Moments in Dental History

3000 B.C.
In ancient Egypt, Hesi-Re is the first named “dentist” (greatest of the teeth). The Egyptians bind replacement teeth together with gold wire.

700—500 B.C.
The Romans use bones, eggshells and oyster shells mixed with oils to cleanse the teeth.

570—950
The siwak, a primitive form of toothbrush, is used for cleaning teeth in the Middle East.

300 A.D.
Christian martyr St. Apollonia, the patron saint of dentistry, is burned by the Romans after having her teeth extracted.

1498
The first toothbrush is made in China of wild boar hair fixed to a bamboo or bone handle at a right angle.

1728
Pierre Fauchard publishes “Treatise on the Teeth” and elevates dentistry to a new level.

1789
George Washington is elected president of the United States with only one tooth. Contrary to the myth of wooden teeth, his dentures were made from ivory.

1840
The first dental college in the world, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, is founded by Horace H. Hayden and Chapin A. Harris, professors at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

1844
Dentist Horace Wells discovers nitrous oxide anesthesia.

1846
Dentist William T. G. Morton uses ether for the first time.

1871
James B. Morrison invents the first commercially available foot-powered dental engine.

1895
G. V. Black perfects the formulation for amalgam for dental fillings: 68% silver with small amounts of copper, tin and zinc. Expansion and contraction of fillings can now be controlled.

1945
Grand Rapids, Michigan is the first city to fluoridate its drinking water.

1957
Dr. John V. Borden invents the first successful air-turbine dental engine, the Airotor.

1980
The use of sealants begins.

1990
The FDA approved certain lasers for use on soft tissue that promise less pain, less noise and less fear in dental procedures.

All objects photographed are part of the collection on view
at National Museum of Dentistry.