How Dentistry Has Advanced Over the Years 

Dentistry is not the same as it once was. Today, dentistry has become an advanced field that relies on the latest technology to help make your visit comfortable and as pain-free as possible. As one of the oldest medical professions, dentistry has come a long way. Here is a brief history on the field that keeps your smile happy and healthy. 

How Did Dentistry Begin? 

Dentistry is found to be dated back to 7000 B.C., however, it wasn’t until 5000 B.C. that we see some details related to dentistry and tooth decay recorded. In fact, at this time, text suggested that tooth worms were the cause of dental decay — and that wasn’t proven false until the 1700s. 

Ancient Greece records show that Hippocrates and Aristotle wrote about dentistry, mainly about decaying teeth, but the first book about dental health wasn’t released until 1530, and that was called The Little Medicinal Book for All Kinds of Diseases and Infirmities of the Teeth. By the 1700s, dentistry had developed into a better defined profession. 

In 1723, Pierre Fauchard, a French surgeon, became known as the Father of Modern Dentistry, and published his influential book. It was also Fauchard that introduced the notion of dental fillings, dental prosthesis, and the idea that it was acids and sugar that led to tooth decay. 

By 1840, the first dental college opened, and twenty years later the American Dental Association was formed. The first university-associated dental institution was the Harvard University Dental School in 1867. When 1873 rolled around, Colgate introduced the first toothpaste and mass toothbrush production began in the years following. 

Today’s Dentistry

We’ve come a long way since the days of believing tooth worms were the reason people experienced tooth decay. Now, we know that bacteria in our mouth, plaque, tartar, sugar, acids, and more can all lead to dental health problems. 

Today, there are dentistry services for every type of issue. We can divide today’s dental services into two main groups: general and cosmetic. 

General Dentistry

Think of general dentistry like going to your primary care physician. This realm of dentistry includes diagnosing, treating, and managing your overall oral health needs. Services under general dentistry include: gum care, root canals, fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges, and preventative education. At Young Family Dental, our general dentistry services include:

  • Amalgam fillings 
  • Dental hygiene
  • Dentures & partials 
  • Emergency dental services
  • Full mouth restoration 
  • Infant and pediatric dentistry
  • Neuromuscular dentistry
  • Periodontal treatment
  • Root canal therapy 
  • Wisdom teeth extraction 

Cosmetic Dentistry

The realm of dentistry that is known as cosmetic dentistry includes services that improve the appearance of your mouth, teeth, gums, and their overall smile. It can include treatments ranging from minor fixes all the way to surgeries. At Young Family Dental, our cosmetic dental services include: 

  • Dental bridges
  • ClearCorrect orthodontics
  • Cosmetic bonding
  • Dental implants
  • Lumineers
  • Porcelain crowns
  • Veneers
  • Smile makeovers 
  • Teeth whitening
  • White fillings  

The Future 

While we can’t exactly predict the future, there are a few things that we can assume will shape the future of dentistry. The Medical Futurist explains some of the technologies that they predict will change the future of dentistry: 

  • Artificial intelligence (A.I.). They explain that with the A.I. will be integrated within dentistry to analyze health data, research, and treatment techniques to offer diagnostic and treatment recommendations for patients. 
  • Smart toothbrush. We already have homes filled with smart devices, so why would our toothbrush be an exception? Smart toothbrushes will make it a lot easier to maintain oral hygiene and prevent plaque and/or cavities.
  • Virtual reality (VR). VR will allow students and dental surgeons to stream operations globally and allow students from all over to view the operations happening — all while it seems like they’re actually in the room.
  • Teledentistry. Whether you or your children are nervous about going to the dentist or live too far from a dental practice, teledentistry services offer easier access to oral care. While you can’t receive many treatments via tele dentistry, you can still see and talk to a dentist, develop a patient/doctor relationship, and help them better understand what could be going on. 
  • 3D printing. This is already allowing dentists to print prosthetics and more, but in the future it will continue to use them for low-cost, more effective digital labs. Now, many dentists are able to 3D print your crown the same day — meaning no need for multiple appointments or temporary fixes. 

Make an Appointment with Young Family Dental

Dentistry has come a long way over the years and it will only continue advancing. If you’re overdue for your annual dental checkup, or if you just want to see more about what’s happening in modern dentistry, make an appointment at Young Family Dental. With 5 convenient locations in Utah, we’re here for you and your family.