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The thousand-year history of tooth fillings: Do you know how ancient people repaired teeth?
Tooth filling, as a repair method, has a history of thousands of years. This process is not only an important part of modern dental care, but also reflects the evolution of human wisdom. From ancient attempts to use natural materials to today's high-tech synthetic materials, dental restoration technology and materials have continued to develop, and people are amazed at the evolution and inheritance of this technology.
Evidence of ancient healing methods
Archaeological evidence shows that in the Paleolithic Age in Italy, about 13,000 years ago, ancient people used pitch to fill teeth, while in Slovenia during the Neolithic Age 6,500 years ago, beeswax was used to repair cracks in teeth.
These findings not only reveal the ancient people's concern for dental pain, but also their creative solutions. Documentary records also show that between 23 and 79 AD, ancient Roman documents mentioned some filling materials to repair tooth decay.
Modern methods of tooth restoration
Modern dental restoration techniques are mainly divided into two types: direct and indirect restorations.
Direct repair
This technique involves placing a soft filling material into a prepared tooth and shaping it to its shape. This type of restoration is usually completed in one visit, and the choice of restorative material will depend on the location and severity of the tooth decay.
Indirect repair
Indirect restoration requires making dental impressions, and common ones include crowns, bridges, and porcelain veneers. This process usually requires multiple visits and requires the tooth to be completely treated to obtain a final restoration.
The evolution of repair materials
In modern times, dental restorative materials have been diversified, from early metal amalgams to currently commonly used resin and glass ionomer materials. These materials have a wide range and different properties.
Currently, dental filling materials include dental alloys, magnetic polymers, enamel, and glass ionomer cement. The choice of these materials is based on their durability, aesthetics, and compatibility with the tooth structure.
Advantages and disadvantages of tooth filling materials
In the past, amalgam was the most commonly used direct restorative material, favored for its good durability; however, as concerns about health risks have increased, many dentists have increasingly turned to more aesthetically pleasing materials such as composites resin. These materials have the advantage that the color can be adjusted to approximate natural teeth, but are generally not as durable as metal restorative materials.
Inspiration from ancient technology
From ancient asphalt to modern dental materials, the history of dental restoration tells an evolving story that illustrates the importance people place on dental health.
With the advancement of science and technology, modern dentists are still exploring new materials and technologies to provide better solutions to meet the needs of patients. Among the many options, the choice of material, the method of repair, and the patient's specific condition all influence the final outcome.
Thinking about the future through history
However, looking back at ancient technology, we can’t help but ask: In the evolution of these thousands of years, how will future dental restoration technology develop to meet today’s health challenges?
