Historical Perspectives IV: Creative Management of Fractured Teeth

Various contemporary efforts have been advocated to strengthen root-treated teeth to prevent fracture; or to manage teeth that exhibit fractures. These efforts have favored the use of newer, adhesive materials, incorporating horizontally transfixed fiberglass posts to stabilize the fractured segments. Results have been encouraging, as teeth tested have exhibited fracture resistance similar to that found with onlays. However, this concept is not new and in spite of not having the advantages of adhesive dental materials, including the fiberglass posts, efforts that were made close to 100 years ago to stabilize and retain fractured teeth were reasonably successful.

How visible light curing came into dentistry

The present paper details the history of the introduction of visible light curing into dentistry. This history provides an excellent example of 'out of the box', lateral thinking translation of innovative scientific technology into dentistry. Visible light curing is an important UK contribution to the recent history and current practice of dentistry, with several million visible light curing procedures being carried out globally on a daily basis.

[Study of remains and dental wastes of a First World War German rest camp]

INTRODUCTION

This article presents the analysis of dental remains and waste from the dental office of a German rest camp of the First World War in order to study the living conditions of the soldiers, the care policy and the prosthetic rehabilitation techniques used in this context.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included both dental and prosthetic remains, revealed during the excavation. The criteria to determine dental and periodontal health were the presence or absence of caries, wear, tartar and periodontal lesion. Location, severity and frequency of each of these parameters were examined. Regarding the prosthetic remains, the type of prosthesis and the materials used were determined.

RESULTS

Three hundred and twenty seven (327) dental remains were analyzed. A high prevalence of large caries, especially in the molar areas, was highlighted. The incisal areas had however more wear and tartar. 183 casts of plaster dental arcade allowed to highlight a significant proportion of posterior edentulous. Prosthetic remains and laboratory waste revealed the use of vulcanite and porcelain for making dentures.

Longing for modern composite materials in the late 1800s

Restoring teeth in the late 1800s required ingenuity and creativity, as the materials available were a far cry from is presently used. Likewise, restorative preparation designs had not yet been promulgated by GV Black. Concerns about both restorations that contracted due to the nature of the filling material and retention of sound tooth structure in favor of cutting away dentin and enamel in order to place "metal caps" were held by many dentists. While some dental professionals had a vision for the ideal restorative materials, they made do with what they had in an attempt to provide quality dentistry.

Low-shrink composite resins: a review of their history, strategies for managing shrinkage, and clinical significance

Despite numerous advances in composite resin technology over the course of many decades, shrinkage behavior and the resultant stresses inherent to direct placed composite restorations continue to challenge clinicians. This overview of composite resins includes a review of their history and development along with a discussion of strategies for reducing polymerization shrinkage. An assessment of the clinical significance of these materials is also provided, including a discussion of the differences between polymerization shrinkage and stress, incremental layering versus bulk placement, and the emergence of lower shrinkage stress monomer chemistry.

[Commemoration. In honour of György Huszár (1911-2002) and Béla Berényi (1911-2005) -- on the centenary of their births]

100 years ago two outstanding teachers of the Faculty of Dentistry of the Semmelweis University (Budapest) were born. Dr. Huszár was a prosthodontist, an expert on metal and other dental materials, as well as a geroprosthodontist and medical historian. Professor Berényi was internationally recognized as an expert on salivary gland surgery and also orthognatic surgery. Both of them published several textbooks and many hundreds of scientific papers in Hungarian and in foreign languages. They were internationally recognized scientists, members of several national and international societies, as well as editors of national and international dental journals.

19th century denture base materials revisited

Dentistry in the 19th century witnessed the development of a variety of denture base materials, the aim being to find a suitable substitute for the expensive and technique-sensitive noble metal denture bases. The century was marked by the introduction of natural and plastic materials for use as denture bases. Naturally-occurring materials, especially vulcanite, enjoyed great popularity for over 100 years. This article makes an attempt to summarize the historical 19th-century denture base materials.

[Publications related to dental materials in all the volumes of the journal Fogorvosi Szemle]

Among all the publications of the hundred-years-old Fogorvosi Szemle, there are only a few that deal with dental materials relative to other areas of dentistry. However, even this small number of articles reveals the change and advancement of dental materials and technologies.

[The developmental history of the dental filling materials]

Caries may cause substantial defects in the hard tissue of teeth. The dental filling for defects is an effective method to resume teeth complete form and masticatory function as well as aesthetic effects. The filling material is artificial restorative material to fill the dental defects. Tracing back the developing process of dental filling materials, we can see the advancement of stomotology of human beings. There was a revolutionary change in the filling materials from filling dental cavity with Chinese medicinal herbs to silver paste, from establishing the composition and proportion standardization of the silver amalgam filling materials to the application of new macromolecule compound resin. This is a continuous improvement and renewal in the idea and technology of dental filling treatment so that perfects the dental filling method and enables the retention of more healthy dental tissue. In addition, it pushes the development of dental aesthetics, adhesives and technology. With the improvement of people's health standard, aesthetic demands and environmental awareness, compound resin restorative materials has become clinically preferred dental filling materials of doctors and patients in clinic.

Intraosseous anchorage of dental prostheses: an early 20th century contribution

A thorough literature review of root form implants yielded a paucity of information regarding the true pioneers of this discipline. Numerous articles have been written on the history of endosseous implants, although little information is available describing the individuals to whom we attribute the major developments in implant dentistry. This article will present information regarding significant contributors to modern-day implant dentistry. Initially, articles and textbooks printed early in the 20th century were reviewed, and the relevance of implant-related information was ranked based on current concepts. This article highlights four major contributors in implant dentistry: E.J. Greenfield (1913), who developed many of the surgical techniques and principles used today; Alvin Edward Strock (1939), who introduced the first biocompatible material; Per-Ingvar Brånemark (1969), who proved the long-term success of titanium implants; and André Schroeder (1976), who introduced the roughened implant surface.

The evolution of the CEREC system

BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW

Early in 1980, the author anticipated the attraction of restoring posterior teeth with tooth-colored material. He conducted studies and developed the clinical concept of bonded ceramic inlays, at the same time raising the issue of the fast fabrication of the ceramic restorations. The author developed plans for in-office computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) fabrication of ceramic restorations specifically to enable the dentist to complete one or multiple ceramic restorations chairside, in a single appointment. The initial concept comprised a small mobile CAD/CAM unit integrating a computer, keyboard, trackball, foot pedal and optoelectronic mouth camera as input devices, a monitor and a machining compartment. CEREC 3 (Sirona Dental Systems GmbH, Bensheim, Germany) divided the system into an acquisition/design unit and a separate machining unit. Three-dimensional software makes the handling illustrative and easy both in the office and in the laboratory.

CONCLUSIONS

It appears that the CEREC CAD/CAM concept is becoming a significant part of dentistry.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Sound knowledge of adhesive bonding and diligent planning are essential for the successful integration of CAD/CAM into clinical dental offices.

A 100-year journey from GV Black to minimal surgical intervention

Over the past 140 years, dentistry has matured from the original tenets of GV Black by moving from "extension for prevention" to a minimal intervention approach. This is part of an evolution that stresses a medical, rather than a surgical model for caries management. This transition has been facilitated by the introduction and advancement of adhesive dentistry, which encourages preservation of tooth structure. Even with these changes, some of the original writings of Black are still relevant today: "The day is surely coming...when we will be engaged in practicing preventive, rather than reparative, dentistry."

Decisive progress in dental technology by Professor Peter Schärer

Throughout his career, Professor Peter Schärer developed and helped establish some of the most significant advancements in dental technology and technique. In honor of his legacy, this article presents a number of Prof Schärer's most notable contributions to the field, such as the hotpressing technique, full waxup try-in, and advancements in zirconium oxide materials. Professor Schärer's dedication to bold and innovative ideas, as well as his philosophy of collaboration between the dentist and dental technician, are responsible for vast improvements in the field of dental technology, many of which are now recognized worldwide.

Glass/ceramic/refractory techniques, their development and introduction into dentistry: a historical literature review

This review considered the development of glass, ceramic, refractory materials, and techniques over a period of 25,000 years, from the time of stone-age man to their introduction into dentistry. Currently a wide variety of all-ceramic dental restorations are provided using alumina-reinforced, leucite-forming, and novel glass and ceramic materials along with a range of refractory materials and associated techniques. However, some of the problems of dimensional and thermal change experienced by early craftsmen still persist during current laboratory fabrication techniques. Early English archaeological and dental publications were obtained through the Archaeology Education Department of the British Museum in London and the Archives of the British Dental Association Library. More recent peer-reviewed articles published from 1966 to the present were obtained through MEDLINE.

Advances in the history of composite resins

The use of composite resins as direct restoration material in posterior teeth has demonstrated a great increase, due to esthetic requirements and the controversy regarding the mercury content in silver amalgams. In this article, we have reviewed the composition modifications which have occurred in materials based on resins since their introduction over a half a century ago which have enabled great improvements in their physical and mechanical properties. Likewise, we have highlighted current lines of research, centered on finding the ideal material for replacing silver amalgam as a direct filling material.

History of the toothbrush

Civilized people have always used some type of instrument to clean and preserve their teeth. The first known instrument was a toothstick, referred to as a toothpick, woodmop, twigbrush, miswak, or siwak. Ancient Roman patricians employed special slaves to clean their teeth. The Chinese probably invented the bristle brush. French dentists, who were the most advanced in Europe, advocated the use of toothbrushes in the 17th and early 18th centuries. Still the toothbrush is a relative modern invention. Today, toothbrushes come in a variety of shapes and sizes with more choices than ever.

A history of dental amalgam

OBJECTIVES

Silver amalgam alloy has been used as a dental restorative material since the beginnings of restorative dentistry. It rose as an easily manipulated and low cost material in comparison to other restorative techniques of the time, but it had poor dimensional stability and clinical behavior. Successive research led to the standardization of both its composition and some aspects of its mechanical properties, which have contributed to its widespread acceptance. Nevertheless, the risk of environmental toxicity generated by mercury and its poor esthetics have given rise to the search for alternative and more promising materials. This article endeavors to give a brief historical description of the main events which have led to development of modern silver amalgam alloys.

SIGNIFICANCE

It is concluded that extensive knowledge of the use of silver amalgam alloy has made it the most widely used restorative material for the posterior oral cavity. However, in recent years its preponderance has been brought into question even though some innovative ideas have been suggested which could help improve this material in the future.

Thomas B. Welch, MD, DDS: journalist, innovator and grape juice king

Dr. Thomas B. ("T.B.") Welch was not an ordinary man. An inventive, creative and deeply religious individual, he intermittently practiced three professions--the ministry, medicine and dentistry. In his role as a minister, he developed a pasteurized, unfermented grape juice to be used during the communion service. He believed that he was truly serving God by enabling parishioners to partake a non-alcoholic "fruit of the vine." At that time, wine (the alcohol-containing "cup of devils") was traditionally used. Although T.B.'s efforts were in vain, those of his son, Charles ("C.E.") Welch were far more successful. C.E. had greater entrepreneurial talents than his father. By the time Charles died in 1926, he had made Welch's Grape Juice a familiar household product. As a distinguished New Jersey dentist. Dr. Tom made many contributions to his profession. He greatly improved the quality of dental amalgam and cement, and his dental products were so successful commercially, that he quit the practice of dentistry sooner than anticipated. Additionally, he created, edited and wrote Dental Items of Interest, a professional journal with the second largest circulation in the country. Later, he edited several other dental journals. Of his seven children, three sons and one daughter followed him into the dental profession. T.B. was also a gifted poet. Possessing a keen interest in the English language, he attempted to simplify spelling by using phonetics. However, this endeavor failed.

Discoveries of importance in restorative dentistry over the past 40 years

The advancements in restorative dentistry over the past several decades have been impressive. It is now possible to prevent dental caries on a predictable basis. If prevention is not carried out in early life and teeth are lost, it is now possible to restore mutilated or missing teeth with high efficiency and effectiveness. The future for restorative dentistry is extremely bright and has never been better in its history.

[The dawn of the profession: odontology among the Etruscans]

The Etruscans were a group of agricultural people who evolved into an urban population of craftsmen, traders, and navigators who lived in a network of cities and dominated the area of the Mediterranean around Italy in the 8th and 9th centuries BC. What has come to be known, and is of importance in our study of the history of dentistry are a significant number of very interesting works of art which include gold dental prostheses. The Etruscan prostheses are remarkable because they used gold bands which were soldered into rings instead of the gold ones which are seen in other cultures (Egyptians, Phoenicians) of the same time.