Dental History: Egyptians

The Egyptians

• Hesy-Re, an Egyptian scribe from around 2600 B.C., is recognized as the first dental practitioner.
• Missing teeth of high-ranking officials were replaced with donor teeth secured by gold wire, forming dental bridges.
• Seashells were curved and hammered into the jawbone as substitutes for missing teeth, along with materials like ivory from elephant tusks.
• Tooth cleaning powder consisted of crushed rock, mint, salt, pepper, and dried iris flowers.
• Mouthwash was made by chewing and spitting bran and celery.
• The Egyptians pioneered bridgework, pivot teeth, and used gold wire ligatures around teeth.

The Mayans

• The Mayans crafted artificial roots from jade and seashells, which fused with jawbone tissue akin to modern dental implants.
• By 800 AD, Mayans and Hondurans utilized stone for tooth replacement.

The Sumerians

• Occupied southern Mesopotamia and created cuneiform, the earliest writing system.
• Believed tooth worms caused dental decay.

The Chinese

• Huang-Di, the Yellow Emperor, introduced acupuncture for dental therapy.
• Missing teeth were replaced using small bamboo pegs.
• By 2700 BC, acupuncture was included in tooth decay treatments.
• In 500 BC, early toothpaste was created by mixing bones, twigs, flower petals, salt, and water.
• Arsenic was employed around AD 200 for treating tooth decay.
• Li Shih-Chen formulated a silver and mercury mixture for fillings by AD 659.
• The first toothbrush was invented in the 1490s, featuring coarse hog hair attached to a bone or bamboo handle.

The Phoenicians

• In 600 BC, they were the first to attempt replacing missing teeth with animal teeth and secured them with cords.
• Used gold strings to support unstable teeth and crafted dental bridges using ivory and gold strings.

The Etruscans

• Developed the first dental prosthesis and experimented with gold fillings and artificial teeth implants from animals.

The Romans

• Employed clamps and drills for tooth extractions and had a repertoire of surgical tools, including curettes and bone levers.
• Invented the use of opium as a narcotic during dental procedures.
• Knowledge of oral hygiene led to healthier teeth among Romans, with dentists extracting teeth only when necessary.

The Dark Ages of Dentistry

• From the 5th to the 15th century, characterized by high toothache incidents and brutal extraction methods.
• Although powders and mouthwashes existed, dental tools inflicted pain and damage.
• Replaced missing teeth often came from human donors with a high failure rate in transplants.

The Age of Enlightenment

• Dentistry gained recognition as a profession with improved hygiene practices and the introduction of porcelain dentures.
• Establishment of specialized dental schools.

Hippocrates

• Authored a historical account of dentistry documenting tooth eruption, decay treatment, gum disease, and tooth extraction methods.

Aristotle

• Contributed to dental knowledge with studies on the formation of teeth, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Claudius Galen

• Greek physician who identified nerves in teeth and incorrectly suggested teeth grow to compensate for wear.

Andreas Vesalius

• Recognized as the Father of Modern Anatomy, highlighting the organization of body systems.

Bartholomaeus Eustachius

• Credited for the first treatise on dental anatomy, detailing tooth structure and development.

Gabriel Fallopius

• Discovered parts of the human body, also the first to write about the dental follicle.

Lazare Rivière

• Proposed various remedies for toothaches and emphasized the connection between teeth and ear-related pain.

Guy De Chauliac

• A French physician and significant author in the field of surgery during the Middle Ages.

Giovanni of Arcoli

• Noted for detailing tooth root number and early dental filling techniques using gold.

Giovanni Plateario

• Introduced the sitting position in dentistry, enhancing patient comfort.

Alessandro Benedetti

• Renowned for his anatomical theater creation and described mercury's harmful effects on dental health.

Ambroise Paré

• A chief surgeon known for advancements in dental procedures including replantation methods.

Nathaniel Highmore

• Identified the maxillary sinus and its anatomical relation to dental structures.

Thomas Berdmore

• A prominent dentist in England who published key writings on dentistry.

Lorenz Heister

• Introduced dental treatments and prosthetics, advising methods for cavity fillings.

Girolamo Fabrizio

• Pioneered dental procedures and anatomical surgery, impacting dental treatment methodologies.

Walter Hermann Ryff

• Authored the first comprehensive book on oral hygiene and dental surgery, identifying main causes of dental diseases.

Explore the fascinating history of dental practices in ancient Egypt, featuring the innovations of Hesy-Re, the first known dental practitioner. Discover the methods used to replace missing teeth with materials like gold, seashells, and ivory. This quiz will test your knowledge of early dentistry and its developments.