and inefficient.
- 3D printing
This technology is used in dentistry to create custom dental implants, dentures, and other similar dental devices. As you can imagine, this technology makes it incredibly easy to create these devices and is more cost-effective than traditional methods.
What is the future of dental care?
Having seen the past and present of dental care and how the practice has evolved technologically, how about we take a glimpse of the future? What are the exciting and new technologies we should expect to see in the coming years?
Nanorobots — these are tiny robots that can be programmed to carry out specific tasks in our bodies. One possible application of these devices is for removing plaque and bacteria from the teeth. They can also be used to repair damaged tooth enamel.
Other technologies to look out for include Virtual Reality (VR) to help patients feel relaxed during dental procedures by transporting them to a calming virtual environment.
AI (artificial intelligence) can be used to analyze patient data and also create personalized treatment plans.
Conclusion
As you have seen, dental care has come a long way. All you need to do now is a search on Google for something like dental implants Sutton and you will get exactly what you are looking for. However, modern technology has completely changed how things were done and set the profession on course much less painful, personalized, and more efficient dental care. So, the next time you visit your dentist, rest assured you are in good and safe hands!
