The Mystery of Burning Mouth Syndrome

Most people can relate to the uncomfortable feeling that occurs after scalding their mouth on hot soup or coffee. It's a relief when that burnt feeling subsides after several days. But imagine experiencing that burning sensation all day, every day. The condition is called burning mouth syndrome (BMS), and damage to the nervous system duringmenopause may be to blame, according to an article published in the May/June 2011 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). 


For more on this not-uncommon malady, see http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/224551.php


For information about dentures, dental implants and gum disease, call the Ferber Dental Group at 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Even Infants Need Dental Care

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, although infants have few teeth, they should be seen by a dentist in the first year of life, as more than 40 percent of children suffer decay by the time they reach kindergarten. For more information about this topic, see http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/239754.php


For information about dentures, dental implants and gum disease, call the Ferber Dental Group at 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

New Pain-Free Dentistry Technique Developed

Researchers at the University of Leeds have discovered a pain-free way of tackling dental decay that reverses the damage of acid attack and re-builds teeth as new. For more on this exciting breakthrough, see http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/233254.php. 


For information about dentures, dental implants and gum disease, call the Ferber Dental Group at 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

There is No Substitute for Flossing

Dental experts overwhelmingly agree that daily flossing is a critical, preventive step in reducing tooth decay and gum disease. Flossing removes plaque between teeth and below the gum line -- dislodging the pieces of food trapped between teeth which otherwise cannot be brushed or rinsed away.


To read more, see this article by Medical News today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/21374.php

For information about dentures, dental implants and gum disease, call the Ferber Dental Group at 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Bone Fractures Can be Predicted by Dental X-rayx

It is now possible to use dental X-rays to predict who is at risk of fractures, reveals a new study from researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy reported in the journal Nature Reviews Endocrinology. For the full story, see http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/238777.php.


For information about dentures, dental implants and gum disease, call the Ferber Dental Group at 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Could Your Toothache be Caused by a Sinus Infection?

Although most dental pain is the result of dental- or gum-related issues, occasionally a sinus infection is to blame.

Of the four paranasal sinuses (“para” meaning beside; “nasal” meaning nose; and “sinus” meaning empty space) the maxillary sinus located behind the cheekbones is generally the guilty culprit when a sinus infection causes tooth pain. The maxillary sinus exists to reduce the weight of the skull, create increased resonance in our voice and provide an area into which fluid can drain from the nose. If the tiny tunnel leading from the nose to the maxillary sinus becomes obstructed or bacteria enters the cavity, an infection and subsequent fluid buildup can ensue, putting painful pressure on the upper molar area of the teeth and gums as well as on the face.

Only by a visit to your doctor or dentist can you be sure if the cause of your toothache is dental- or sinus-related; however, if the pain involves several teeth, there’s a good chance that it’s being caused by a sinus infection. Pain because of tooth decay or other dental issues is usually confined to a single tooth. Although rare, tooth pain can be caused by a combination of dental and sinus issues when the root of the upper first molar grows into the maxillary sinus cavity. In this case, the tooth is almost always removed.

Whatever the cause of your tooth pain, if it lasts more than a few hours or so, a visit to the dentist is recommended.

For information about dentures, dental implants and gum disease, call the Ferber Dental Group at 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

"Four or More" Dental Implants in a Day

The Ferber Dental Group now offers the revolutionary new procedure "Four or More" dental implants that can be completed in only one day. The new technology, also known as the "All on Four" procedure is for patients who previously were not suited for dental implants, and requires no bone grafting or sinus surgery. For the full story, see http://tinyurl.com/7w4cfvb.

More on the Connection Between Oral and Cardiovascular Health

A new study out showing that regular dental cleanings can reduce the rate of heart attacks adds to the growing body of evidence of the oral and cardiovascular health connection. Read the full story at http://tinyurl.com/c5z47dl

Combating Severe Fear of the Dentist

According to a study by the British Dental Journal, just a single session of cognitive behavioral therapy can dramatically help people with severe anxiety about going to the dentist. For more on the story, see http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/233700.php. 


For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Dental Emergency Checklist

As in any emergency with your health, the faster professional treatment is received, generally the more successful the recovery, and the same goes for dental emergencies. But unless you happen to be at the dentist office when a dental emergency strikes, there will be some lag time before treatment. Following are two tips to help you help yourself before emergency treatment.

The two most common dental emergencies are biting the tongue hard enough that stitches or surgery are necessary and knocking out a tooth.

If you are treating a bitten or bleeding tongue, gently wipe with a cloth and add pressure down on the tongue to stop the swelling. It may work better if the cloth is cold. If the bleeding doesn’t stop and is heavy, a hospital emergency room visit is probably the better way to go than seeing your dentist.

If a tooth is knocked out, hold it by the crown and rinse it off with water. Do not scrub it or remove any visible tissue fragments. If the tooth is not possible to reinsert into the socket, store in a small container of milk and see your dentist immediately.

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Fluoride: Not Just for Kids

Many adults are under the impression that fluoride helps protect only the teeth of children. But this is a misconception likely born out of early efforts to add fluoride to water where children were the main focus.

The regular use of fluoride—both in additive form and when directly applied to teeth—helps to protect the permanent teeth of adults from decay and sensitivity as well.

Fluoride treatment is available in a number of forms including: mouth rinses, which deliver about 250 parts per million of fluoride; toothpaste, which delivers about 1,000 parts per million; and direct application in a dentist office, which can pack a punch of 9,000 to 20,000 parts per million of the cavity-fighting supplement. Similar direct applications of fluoride are available by prescription for home use as well, although these supplements deliver less than their professionally applied counterparts—from about 1,000 to 5,000 parts per million.

Fluoride supplementation should be a regular part of everyone’s oral hygiene program. Ask your dentist if you are particularly susceptible to decay and would benefit from a prescription product or office application. 

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Grinding Your Teeth

Teeth are built to chew and grind food. But unconscious chronic grinding or clenching of teeth—Bruxism—can damage the chewing surfaces over time. Bruxism can cause micro-cracks in the enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decay, and even wear down the pointed surfaces of molars.

Tooth grinding can also cause headaches, muscle pain, and jaw injury. In many cases, people with bruxism don't realize they have a problem until a dentist notices the tell-tale signs on their tooth surfaces. That's one more good reason to get regular dental check-ups.

Researchers suspect that stress or anger may lead to tooth grinding. A 2010 study found that people with sleep bruxism were more likely than people who don't grind their teeth to report trouble at work, daily problems, and physical problems.

So, what can be done? Stress management techniques for one. Take walks, meditate, avoid stressful situations if possible, all of which not only help reduce bruxism, but are conducive to overall good health. In severe situations, a dentist may prescribe a mouth guard or splint that fits over the upper or lower teeth, protecting them from becoming damaged.

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Oral Cancer Screening

Detecting oral cancer early enough for successful treatment is now easier than ever, and everyone should have regular screenings. The exam usually will include looking for lesions, including areas of leukoplakia (an abnormal white patch of cells) and erythroplakia (an abnormal red patch of cells). Leukoplakia and erythroplakia lesions on the mucous membranes may become cancerous. Higher-risk areas of the mouth that are checked for cancer include:

·                 Floor of the mouth

·                 Front and sides of the tongue

·                 Soft palate

If lesions are seen in the mouth, the following procedures may be used to find abnormal tissue that might develop into oral cancer:

·                 Toluidine blue stain: A procedure in which lesions in the mouth are coated with a blue dye. Areas that stain darker are more likely to be cancer or become cancer.

·                 Fluorescence staining: The patient uses a fluorescent mouth rinse and then the mouth is viewed under a special fluorescent light that highlights irregular tissue.

·                 Exfoliative cytology: A procedure to collect cells from the lip or oral cavity. A piece of cotton, a brush, or a small wooden stick is used to gently scrape cells from the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat. The cells are viewed under a microscope to find out if they are abnormal.

·                 Brush biopsy: The removal of cells using a brush that is designed to collect cells from all layers of a lesion. The cells are viewed under a microscope to find out if they are abnormal.

Be sure to ask your dentist about screening for oral cancer. The exam is painless and integral to a complete program of oral hygiene.

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Periodontics

Periodontics is the area of dentistry involving treatment of the gums and other tissue that surround and support the teeth called the periodontium. And while dentists have long known that maintaining the health of this tissue is of paramount importance to keeping your teeth healthy, recent research indicates that it may also help stave off a number of chronic conditions throughout the body.

Periodontal disease—a set of inflammatory diseases of the periodontium—has been linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and more. In cases where simple cleanings, root planing and scaling are not enough to effectively treat inflamed gums, surgery may be necessary. Surgical treatments include:

Flap Surgery/Pocket Reduction Surgery

During this procedure, the gums are lifted, tarter is removed from under the tissue and, when warranted, irregular surfaces under the gums are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide. The gum is then fitted snugly back over the tooth to keep bacteria-causing food particles from slipping under the gum line.

Bone Grafts

Bone grafts involve replacing bone destroyed by gum disease with fragments of your own bone, synthetic bone or donated bone. The graft then serves as a platform for bone regeneration.

Guided Tissue Regeneration

In cases where the bone supporting the teeth has been destroyed, special mesh fabric is inserted between the gum and the area where the destroyed bone once was. The mesh keeps the gum tissue from growing into the empty space and inhibiting bone regeneration, and new bone is encouraged to grow.

Bone Surgery

Shallow craters in the bone supporting the teeth are smoothed to inhibit bacteria growth.

For information about dentures, dental implants and gum disease, call the Ferber Dental Group at 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Differences Between Single-Tooth Dental Implants and Bridges

When considering replacement options for a single missing tooth, there are two main options. First is a single-tooth dental implant, which looks and functions almost exactly like a natural tooth and has no negative effects on the surrounding teeth. Second is a tooth-supported fixed bridge, which requires that adjacent teeth be ground down to support the cemented bridge.

Because a dental implant replaces the natural tooth root, the bone is preserved. Dental implants integrate with the jawbone, helping to keep it healthy and intact. With a bridge, some of the bone that previously surrounded the tooth can deteriorate over a very long period of time, but generally this does not cause problems for typical patients.

A single implant can be easier to keep clean than a bridge, but with a little practice and regular maintenance, the cost savings of a bridge versus an implant make it a viable option.

For information about dentures, dental implants and gum disease, call the Ferber Dental Group at 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Dentistry Today: Not the Same Old, Same Old

To the casual observer, it may appear that not much has changed in dentistry, but the field is constantly evolving with the advent of new techniques, products and medications. Following are some of the more popular newer dental technologies that laypeople might not even know exist.

Air-Abrasion

An alternative to the traditional dental drill, air abrasion allows for the precise removal of decay through blast of pellets of air and aluminum oxide. Not only is the technology a significant refinement over drilling, but the treatment is relatively painless, so anesthetic is rarely necessary.

Bone Replacement

There are now options for replacing bone in patients who suffer bone loss from advanced periodontal disease. There is a freeze-dried man-made autogenous material that can be used to fuse with the patient’s existing natural bone; preserved cadaver or animal bone; and grafting a patient’s own bone from another area of the body into the jaw.

CAD/CAM (Computer Assisted Design/Computer Assisted Manufacture)

While CAD/CAM itself is not new, using it to fabricate dental restorations is. The technology allows dentists to much more accurately map a patient’s mouth and teeth in order to create a highly refined prosthetic for restoration. CAT scans are also used, especially in dental implant restorations, as the technology allows full 3-D views of the areas to be treated instead of traditional 2-D X-ray technology.

Caries Detection Solution

Caries are tiny pits in the teeth caused by decay that can be overlooked with the naked eye and that, left untreated, lead to cavities. Caries detection solution is a liquid red dye applied over a tooth to confirm that all tooth decay has been removed.

Composite Resin Materials

Composite resin materials are now used in some veneers and other restorations to fill cavities and to bond to teeth. These resins offer a much more realistic aesthetic than previous materials used to fill teeth.

Desensitizers

Desensitizers are topical solutions that can be used by your dentist or hygienist prior to dental treatment if you have sensitive teeth. They can be used alone or in conjunction with other pain and anxiety relief medications and anesthetics.

The Diagnodent

The diagnodent is a tool that uses pulses of sound and laser technology for early detection of caries.

Digital X-rays

Digital radiographs offer a way to capture dental images through a sensor that processes the image onto a computer screen. Digital X-rays offer greater comfort to the patient and less exposure to radiation than traditional X-rays.

Laser

While laser technology is not new, employing it in dentistry is. In some cases, lasers can be used to close surgical wounds instead of traditional sutures. Lasers are also used for the treatment of benign tumors, cold sores, crown lengthening, decay removal, gummy smile changes, dental fillings, tongue tie and speech impediment improvements, nerve regeneration for damaged nerves and blood vessels, and scars.

Periodontal Antibiotics

There are now "site-specific" topical antibiotics designed to concentrate in areas for treatment of periodontal disease.

Platelet-rich Growth Factors

After a bone replacement procedure has been completed, dentists will often employ compounds to hasten healing and enhance the fusion of the newly implanted “bone” and the patient’s existing natural bone.

VELscope

The VELscope is a brand new FDA-approved oral cancer screening system that uses incandescent light to detect abnormalities that may not be apparent or visible to the naked eye.

These are just a few of the newer tools of the trade being used in dentistry today. There are many others, with new technologies coming out every year and the mainstays being improved upon constantly. We’ll keep you up to date as the cutting-edge procedures, products and medications make their way into the field

For information about dentures, dental implants and gum disease, call the Ferber Dental Group at 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com

Dental Implants

The doctors of the Ferber Dental Group are experts in implants and can vastly improve your smile both aesthetically and functionally.

What is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are natural-looking replacements for missing teeth that also provide the same function as your natural tooth root. A dental implant is a small, sturdy, titanium post that acts as the root structure would for a natural tooth. A dental implant is placed into your upper or lower jaw bone. After the bone has grown around the implant, implants can hold a crown, bridge or overdenture just like roots hold natural teeth in place.

Implants are very durable and can last a lifetime. They require the same maintenance as natural teeth; this includes brushing, flossing and regular dental check-ups. A single tooth or a full arch of teeth that have been lost due to injury or disease can be replaced with dental implants. Titanium metal is used because of its compatibility with bone and oral tissues.

What Can I Expect During the Procedure?

The number of visits from the initial visit to completion of an implant varies according to the case, but in general this is a procedure that takes a few months. First the implant is placed and then enough time has to pass for the implant to become integrated with bone structure. Several appointments are required

in between the initial visit and completion to check the implant/bone integration. After the integration takes place, the procedure is completed with “permanent” restorations of the tooth/teeth.

What Results Can I Expect?

The results of dental implants are extraordinary. Creating a new smile will do just that: keep you smiling all the time and putting you functionally in a position to enjoy your foods.

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Dentures: An Affordable Way to Keep You Smiling

The doctors of the Ferber Dental Group are experts in dentures and can improve your ability to eat and help you look great.

What are Dentures?

Dentures are replacement teeth made of acrylic and/or metal. Some are supported by surrounding soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity, others by clasps, and a category called overdentures are supported by implants. There are several categories of dentures.

Complete Dentures

Complete dentures or full dentures are worn by patients who are missing all of their teeth in a single arch (i.e. the maxillary [upper] or mandibular [lower] arch).

Partial Dentures

A partial denture is removable and consists of replacement teeth attached to a gum-colored plastic/acrylic base, which is connected by metal framework to adjoining teeth that hold the denture in place. Partial dentures, aside from replacing missing teeth, prevent other teeth from changing position. A precision partial denture is removable and has internal clasps that attach to the adjacent crowns. Partial dentures are natural-looking appliances.

Overdentures

An overdenture is a type of denture that is secured in place by precision dental attachments. These attachments are secured in place by dental implants.

Care and Cleaning of Complete and Partial Dentures

You need to care for complete and partial dentures as carefully as you would look after natural teeth. Clean them every day. Plaque and tartar can build up on dentures just like they do on natural teeth.

You should:

• Take them out every night and clean them in a recommended solution and warm water.

• Brush your teeth and gums carefully using a soft toothbrush.

• If your denture has metal clasps, use warm water only for soaking.  

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Researchers Working to Shorten Healing Time of Dental Implants

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden have created a technology to improve the healing time of dental implants.

Per-Ingvar Brånemark was the first to discover that titanium could be implanted into human bone and not be rejected by the body. Titanium is covered with a thin layer of naturally formed oxide and it is this oxide's properties that determine how well an implant fuses with the bone.

Up until now, researchers have manipulated the surface shape of titanium implants and their oxide layer on only a micro level (one-one millionth of a meter). With recent advances in technology, however, manipulations can occur down to the nanometer (one-one billionth of a meter), which speeds up the process of osseointegration (fusing of the jawbone to a titanium implant). The result is a shorter period of time between Day 1 of the dental implant procedure and completion, and less discomfort during the healing period.
 

The technology will require further research before it is introduced to the mainstream dental industry, but the rate of progress realized over the last 40 years in the dental implant procedure is nothing short of amazing.

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Periodontics: Helping Keep Your Gums and the Rest of Your Body Healthy

Periodontics is the area of dentistry involving treatment of the gums and other tissue that surround and support the teeth called the periodontium. And while dentists have long known that maintaining the health of this tissue is of paramount importance to keeping your teeth healthy, recent research indicates that it may also help stave off a number of chronic conditions throughout the body. Periodontal disease—a set of inflammatory diseases of the periodontium—has been linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and more.

In cases where simple cleanings, root planning and scaling are not enough to effectively treat inflamed gums, surgery may be necessary. Surgical treatments include:

Flap Surgery/Pocket Reduction Surgery 

During this procedure, the gums are lifted, tarter is removed from under the tissue and, when warranted, irregular surfaces under the gums are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide. The gum is then fitted snugly back over the tooth to keep bacteria-causing food particles from slipping under the gum line.

Bone Grafts 

Bone grafts involve replacing bone destroyed by gum disease with fragments of your own bone, synthetic bone or donated bone. The graft then serves as a platform for bone regeneration.

Soft Tissue Grafts 

Tissue from the roof of the mouth is stitched to the gums in places where they have receded, adding tissue to the affected area.

Guided Tissue Regeneration

In cases where the bone supporting the teeth has been destroyed, special mesh fabric is inserted between the gum and the area where the destroyed bone once was. The mesh keeps the gum tissue from growing into the empty space and inhibiting bone regeneration, and new bone is encouraged to grow.

Bone Surgery

Shallow craters in the bone supporting the teeth are smoothed to inhibit bacteria growth.

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com. 

Five Centuries of Fighting Tooth and Nail

You’ve no doubt heard the expression, “Fighting tooth and nail.” Well, like many common expressions, this one dates back to antiquity, actually more than 500 years.

Then, as now, “fighting tooth and nail” refers to using all of one’s resources—or clinging tenaciously—to whatever matter happened to be at hand. Originally, the phrase was spoken in Latin: dentibus et vnguibus (tooth and nail). 

The farther back in history one used the expression, however, the more literal the translation likely was. In the 16^th Century, for example, the expression was used in a sense of literally battling while at war with everything you had, and can be found in English texts at the time as “tuith and nail.”

Later it evolved to mean holding fast and not necessarily during actual battle: “Take holde this toth and nayle, that to be honour onely which springeth true virtue.” Today you might find yourself fighting tooth and nail against some crab grass that has invaded your lawn or with your child to go brush his teeth before bed. Same words and meaning, but, of course, times have changed.

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Second-Hand Smoke can Affect Your Oral Health

Second-hand smoke has been linked to a number of health concerns over the years, but results of a new study indicate that we can add oral health to the list.

People with periodontitis—inflammation of the gums and tissue that support the teeth—are already at higher risk of bone- and subsequent tooth loss. However, those with gum disease who are consistently exposed to second-hand smoke were at significantly higher risk. The recent research indicated that a period of just 30 days of exposure to second-hand smoke is enough to accelerate the process of bone loss. Some nonsmokers live or work with smokers for decades.

The American Academy of Periodontology urges the avoidance of exposure to tobacco smoke at home, work and even in smoke-filled nightclubs and bars.

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Dentistry Through the Ages: a Timeline (Part V of V)

In the last of our 5-part series detailing the evolution of dentistry from its ancient origins to modern day, we’ll take a look at dentistry during the 20th^th Century.

1900

Federation Dentaire Internationale (FDI) is founded.

1901

Novocain is introduced as a local anesthetic by a German chemist, Alfred Einhorn. In 1905 Einhorn formulates the local anesthetic procaine, later marketed under the trade name Novocain.

1903

Charles Land devises the porcelain jacket crown.

1907

William Taggart invents a “lost wax” casting machine, allowing dentists to make precision cast fillings.

1908

G. V. Black publishes his monumental two-volume treatise Operative Dentistry, which remains the essential clinical dental text for 50 years. Black later develops techniques for filling teeth, standardizes operative procedures and instrumentation, develops an improved amalgam, and pioneers the use of visual aids for teaching dentistry. 

1913

Alfred Fones opens the Fones Clinic For Dental Hygienists in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the world’s first oral hygiene school. 

1924

The American Dental Assistants Association is founded by Juliette Southard and her female colleagues. Female dental assistants were first hired in the 19th century when “Lady in Attendance” signs were routinely seen in the windows of dental offices. Their duties included dental assistance, instrument cleaning, inventory, appointments, bookkeeping and reception. 

1930–1943

Frederick S. McKay, a Colorado dentist, is convinced that brown stains (mottling) on his patients’ teeth are related to drinking water. McKay’s research verifies that water with high levels of naturally occurring fluoride is associated with healthier teeth. 

1938

The first toothbrush made with synthetic bristles (nylon) appears on the market.

1937

Alvin Strock inserts the first metal dental screw implant.

1945

Newburgh, New York, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, are the first cities to add sodium fluoride to their public water systems.

1950

The first fluoride toothpastes are marketed.

1955

Michael Buonocore describes the acid etch technique, a simple method of increasing the adhesion of acrylic fillings to enamel.

1957

John Bordern introduces the high-speed air-driven hand piece for drilling and polishing. The Airotor obtains speeds up to 300,000 rotations per minute and is an immediate commercial success.

1958

A fully reclining dental chair is introduced.

1960

Development begins of lasers for soft tissue procedures; also, the first commercial electric toothbrush is introduced.

1980

Per-Ingvar Branemark leads the way in perfecting dental implant procedures.

1989

The first commercial home tooth bleaching product is marketed.

1990-Present

New restorative materials, bleaching products, veneers, dental implants and cosmetic techniques emerge, and take us into the age of dentistry that we enjoy today.

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Dentistry Through the Ages: a Timeline (Part IV of V)

In Part IV of this 5-part series detailing the evolution of dentistry from its ancient origins to modern day, we’ll take a look at dentistry during the 19^th Century.

1801

Richard C. Skinner writes the Treatise on the Human Teeth, the first dental book published in America. 

1820

Claudius Ash establishes the first dental manufacturing company in London.

1825

Samuel Stockton begins commercial manufacture of porcelain teeth. His S.S. White Dental Manufacturing Company establishes and dominates the dental supply market throughout the 19th century.

1830 

French brothers, the Crawcours, introduce amalgam into the U.S., which sparks the “amalgam wars,” a bitter controversy within the dental profession over the use of amalgam fillings because of the dangers cited about their mercury content. Although the American Dental Association later deems amalgam safe, and still does today, some controversy still exists.

1831

James Snell designs the first reclining dental chair.

1839

The American Journal of Dental Science, the world’s first dental journal, begins publication.

1839

Charles Goodyear invents the vulcanization process for hardening rubber. The resulting Vulcanite, an inexpensive material easily molded to the mouth, makes an excellent base for false teeth, and is soon adopted for use by dentists.

1843

The first British Dental Journal is published.

1844

Horace Wells, a Connecticut dentist, discovers that nitrous oxide can be used as an anesthesia and successfully uses it to conduct several extractions in his private practice. He conducts the first public demonstration of its use in 1845, but the demonstration is considered a failure when the patient cries out during the operation.

1855

Robert Arthur originates the cohesive gold foil method, which allows gold to be inserted into a cavity with minimal pressure.

1858

The Dental Hospital of London opens, the first clinical training establishment for British dentists.

1859

Twenty-six dentists meet in Niagara Falls, New York, and form the American Dental Association.

1869

Dr. Robert Tanner Freeman, graduating from Harvard University Dental School, becomes the first African-American to earn a dental degree.

1871

A tooth-colored filling material, silicate cement, is introduced.

1871

James B. Morrison patents the first commercially manufactured foot-treadle dental engine. Morrison’s inexpensive, mechanized tool revolutionizes the practice of dentistry. The same year, George F. Green receives a patent for the first electric dental engine. 

1877

The Wilkerson hydraulic dental chair is introduced.

1880

The British Dental Association is founded.

1884

Cocaine is introduced as a local anesthetic by Carl Koller.

1890

Willoughby Miller, an American dentist living in Germany, notes the microbial basis of dental decay in his book Micro-Organisms of the Human Mouth. This generates an unprecedented interest in oral hygiene and starts a worldwide movement to promote regular tooth brushing and flossing. 

1895

German physicist Wilhelm Roentgen discovers the x-ray, and the following year, a prominent New Orleans dentist, C. Edmond Kells, takes the first dental x-ray in the U.S. of a live person.

1899

Edward Hartley Angle classifies the various forms of malocclusion and is credited with making orthodontics a dental specialty. He also establishes the Angle School of Orthodontia in St. Louis in 1900, the first school of orthodontia. 

In our next installment, we’ll take a look at dentistry up to modern times.  

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Dentistry Through the Ages: a Timeline (Part III of V)

In Part III of this 5-part series detailing the evolution of dentistry from its ancient origins to modern day, we’ll take a look at dentistry during the 18^th Century.

1746

Claude Mouton describes a gold crown and post to be retained in a patient’s root canal. He also recommends white enameling for gold crowns for a more esthetic appearance.

1760

John Baker, the earliest medically trained dentist to practice in America, immigrates from England.

1764

First lectures about the teeth take place at the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, and are given by James Rae.

1768-1770

Paul Revere places advertisements in a Boston newspaper offering his services as a dentist. 

1771

John Hunter publishes The Natural History of Human Teeth, giving a scientific basis to dental anatomy.

1776

Paul Revere performs the first post-mortem dental forensics. Revere identifies his friend, Dr. Joseph Warren, who died in the Battle of Breed’s Hill. Revere is able to identify the dental bridge that he constructed for Warren.

1780

William Addis manufactures the first modern toothbrush.

1789

Frenchman Nicolas Dubois de Chemant patents his invention of porcelain teeth. 

1790

John Greenwood, one of George Washington’s dentists, constructs the first known dental foot engine to rotate a drill by adapting his mother’s foot treadle spinning wheel.

1790

Josiah Flagg, a prominent American dentist, constructs the first chair made specifically for dental patients. Flagg attaches an adjustable headrest and instrument carrier to a wooden Windsor chair.

In our next installment, we’ll take a look at dentistry during the 19^th Century.

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Dentistry Through the Ages: a Timeline (Part II of V)

In Part II of this 5-part series detailing the evolution of dentistry from its ancient origins to modern day, we’ll take a look at the Middle Ages and Renaissance eras.

500-1000 AD

During the early Middle Ages in Europe, medicine, surgery and dentistry are generally practiced by monks, the most educated people of the period.

700 AD

A medical text in China mentions the use of “silver paste,” a type of amalgam.

1130-1163 AD

A series of papal edicts prohibits monks from performing any type of surgery. Because barbers regularly visit monasteries to shave the heads of the monks and are equipped with knives and razors, they assume the monks’ surgical duties of bloodletting, lancing abscesses and tooth extraction.

1210 AD

After the Guild of Barbers is established in France, the profession evolves into two groups. There are surgeons who perform complex operations, and lay barbers, who perform more routine hygienic services.

1400 AD

A series of royal decrees in France prohibits lay barbers from practicing all surgical procedures except bleeding, cupping, leeching and extracting teeth.

1530 AD

The Little Medicinal Book for All Kinds of Diseases and Infirmities of the Teeth  by Artzney Buchlein is published in Germany and is the first book devoted entirely to dentistry. Written for barbers and surgeons who treat the mouth, it covers practical topics, including oral hygiene, tooth extraction, drilling teeth and gold fillings.

1563 AD

Batholomew Eusttachius publishes the first accurate book on dental anatomy, Libellus de dentibus.

1575 AD

In France Ambrose Pare, known as the Father of Surgery, publishes his Complete Works. This includes practical information about dentistry, including tooth extraction, treatment of decay and jaw fractures.

1683 AD

Antony van Leeuwenhoek identifies oral bacteria using a microscope.

1685 AD

The first English dental textbook—The Operator for the Teeth—is written by Charles Allen.

In our next installment, we’ll take a look at dentistry during the 18^th Century.

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.

Dentistry Through the Ages: a Timeline (Part I of V)

This is the first of a 5-part series detailing the evolution of dentistry from its ancient origins to modern day. When we at the Ferber Dental Group researched this information, we heaved a collective sigh of relief that we live in the 20^th Century. Because even just a few decades ago, let alone thousands of years, dentistry wasn’t very pleasant. Also, keep in mind while reading this that Novocain wasn’t introduced until about 1900 AD.

7000 BC

Evidence of ancient dentistry has recently been found in a Neolithic graveyard in ancient Pakistan. Teeth dating from around 7000 to 5500 BC show evidence of holes from dental drills. The teeth were found in people of the Indus Valley Civilization.

5000 BC

A Sumerian text of this date describes “tooth worms” as the cause of dental decay. Evidence of this belief has also been found in ancient India, Egypt, Japan and China. The legend of the worm is also found in the writings of Homer, and as late as the 1300s AD, the surgeon Guy de Chauliac still promoted the belief that worms cause tooth decay.

2600 BC

Hesy-Re, an Egyptian scribe, often called the first “dentist,” dies. An inscription on his tomb includes the title “the greatest of those who deal with teeth, and of physicians.” This is the earliest known reference to a person identified as a dental practitioner.

1800 BC

In the 18th century BC, the Code of Hammurabi referenced dental extraction twice as it related to punishment. Examination of the remains of some ancient Egyptians and Greco-Romans reveals early attempts at dental prosthetics and surgery.

1700-1550 BC

An Egyptian text, the Ebers Papyrus, refers to diseases of the teeth and various toothache remedies.

500-300 BC

Hippocrates and Aristotle write about dentistry, including the eruption pattern of teeth, treating decayed teeth and gum disease, extracting teeth with forceps, and using wires to stabilize loose teeth and fractured jaws.

100 BC

Celsus, a Roman medical writer, writes extensively in his important compendium of medicine on oral hygiene, stabilization of loose teeth, and treatments for toothache, teething pain, and jaw fractures.

166-201 AD

The Etruscans practice dental prosthetics using gold crowns and fixed bridgework.

In our next installment, we’ll take a look at dentistry through the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.