While it is believed that a form of dentistry was practised as far back as nine millennia, it remained a relatively crude science for most of its history. While dental decay was observed, its cause remained unknown until first hinted at by a Dutch businessman named Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in 1683. He was the first to observe oral bacteria using a microscope of his own design, eventually dispelling the idea that so-called tooth worms were to blame. It was also around this time that a number of definitive texts, which would later form the foundation for modern dentistry and lead to the establishment of the dental clinic, first made their appearance.
The 19th century saw a number of important developments including the first reclining dental chair; the first use of amalgam for dental fillings; the first use of ether and nitrous oxide for general anaesthesia, and the invention of a material called Vulcanite by Goodyear for use in the manufacture of denture plates. The period also marked the opening of the first school of dentistry, the first dentists to be granted a licence by Britain’s Royal College of Surgeons, and the simultaneous appearance of a treadle-operated drill and a silicate filling cement that closely matched the colour of a tooth.
While the pioneers involved in these developments would probably be overwhelmed by the technology employed in a dental clinic of today, without their valuable contributions, barber-surgeons might still be inspecting our mouths for tooth worms. No longer the site of screams and blood-spattered aprons, the premises used by dentists today are pristinely clean, furnished with state-of-the-art equipment, and staffed by a team of healthcare professionals who, together, provide a comprehensive service that aims to meet all the requirements to ensure the oral health of their patients.
Among the newest additions to the services now available at a typical 21st-century clinic are those provided by the dental hygienist. The role of these trained healthcare professionals is to support the dentist by taking responsibility for some of the less exacting tasks and, in particular, focus on the preventative aspects of dentistry. For example, they will remove tartar and plaque and apply protective agents such as fluorides and sealants. In addition to visually assessing oral health and reporting their findings, they may also take X-rays, while also instructing patients on how to care for their teeth and to maintain oral hygiene.
As well as providing basic dentistry and orthodontics, a good dental clinic is likely to have specialists able to perform more complex procedures such as gum and maxillofacial surgery. To protect your teeth professionally, give Intercare a call.