Overview

During the years 1900 to 1949 major advances occurred in dental development. Improvements in dental drills and filling techniques, the advent of fluoride treatment, the development of orthodontics, and new ideas about the connection between teeth and the overall health of the body enabled the profession to advance as a major segment of the health care industry. These developments would set the stage for additional advances during the later half of the century.

Nearly all major dental specialties had their inception in the first half of the twentieth century: orthodontics, the science of straightening teeth, 1901; oral surgery, 1918; periodontics, treating gums and gum disease, 1918; prosthodontics, making dentures and bridges, 1918; pedodontics, children's dentistry, 1927; public health, 1937; and oral pathology, 1946. Only endodontics (1963) did not begin during this time.

Background

From the beginning of recorded history, dental problems have plagued human beings. Ancient chronicles tell of toothaches, dental...