The history of dentistry and modern advances in technology

View PDF | Print View
by: Geraldine Smith
Total views: 43
Word Count: 778
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2011 Time: 2:54 PM
0 comments

Remember when phones used to be fixed landlines in your home? How amazing was it when mobile phones came about and you could use them anywhere at anytime? Now do you remember when braces used to be fixed aligners in your teeth? How amazing was it when removable braces came about and you could use and remove them anywhere at anytime? Thanks to technology, advancements have allowed billions of people to feel more connected to one another whilst giving them the independence to move around freely. From mechanical to cosmetic improvements, technology has enhanced the lives of many - not to mention, the most natural thing in the world. A smile.

Where it all began?

Starting off with the most basic of dental care was the toothbrush, first recorded in history around 3000BC as a twig with a frayed end called a ‘chewstick'. Since then the toothbrush has advanced in its other purposes, going from just static brushing to electric cleansing - and where it was the consumer who had to manually operate the toothbrush was now the responsibility of the toothbrush, cleaning the consumer's teeth with the power of oscillating movements to clean more effectively.

But brushing the teeth alone won't ensure proper oral care - hence the invention of toothpaste. First created between 3000-5000BC, the Egyptians made a dental cream using powdered ashes of oxen hooves with myrrh, pumice and burned egg shells. Several centuries later and toothpaste now serves for more than just cleaning teeth, but also whitening and ensuring fresher breath. Other products to assist in basic dental care include flossing and mouthwash, and as well as whitening toothpastes you can now get whitening strips. Many essentials of dental care that were once the responsibility of your dentist can now be done in the comfort of your own home for cheaper and quicker results.

Technology at your dentist

But what if you wanted cheaper and quicker results in the comfort of your own…dentist? The most popular form of treatment that dentists offer and carry out is the straightening of teeth. From the cheap and traditional metal braces to the expensive and aesthetic look of porcelain veneers, the advancement of dental technology has now made it more accessible for people with different tastes and price ranges to choose a suitable method of teeth straightening. With society being more mobile and flexible with their time and money, dental businesses are recognising the need to adapt their technology for the modern person.

A huge advantage to dental technology is the instant gratification they can now provide for their customers. Whereas straightening your teeth through braces would have taken months if not years, with options such as Invisalign and veneers waiting time is significantly reduced, allowing the consumer to see instant results. But it's not just cosmetic advancements that dental technology has provided, breakthrough medical enhancements have helped health professionals successfully treat their patients - for example, thanks to the invention of the three dimensional imaging process a full virtual impression of a person's teeth can ensure the dentist is able to complete a proper check-up; not to mention allowing for products such as Invisalign to produce aligners able to straighten the patient's teeth thanks to the use of this type of 3D imaging.

Straight out of science fiction

Another form of imaging that is used in the dentistry world is intraoral imaging. Using small cameras roughly the size of a pen, is it now easier for a dentist to observe the condition of your gums and teeth. With the zoom technology, problems such as cracks, diseased areas and worn metal fillings can be recognised by your dentist instantly, diagnosing these issues a lot earlier than traditional dental technology. And by highlighting suitable candidates for restorative dentistry, such as veneers or lumineers, teeth can be restored, rather than extracted and replaced.

A definite notable advance in dental treatment includes laser technology. Lasers are particularly useful within the dental industry as they help ensure that no harmful materials enter a person's mouth and that more accurate cleaning can be performed by your dentist. As well as whitening, laser treatment also benefits the patient's comfort; with clinical studies showing approximately 96 per cent of all patients not needing anaesthesia when lasers are being used during dental treatment.

But technology is always advancing, and with recent developments such as ultrasonic technology and air abrasion, the world of dentistry has a lot to look forward to - enough to make you and I smile.

About the Author

The team at Sparkle Dental Boutique offer a range of cosmetic dental treatments to a high standard, using up-to-date advanced technologies.
For a London dentist for veneers visit Sparkle Dental's website.