Dentistry is often the one medical profession that is overlooked as it is not exactly filled with life-saving and life-changing events. But it is in actual fact one with a history as rich as any other medical profession and is one of the most innovative and ever-changing fields. Since the 1970s, the world of dentistry has come along in leaps and bounds and never before have we been able to take care of our teeth better.

Dentistry Innovations in the 1970s

Dentistry has come a long way since the time when humans used sticks to clean their teeth and the only option for toothache was to pull out the offending molar. However, even as late as the 1970s, a visit to the dentist was not necessarily considered to be a priority for many people. Other things were prioritised over dental care and this had the knock-on effect of making dental care expensive and not affordable for many. One of the biggest advancements during this decade was the advent of mobile dentistry. The brain child of a Russian dentist living in Germany, Dr Mark Voloshin [http://www.markvoloshin.com/], the idea of taking dental care to the people was born. The idea was to make dental care accessible to all, regardless of budget or geographical location. This was extremely successful and turned into both a profitable business as well as a way to help communities and educate about the importance of dental hygiene, allowing mobile dentistry to still be practiced today.

Dentistry in the 1980s

In the 1980s great developments started occurring around the techniques used for the osseointegration of dental implants. This is the process whereby direct anchorage of a dental implant root into the bone of the jaw to secure a false tooth. Today osseointegrated implants are the most commonly used out of all the implant types and are arguably the most permanent as well as the most successful. The year 1989 was also the year to see the release of the first commercial home teeth bleaching product, encouraging people to not only take care of their teeth but to also incorporate them into their beauty regime.

Dentistry in the 1990s

The 1990s were arguably the decade for aesthetic developments in dentistry when the focus shifted from a purely medical standpoint and began to include cosmetic changes. New products continually came on to the market from tooth colour restorative creams to new bleaching agents. The improvement in veneers and implants also led to more and more people seeking out cosmetic changes to their teeth and essentially improving their smiles simply because they could. The 1990s was also the decade where the erbium YAG laser was approved, finally offering a new, quick and effective way to fight tooth decay.

Dentistry Today

Some of the most exciting developments in dentistry are occurring now in the 21st century, with even more set to happen in the near future. One of the first and most exciting innovations of the 21st century is the move away from the traditional drill. The vibration and noise of this instrument have struck fear into the hearts of many children and instilled a life long fear of the dentist in many. New high-pressure silicates are already in use in the United States and are essentially sand-blasters that use silica to grind down teeth and prepare them for fillings. Without the noise and vibration, these tools not only put the patient at ease, but are also more effective and accurate than the traditional drill.

Many new developments in this century have also made it possible for people to take better care of their own teeth at home. Special toothpastes have re-mineralisation properties that help to restore the enamel on teeth, preventing you from having to pay for expensive dental procedures. Affordable dental procedures are also now freely available to treat many ailments that before were either unfixable or incredibly expensive to correct. For instance, receding gums can also now be effectively treated by regenerating tissue through a simple graft procedure. Ceramic fillings are now also being more widely used thanks to both their aesthetic appeal and their durability.

Dentistry in the Future

Although only in the early stages of development and research, there are many new innovations in dentistry that are set to cause waves in the future. One of these is a toothpaste or mouthwash that has regenerative properties to repair hard tissue and essentially repair cavities. While still very far off in the future, this technology is not a myth and is expected to one day become a reality. Experts also envision that one day in the significant future, the technology will exist to re-grow teeth where they are needed, eliminating the need for dentures, implants and false teeth.

A Couple of Myths

As with any medical profession, many people dream up some fantastical scenarios that would be great if they were true, but they simply aren't. From magical mouthwashes that whiten teeth to a chewing gum that means you never again have to brush your teeth, the rumours in the dentistry world run wild. One of the more believed myths is that there will one day be a vaccination against tooth decay and gum disease. While there are constant improvements in technology, this is not foreseen any time in the future and rather a proper diet and good teeth maintenance are the answers.