History of Dentistry in the 18th Century

During the 18th century, France became the world leader in the field of dentistry and retained its position until about the middle of the 19th century, when it was surpassed by the United States. The man reputed to be the outstanding dentist of the day was Pierre Fauchard, who is often considered to be the founder of modern dentistry. In his book Le chirurgien dentiste (The Surgeon Dentist), which was published in 1728, he covered dental anatomy, tooth decay, medicines for treating diseases of the teeth, dental surgery, gum diseases, and other aspects of dentistry. He also devised the bandelette, an appliance for expanding crowded teeth.

Largely as a result of Fauchard's work, dentistry became a field of active study in France. Books were published on dental surgery, the anatomy of the teeth, dental instruments, and measures for preventing mouth diseases. In addition, two types of artificial teeth were developed. In 1774 an apothecary named du Château had a ceramist make a set of porcelain teeth for him, and in 1789, Dubois de Chémant, a dentist, received a patent for a new type of artificial tooth made of mineral paste.

Influenced by the work of French dentists, men in other parts of Europe began publishing books on various aspects of dentistry. In Germany, Philipp Pfaff wrote a book in which he attributed dental decay to the putrefaction of food particles caught between the teeth. In England several scientists, including the physician John Hunter, published outstanding books on dentistry. In Hunter's book, The Natural History of the Teeth and Practical Treatise on the Disease of the Teeth (1771), he included a description of the formation and growth of the teeth -topics that had previously been largely ignored. Joseph Fox, in The Natural History and Diseases of the Human Teeth (1797), advocated that the treatment of teeth be based on scientific knowledge and surgical experience. Other well-known works of the 18th century included Joseph Hurlock's Treatise upon Dentition, or the Breeding of Teeth in Children, which was published in 1742; Benjamin Bell's System of Surgery, published in 1787; and Robert Blake's Essays upon the Structure of the Teeth in Man and Various Animals, published in 1799.

Another major development in Europe during the 18th century was the introduction of the English key, or turnkey, a new instrument for extracting teeth. Unlike the pelican or other instruments, it removed teeth with a turning motion and could extract even the most firmly rooted teeth. The turnkey was first introduced around 1740 and this instrument soon became widely used, replacing both the pelican and the straight lever.

The development of dentistry in colonial America can be traced directly to France. During the American Revolution two French dentists, Joseph Le Mayeur and James Gardette, went to America and taught their techniques to men in the colonial army. Among these men was John Greenwood, who invented a foot-powered dental drill in 1785. In 1791 the first dental clinic to treat the poor was established in New York City, but throughout most of the colonial period dentistry was practiced by barbers, blacksmiths, jewelers, and itinerant quacks.