Modern dentistry is owed not to the many technologies that we
have today, but to all of the men and women who laid down the foundation for it
in the past. Though there is evidence of dental work being practiced as early
as 7000 BC and beyond, it wasn’t until the 1600s that a science was developed
to help create modern dentistry.
One of the earliest contributions of dentistry is owed to an
English physician by the name of Thomas Browne. He wrote a book in which he
observed that many Egyptian mummies did not have signs of tooth decay,
indicating some kind of dental prosthetics were used. This would inspire some
prosthetic work to be done in Europe as well.
Strides in modern dentistry did not happen until the appearance
of a French surgeon by the name of Pierre Fauchard. Today Fauchard is known as
the “father of modern dentistry”. This is because despite the crude and
primitive tools he had at his disposal during the 17th century, he
still managed to become a highly skilled and respected surgeon who would adapt
those primitive tools in order to make better dental instruments. This usually
included improvising and using tools from jewelers and watchmakers for more precise
work. Fauchard also introduced the use of dental fillings for cavities, as well
as make the correct claim that acids in sugar were a leading cause of dental
decay. He also created many dental prosthetics and suggested that tumors could
be caused by late stages of tooth decay.
Dr Leslie Griesdorf is a professional dentist who is fascinated
by the history surrounding the field.
