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.