Dentistry in Middleburg VA can trace its roots far back into history. Ancient Egyptians are believed to be the first humans to practice a form of dentistry. Papyrus has been discovered that includes directions on how to treat mouth wounds, but there were no instructions on what to do for lost teeth that occurred during the injury.
The first evidence of the use of dental drills was found in a cemetery in Pakistan. Teeth from people that belonged to the Indus Valley Civilization that are believed to be around 9000 years old contained nearly perfect holes. These holes are believed to have been drilled by the predecessor to today’s drills used in modern dentistry in Middleburg VA. The drill was thought to be made up of a small bow that drilled flint into a person’s tooth. These flint drills were actually discovered on site. Some researchers wondered if the drilling was meant to be decorative, but since the holes were found on molars that were hard to see, this theory doesn’t seem likely. Another thought is that the holes were made to release “evil spirits” from the body rather than treating the decay in the tooth. This theory can be neither proved nor disproved.
The middle ages saw the rise of the practice of dentistry as a profession. These early dentists were known as barbers or barber-surgeons. If a person had a toothache, the barber might try a remedy consisting of tinctures and styptics. If these didn’t work, extraction was necessary. Barbers used extraction tools that were often crudely formed. These tools had the potential to cause awful damage including breaking the tooth, jaw fractures and damage to the soft tissues in the mouth. Not surprisingly, extractions could also be extremely painful.
Around 1750, the word “dentist” began to be used to describe those who operated on teeth. These dentists were trained and had the skills to properly treat teeth. Usually only the upper classes could afford these treatments, so the majority of people living during this time period still relied on extractions if they had tooth trouble.
By the 1800s, dentistry in Middleburg VA began to really take off. Anesthesia began to be used during procedures, making the process a lot easier on patients. Nitrous oxide, ether and chloroform were the common forms of anesthesia used during this time period. Dentures began to be more common as people became more comfortable with the idea of having their teeth extracted.
Dentistry Middleburg VA Are you looking for quality dentistry service in Middleburg, VA? Gainesville Dental Associates provides safe and comfortable dental treatment for patients in Middleburg VA.
