18th Century European Dentistry

18th Century European Dentistry

• Pierre Fauchard (1678-1761), a French physician, is considered the "Father of Modern Dentistry".
• He wrote Le Chirurgien Dentiste ("The Surgeon Dentist") in 1728.
• This was the first complete scientific description of dentistry.
• The book described basic oral anatomy and function, oral diseases, dental procedures (cavity removal and restoration, periodontal disease, orthodontics, tooth replacement, and transplantation).

Fauchard's Followers

• Robert Bunon (1702-1748) studied the causes of dental malformations and diseases, and techniques for prevention, considered a precursor to pediatric dentistry.
• Etienne Bourdet (1722-1789) focused on dental prosthetics, building on Fauchard's concepts.
• Claude Mouton (died 1781) became the King of France's dentist.

Other Important Figures & Works

• Essay D’Odontotechnie: The first book exclusively about dental technology (mechanical dentistry).
• Alexis Duchateau, a Parisian apothecary, pioneered the use of porcelain for dentures.
• German publications brought a renewed interest in dental literature around 1742, as 150 dental treatises already existed before that time, but none written by dentists.
• Philip Pfaff(1716-1780) published "Body and their Diseases," and drew on Fauchard's work, presenting new insights.
• Johann Bücking (1749-1838) wrote a Comprehensive Handbook on Tooth Extraction for Practicing Surgeons in 1782.
• Adam Brunner also contributed to dental knowledge.
• Thomas Berdmore, dentist to King George III, highlighted the adverse effects of sugar on teeth.

John Hunter

• John Hunter (1728-1793), a Scottish surgeon, championed careful observation and scientific method in medicine.
• He collaborated with Edward Jenner, a pioneer of smallpox vaccination.
• He amassed a large collection of anatomical specimens, even illegally obtaining the body of Charles Byrne.

Prosthetic Dentistry

• French surgeon Pierre Fauchard pioneered prosthetic dentistry during the late 17th and early 18th century.
• Fauchard developed numerous methods for replacing missing teeth using ivory and bone substitutes, dental braces, and wires.

Mineral and Dental Terms

• The term "calculus" originally referred to various types of stones, including mineral buildups like kidney stones, that were prevalent in human bodies.
• The term "tartar" (from Greek tartaron) describes the mineral buildup on teeth, more specifically potassium bitartrate. Its use to explain calcium phosphate on teeth developed in the 19th century.