"Postsurgical Healing and Pain"

The good old days, when we had no outside help to speed along Mother Nature's healing process, are happily in the distant past. They were part of an era of therapeutic scarcity. Dentists now have techniques to successfully combat the most difficult conditions.

THE AVENGED HUSBANDS ( From a Lithograph by GAVARNI )

To justify his presence with the wife of the dentist in her home, poor Adolph has a tooth pulled by her husband.

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This caricature demonstrates the accepted idea that all dental surgery was torture and, in this case, revengeful punishment.

Modern dental anesthesia, however, has demonstrated how much broader is the scope and finer the work that can be performed when the patient is relaxed and uncomplaining.

"TOOTHPICK" circa 1500 A.D.

A Toothpick from the Renaissance period in ITALY (circa 1500 A.D.) was worn on a chain around a nobleman's neck. Pictured above is Sammlung Marcuardi of Florence, Italy by Hans Von Schonitz.

Various toothpicks in the past 3000 years: Excavations in Peru brought to light a toothpick in the form of a bird's beak of the period 1450 to 1500 A.D. The handle could be used as an ear pick. This is in a museum in Cologne, Germany. Perhaps the oldest toothpick known to us- which was carried in an ornamental case attached to the belt- was found in the Royal Sepulchre of Ur, Mesopotamia (circa 1300 B.C.)The original is in Bagdad; a galvono- plastic copy is in the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

 

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I still remember my eldest dentist uncle, the second generation  dentist in the family, (I'm the last and the only third generation dentist) who always carries in his pocket a gold toothpick custom made for him by his laboratory technicians. Thus, up until around 60 years ago, some toothpicks had not changed since the 15th century.

Today, wooden, plastic and water toothpicks are used to remove the gross debris of masticated food from around and between the teeth. Dental floss though is most recommended and is considered to be more efficient by dentists.

 Toothpicks and dental floss can remove the gross food debris from around the teeth and gums. More important, however, than the removal of these food remnants is to aid the prevention of dental plaque and gingivitis by helping to reduce the more minute material that may gather around and adhere to the teeth as Materia Alba. A good routine program of oral hygiene that includes periodic visits to the dentist, regular brushing and using an oral irrigator (like Water Pik) everyday is necessary to successfully control plaque formation and gingivitis- providing a unique combination of advantages.

Comic Situation: Old Dentist Extracted Wrong Tooth.

"It still aches? Humph! That's strange!... I'm greatly afeard my dear sir; by the appearance of the tooth that i have taken out the wrong one!"

*Afeard | Define Afeard at Dictionary.com
dictionary.reference.com/browse/afeard




afeard. /əˈfɪəd/ adjective. (postpositive) an archaic or dialect word for afraid. Old English āfǣred, from afǣran to frighten, from fǣran to fear.


This comical, pathetic situation pictured here graphically demonstrates the tremendous advance that has been made in the management of dental disorders since that time.
The cure for toothache was the extirpation of the tooth. The generally mediocre knowledge of the classification of teeth and the lack of efficient diagnostic methods increased the probability of error.
The modern dentist uses all his skill and effort to preserve the natural teeth. Good oral hygiene adjunctive to regular care by the dentist is considered the best combination for the treatment and prevention of dental caries and gingivitis.

"WITH A BASKET OF EGGS TO PAY HIS DENTAL FEE"

This delightful painting provides much interesting information. The young patient in the chair has brought a basket of eggs to pay his fee. The young woman standing at the left is probably the next patient. She has brought a basket containing two prepared geese for her fee. The gentleman next to her is directing her attention to the operation while he slyly, behind her back, removes a goose from the basket.

Fortunately dentists today do not receive groceries as remuneration for their skillful services. Satisfied patients are happy patients who pay their fees in national currency for the effective care you have given them.

"FEELING OR PAIN"

An expert in the old language, Mr. James S. Holmes, gave the following explanation and translation of the verse  below the artwork:

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At the time this art was produced Philip IV was King of the Spanish Empire, which spread over most of the Americas and a great part of Europe. The Netherlands, where this art originated, was ruled by Spain as a Spanish Province. It was in a continuous state of rebellion against Spanish rule from 1570 until it obtained independence in 1648. Dutch--Low German-- was the language of these provinces, the same as the legend under the artwork.

Charles I was King of England. He was trapped in a life and death struggle with Parliament and Oliver Cromwell. Charles was destined to lose the contest, and his head.

Louis XIII was King of France. He and France were dominated during most of his rule by Cardinal Richelieu.

Germany and other Central Europe states were joined into an empire: The Holy Roman Empire, ruled by the Hapsburgs.

Gustavus Adolphus was the great conquering warrior of Sweden, whose empire made the Baltic a Swedish Lake; he eventually lost his life in a battle with the Polish Army.

WHAT HAS ALL THIS TO DO WITH DENTISTRY? NOTHING, except it is significant that the Artist selected Dentistry to illustrate FEELING OR PAIN :)

(* All of these created a desire to place this art and the artist in perspective with the personalities and happenings that influenced the world around them.)

A 1920 Artist's Concept of Aseptic Dentistry in the Year 2000.

The Cartoonist probably assumed that he was exaggerating when he drew this imaginative prophesy of things to come in Dentistry by the year 2000.

Scientific, medical and dental technology have advanced rapidly the past years. We have been able to place patients in a completely aseptic environment. They are surrounded by protective aseptic cover with built in arm and hand intrusions to permit the operator to place his hands inside of them for any procedures necessary without actually penetrating the aseptic environment.

We know that the mouth and the intestinal tract are inhabited by a flora of Bacteria. To eliminate all of them is an almost impossible task.

After an Engraving by Lithographic Artist CHARLES AUBRY (c.1810-1840)

Using a saber to extract a molar seems rather exaggerated even for this time and place of this caricatured etching. However, it provides us with a satirical insight into the tribulations endured by the unfortunate people who were afflicted with dental pathology at that time.

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Aubry, Charles (Saumur, Active c. 1810 - 1840)

Lithography was not invented in France, but it was the French who perfected the medium’s potential as a fine art form during its initial years. Such legendary masters as Delacroix and Gericault led the way yet, between 1810 and 1830, a host of other superb artists were bringing the original lithograph to the forefront. In fact, so many outstanding works were created in this field that the Restoration Salons began holding exhibitions solely in lithography as early as 1817.

Officially, portraits and historical scenes were encouraged. Domestic scenes, such as this example, were not common. Charles Aubry was an early lithographic artist who made his reputation with hunting scenes and military subjects. In 1822 he accepted the post of professor of art at l'Ecole Militaire de Saumur. Listings from the records of the Restoration Salon indicates that Charles Aubry contributed one lithograph to the 1824 exhibition. It is not known which  piece was submitted though. 

Hilarious Illustration of Dental Showmanship as practiced in the 17th Century.

While the Dentist triumphantly exhibits and show off the extracted tooth as evidence of his skillful surgery, another patient is trundled forward in a wheelbarrow, limply holding evidence that he has already imbibed some relaxing anesthetic.

FIRST REPRESENTATION OF A DENTIST, Circa 3000 B. C.

In studying this ancient carving of one of the earliest dentists with his instruments, we are privileged a rare peek through the haunted mists of time enshrouded antiquity.

It reveals the vulnerable age of the profession, which was well established before the birth of history. Also, by comparison and contrast, it projects our imagination through the magnificent evolutionary advances dentistry has accomplished across the centuries to our time.

OBSTETRICS AND DENTISTRY

OBSTETRICAL CHAIR IN USE

A reproduction of a sixteenth century woodcut appearing in "The Garden of Roses for Pregnant Women," by ROSLIN.

The obstetrical chair upon which women sat during childbirth is mentioned in the old testament. The Greeks occasionally used a special bed or couch for this purpose, but the obstetrical chair continued in general use until the seventeenth century and was often used as late as the nineteenth century. Many different types of chairs were designed, but the one shown here was recommended by EUCHARIUS ROSLIN in 1513.

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50%  of pregnant women have gingivitis in varying degrees. Clinical manifestation is primarily papillary. The papillae appear separated from the rest of the gingivae. The hypoplastic gingivae are very pliable and bleed on the slightest touch. No gingivitis in pregnancy will develop if there has been gingival inflammation prior to pregnancy that has been well treated.

The treatment of pregnancy gingivitis consists of root planing, curettage and good oral hygiene. Unhygienic conditions are prevalent in many cases. Root planing, followed by proper home care will usually maintain a healthy gingiva during the rest of the pregnancy.

"The DENTAL HYGIENIST"- Is this how it all started?

Today Dental Hygienists are members of an honored and respected profession. They are an important and useful asset to the practice of  Dentistry.

Limestone from Egypt 2000 B.C., as Vessels for Mouthwashing Ceremony

These ancient artifacts retrieved from an early civilization reveal that men and women over 4000 years ago made a ritual of rinsing the mouth. The practice of oral hygiene persisted and its benefits have been recognized by all the 200 generations of our ancestors since that time.

AN IVORY CARVING FROM SOUTHERN FRANCE, circa 1780

The phantom tooth worms have long vanished, along with many other fantasies of the superstitious past. They have been supplanted by the biologic concept of dental disease, which has inspired new knowledge for more intelligent and successful efforts to save the natural teeth.

The etiologic elements that cause caries and gingivitis, bleeding gums, Vincent's infection, or other periodontal conditions are at work 24 hours everyday, 365 days every year.

HOT DENTISTRY as practiced around 1100 A.D.

This old pen and ink drawing most interestingly portrays the use of fire to cleanse the mouth and destroy imaginary tooth worms. The fiery method of oral hygiene was performed preparatory to surgical procedures in the oral cavity.

When we look back at the early illustrations of the almost primitive practices of that time we must all surely realize how much better and easier life is today despite the threats and worries of our modern world.

A very old Advertisement showing how improved close-fitting rubber-based dentures could enhance the appearance of an Edentulous Person.

Today plastic has replaced Goodyear's rubber for the molding and fitting of dental plates with faithful, lifelike precision. We still believe that to save the patient's natural teeth is a far greater boon to his health and happiness. Modern dentists consistently save more natural teeth by treating the gingival inflammation that in former times remained neglected.

The successful treatment of gingival inflammation, bleeding gingivae and other periodontal conditions that result in gum recession and loss of teeth depends, not only upon the removal of all calculus and the correction of occlusion deficiency, but also upon the adjunctive cooperation of the patient at home.

DENTAL PROBLEMS OF FAMOUS HISTORICAL PERSONALITIES: Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington's DENTURES (1769-1852)

A comparison of the Duke of Wellington's dentures with the prosthesis worn by today's edentulous patient reveals the tremendous progress that has been made in this branch of Dentistry during the past- more than  100 years ago. The art of prosthetic dentistry has developed to a stage of sophistication where, to identify the individual who has substituted artificial dentures for the natural teeth is difficult indeed.

The starting period is the most difficult time in the patient's adaptation to new dentures because of possible complicating wounds, abrasions, inflammation, soreness and pain.

A Satirical Drawing on Dental Practice found in an Art Store in Munich, Germany- Circa 1970s

This artwork is directed against the poor quality of dental equipment that was available during that primitive period. The stinging humor of the artist pictures the equipment as something from the caveman in the stone age. The dentist and his patient are also drawn as stone age characters, indicating that he considered this a barbaric period in dental history. 

Contrast this picture with today's precise instruments, techniques and beautiful dental offices and clinics. Modern dentistry enhances the patient's happiness by stressing the importance of overcoming dental caries and periodontal disease to save the natural teeth and rescue him/her from an edentulous life.

SANS EFFORT- Exhibition of delicate caries curing technique ( From the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland )

Long ago dentists determined that the loss of teeth was due to tooth decay caused by the destruction of toothe enamel from acids, resulting in bacterial invasion of the pulp through the broken barrier.

Not too far wrong(!)

But if Dentistry ever discovers a way to prevent all tooth decay, the job of saving teeth will be less than half done- because more teeth are lost from gum irritation, inflammation and recession, than from tooth decay.

The Dentist, JAN LUIKEN'S Woodcut in ABRAHAM A SANCTA CLARA's work on professional ethics.

 

The DENTIST, JAN LUIKEN'S Woodwork in ABRAHAM A SANCTA CLARA'S work on professional ethics.

 

 

"If a man with aching teeth does not visit his dentist, the roots will also be decayed, producing an unbearable pain radiating from the mouth to other parts of the body. Delayed treatment will force the dentist to use his goat's foot to extract the decayed tooth; this will aggravate the pain. Our dentists, however, deserve high praise for their skill in performing even the most difficult procedures."

 From ETWAS FUR ALLE (Something For Everyone)- published in 1699 by ABRAHAM A. SANCTA CLARA.

 

 

 

How near to the truth they were in 1699. Today we believe that the destruction of the tooth enamel by acids resulting from bacterial metabolism of food deposits followed by bacterial invasion through the broken barrier is (among others) an accepted etiology for dental caries. 

 Good oral hygiene adjunctive to regular care by the dentist is considered the best combination for the treatment and prevention of dental caries.

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Luiken, Jan (1649-1712)

(Lifted from Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online)

Jan Luiken (Luiken, Luycken): famous engraver and poet, especially of devotional poems, born 16 April 1649, at Amsterdam, died there 5 April 1712. He became an apprentice in the atelier of Martinus Saeghmolen, and moved in a frivolous anti-church society. This is the period of his bombastic book of poems, Duytse Lier (1671), and his acquaintance with Maria de Oudens (1646-82), whom he married in 1672. Four of his five children died young. The oldest son, Caspar Luiken (1672-1708), was also trained as an engraver by his father, and supported his father during his last years. His work was chiefly in illustrating books. Of Caspar's work 1,187 pieces were extant in the 1950s.

In 1673 Jan Luiken was baptized in the Lamist Mennonite Church at Amsterdam, and shortly after joined the Mennonite congregation at Beverwijk, about 16 miles northwest of Amsterdam, though he was probably attracted by the Collegiant views of Paulus Bastiaensz of Beverwijk, where he stayed for a time. But the great change in his life came at a later period. The book Kort Verhaal van het Godvrugtig leven en Zalig Afsterven van Joannes Luiken(1712) reports, "In the twenty-sixth year of his life the Lord appeared in his heart in a powerful manner" (1675), whereupon, "afire with the love of God, he forsook his old bad company," to join the God-fearing. These were the followers of Jakob Böhme. There was at that time a colony of Böhme's disciples, under the leadership of Coenraad van Beuningen, a noted statesman, Professor Allardt de Raedt, and especially Johann Georg Gichtel, a lawyer who had been expelled from Regensburg. Galenus Abrahamsz, Mennonite preacher and physician, must have had some influence upon Luiken's conversion.

After his conversion Luiken withdrew from the church. In solitude he continued his etching and his contemplation; closely attached to a few kindred spirits, he wrote mystical poems tinged with pantheism. In the course of time these poems were considered orthodox and were held in high esteem in pietistic circles in the first half of the 19th century. With the publication of Hylkema'sbook Reformateurs (1900-1902) a new light was shed on these devotional poems, revealing their anti-church and heterodox character. Since then these poems have been even more admired.

A number of volumes of these lyrics, with artistic steel etchings, appeared in the course of time: Jesus en de Ziel (1678), Voncken der Liefde Jesu (1687),De Spiegel van het Menselijk bedrijf (1694), Zedelijke en Stichtelijke Gezangen (1704), Besehouwing der Wereld (1708), De Bykorf des Gemoeds(1709), Het Leersaam Huisraad (1709), De onwaardige Wereld (1710). After Luiken's death there appeared: Schriftuurlijke Geschiedenissen en Gelijkenissen (1712), Des menschen Begin, Midden en Linde (1712),Geestelijke Brieven (1714), Verzameling van Geestelijke Brieven (1741), Het Overvloeiend Herte (1767). A number of his poems are found in former Dutch hymnbooks, and even in the Doopsgezinde Bundel.

Ten years after Luiken's death the widow of Barend Visscher published a collection of ninety-two Luiken engravings, professedly among his best, illustrating events from early church history. Beneath each plate is a verse of six lines by Claas Bruin (1671-1732), who was a member of Luiken's circle of devotional poets. Opposite each plate is a poem by Pieter Langendijk (1683-1756).

Jan Luiken was a very important, versatile, and creative Dutch engraver and etcher in the period after Rembrandt; 3,275 works are known to be his. His favorite field was the illustration of books. In addition to travel literature and historical works he used many Biblical subjects. He made his own preliminary sketches; many of them can be seen in Amsterdam (Prentenkabinet and Museum Fodor); Haarlem (Teyler Museum), and Rotterdam, as well as in London (British Museum) and Vienna.

His work is distinguished for its clarity, especially in group studies. His best illustrations are found in his own books of poems. For the second edition (1685) of van Braght's Martyrs' Mirror he furnished 104 copper etchings, illustrating the martyrdom of Anabaptists and Mennonites of the 16th century. These plates with eleven additional plates from J. L. Gottfried, Historische Kronyck (Leyden, 1698), were reprinted at Leiden without van Braght's text, with French and German captions, and called Theatre des Martyrs. A Dutch edition was published in 1738 by Marten Schagen at Alkmaar. They also appeared in the 1780 edition of the Martyrs' Mirror printed at Pirmasens, and in 20th century North American editions. After the printing of the Pirmasens edition the plates were supposedly lost; in 1925 they reappeared in South Germany in private possession.

Portrait of Jan Luiken

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Abraham a Sancta Clara

(Lifted from WIKIPEDIA)

Abraham a Sancta Clara (July 2, 1644 – December 1, 1709), Austrian divine, was born at Kreenheinstetten, near Messkirch. His lay name was Johann Ulrich Megerle (Not to be confused with his uncle Abraham Megerle (de), composer (1607–1680)).

He has been described as "a very eccentric but popular Augustinian monk".

In 1662 he joined the Catholic religious order of Discalced Augustinians, and assumed the religious name by which he is known. In this order he rose step by step until he became prior provincialis and definitor of his province.

Having early gained a great reputation for pulpit eloquence, he was appointed imperial court preacher at Vienna in 1669.

The people flocked to hear him, attracted by the force and homeliness of his language, the grotesqueness of his humour, and the impartial severity with which he lashed the follies of all classes of society and of the court in particular. In general he spoke as a man of the people, the predominating quality of his style being an overflowing and often coarse wit. There are, however, many passages in his sermons in which he rises to loftier thought and uses more dignified language. He died at Vienna on 1 December 1709.

In his published writings he displayed many of the same qualities as in the pulpit. Perhaps the most favorable specimen of his style is his didactic novel entitled Judas der Erzschelm (4 vols., Salzburg, 1686–1695).

His works have been several times reproduced in whole or in part, though with many spurious interpolations. The best edition is that published in 21 vols. at Passau andLindau (1835–1854). See Th. G von Karajan, Abraham a Sancta Clara (Vienna, 1867); Blanckenburg, Studien über die Sprache Abrahams a S. C. (Halle, 1897); Sexto, Abraham a S. C. (Sigmaringen, 1896); Schnell, Pater A. a S. C. (Munich, 1895); H Mareta, Über Judas d. Erzschelm (Vienna, 1875).

SAINT APOLLONIA, Patron Saint of Dentistry

Suffering the forceful removal of all her teeth in a cruel and painful manner was part of the martyrdom of Saint Apollonia. She courageously endured the torture with faith and fortitude rarely exhibited by persons doomed to having their teeth extracted.

The unfortunate patient, who today is condemned to a loss of teeth by extraction made necessary by abscess or neglected periodontal disease, need not be a martyr. He/she will receive modern anesthetics and experience very little, and in many cases, no pain during the surgery.

DENTAL PROBLEMS OF FAMOUS HISTORICAL PERSONALITIES: "Dental Condition of GEORGE WASHINGTON"

Americans were early notorious for their bad teeth and American dentists developed ingenious techniques of repair and replacement.

John Greenwood made the prosthesis here illustrated for George Washington. It was spring-controlled & fitted with ivory teeth on gold plates. It was responsible for the look of unwonted sternness in his later portraits.

                      President George Washington’s dentures (circa 1795)

His dental problem started from his teenage years, losing teeth on a regular basis until he was down to only one premolar tooth on his jaw’s left side- when he took the oath of office as the 1st President of the United States in 1789 at age of 57. 

"19th Century Dental Laboratory"

This illustration is a very rare scene of an early dental laboratory. One of a series of caricatures of the 19th Century Parisian Dentist, GEORGES FATTET, sketched by Pingret and lithographed by ADAM for the Dentist's autobiography.

Fattet had similar caricatures drawn and published during the 1840's and 1850's to announce his mysteriously named "OSANORES" artificial teeth made from Hippopotamous tusk.

Dental supply houses a hundred years ago went far afield for their material as this advertisement from the National Gazette of December 9,1833 shows: TO DENTISTS, Just received and for sale, a small lot of very superior hippopotamus, or seahorse, teeth inquire of- WEIGAND AND SNOWDEN.

Dental Laboratories were numerous and a lucrative addition to the dentist's practice during the 19th century. Most of the population, young and old, had lost some or all of their natural teeth. Replacements were in great demand and expensive.

Periodontal disease was rampant and responsible for a great percentage of vanished teeth. People had not yet been informed concerning the danger to tooth survival of inflamed, bleeding gums and periodontal conditions. When they finally did see the dentist, it was too late. This was the era of extractions.