Spotlight on Dentistry in Colonial America

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When you visit your dentist, you can learn about the vast array of state-of-the-art treatments that he or she has to offer. Today’s dental implants, veneers, and Invisalign treatment plans are all options that would have been practically unthinkable a few hundred years ago. Read on to learn a little bit about dentistry in colonial America.

In colonial times, dental health took a backseat to most other aspects of daily life. People lost their teeth young, and the average person did not brush his or her teeth. Toothaches ran rampant, and when they got too painful, some people would remove their own teeth. Unfortunately, this often led to even more serious oral health issues due to the harsh treatment. Early colonials went to blacksmiths or barbers rather than dentists, but the 18 th century saw the arrival of traveling dentists in America from Europe.

To see how far cosmetic dentistry in Chicago has come, please do not hesitate to call University Associates in Dentistry at (312) 704-5511. It is our job to offer high-quality procedures like dental implants, sleep apnea treatment, and teeth bonding. You can learn all about our services by stopping in to meet with us or by visiting our website today.

Paul Revere: Patriot, Dentist

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Many people know of Paul Revere for his participation in the Boston Tea Party and his creation of a lantern-lighting system which he used to alert the Minutemen of a British invasion in his famous midnight ride on April 18, 1775. What you may not know is that he was a dentist as well.

Paul Revere’s primary vocation was as a silversmith, but he supplemented his income by providing dentistry services as well. During Paul Revere’s time, dentures were handmade and constructed of a variety of materials, including silver. As a silver craftsman, it’s not too surprising that he expanded his services to include denture manufacturing. According to advertisements that he placed in a Boston newspaper, Paul Revere provided dental cleanings as well.

Are you looking for a high-quality dentist in Chicago for restorative or cosmetic dentistry services such as porcelain veneers? If so, call University Associates in Dentistry today at (312) 704-5511 to schedule your free dental consultation.

Dentistry in Ancient China

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dentistry in ancient china

Toothpaste has been around for over 2,500 years, dating all the way back to China and India. This fact, and many more, has played an important role in how modern dentists treat their patients. Modern dentistry can only be learned and improved by embracing the dentistry practices of the ancient past. Continue reading for a brief look into Ancient Chinese dentistry practices.

  • 2700 BC—Ancient Chinese dentists used acupuncture as part of their tooth decay treatment.
  • 500 BC—Chinese and Indians used toothpaste.
  • AD 200—Arsenic was used to treat tooth decay, most likely meant to kill the tooth pulp and relieve toothache pain.
  • AD 659—Li Shih-Chen formulated a silver and mercury mixture that was used for fillings.
  • AD 1490s—Coarse hog hair was attached to a bone or bamboo handle, and the common toothbrush was invented.

You won’t find hog hair and bamboo toothbrushes, but you will find some exceptional general dentists near Chicago when you call University Associates in Dentistry. We are here for our patients, whether they need veneers, teeth implants, or sports dentistry services. Call us at (312) 704-5511 or visit us online to schedule your complimentary consultation.

Spotlight on Dentistry in the Early 1900s

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dental history

As general dentists in Chicago, UAD knows that dentistry changes every day based on the products and procedures that are available. While modern dentistry now offers many relatively painless procedures to improve your smile, dentistry in the early 1900s was not quite as comfortable.

In 1903, Charles Land became the first dentist to design and place a dental crown. Dental crowns are now invaluable to modern cosmetic dentistry. A dentist uses crowns to restore teeth that have become irreparably damaged. Crowns also cover dental implants to provide permanent solutions for missing teeth. In 1905, German chemist Alfred Einhorn first formulated Novocain. Novocain is still used by dentists today. In 1930, the American Board of Orthodontics was established as the first specialty board in dentistry. 1945 kicked off the beginning of the water fluoridation era. Since then, fluoride has been added to almost all American public water systems. In areas where the water is not fluoridated, a general dentist may recommend fluoride treatments.

Get even more fun facts about general and cosmetic dentistry when you schedule an appointment with one of UAD dentist s. For all your dental needs, contact the Chicago office of University Associates in Dentistry by calling (312) 704-5511.

Dental Health Through the Centuries [INFOGRAPHIC]

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Dentistry dates back much further than many people assume. Even in ancient times, tooth decay was a concern—though then, decay was blamed on tooth worms. The first dentist appeared in ancient Egypt, and the ancient Greeks wrote extensively about dental care. However, it wasn’t until the 18 th and 19 th centuries that dental care really took off. During that time, a general dentist would do more than tooth extractions, and many experimented with rudimentary procedures for teeth implants and fillings. It is for good reason that dentistry began to expand during this time, as the introduction of high-sugar foods caused tooth decay cases to sore. Find out more about dental health and treatments over the years in this infographic from University Associates in Dentistry . At our practice, you’ll find the very latest advances in general and cosmetic dentistry in Chicago. Please share this fascinating information about the evolution of dental health care with your friends and family.

Spotlight on Dentistry in the Civil War

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dental history

Today, most people take it for granted that they can visit a dentist for safe and effective dental care. However, dentists during the Civil War had a much tougher job.

A dentist who treated Civil War soldiers was often confronted by teeth that had never even seen a toothbrush. Long before the times of porcelain veneers and teeth implants, Civil War era dental care had very few solutions for missing teeth. Although it may seem strange to think about a general dentist when the Civil War comes to mind, prospective soldiers were actually turned away from service if they had bad teeth. The rule was not strict by today’s standards. Soldiers could not fight if they did not have at least six opposing upper and lower teeth. These few teeth were required because soldiers actually had to bite off the ends of powder cartridges used in their rifles. If they could not, they were unable to load their guns. Beginning in January of 1864, the Confederate Army began conscripting dentists to pull teeth, fill cavities, and perform other essential general dentist services.

For more fun facts about general and cosmetic dentistry in Chicago, call University Associates in Dentistry at (312) 704-5511 today.

Spotlight on Dentistry in the Renaissance Period

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dental history

If you’re interested in general dentistry or cosmetic dentistry, you may enjoy learning about how dentists operated in the Renaissance period. The Renaissance period saw some important advances in dentistry, particularly in treating patients with missing teeth, damaged teeth, and crooked teeth.

The first dentists who practiced during the Renaissance were not very skilled at preventative dentistry or saving teeth from disease. Instead, they would simply extract a problem tooth using very primitive anesthesia. People who lived during this period were concerned with the appearance of their teeth, and would clean their teeth and mouth using powdered mint and salt scrubs. They even practiced teeth whitening procedures using charcoal and alum.

At University Associates in Dentistry, our dentists have vast experience in general dentistry, sports dentistry, teeth implants, and cosmetic dentistry in Chicago . We can provide you with a dental consultation to determine the most effective method for treating your dental problem. To schedule an appointment or to learn more about our general or cosmetic dentistry services, call us today at (312) 704-5511.

Dentistry in Ancient Greece

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Dentist Chicago

By now, visiting a general dentist twice per year for regular teeth cleanings is routine for patients of all ages. But cosmetic dentistry actually began thousands of years ago in ancient Greece.

Today, a dentist can be relied on to replace missing teeth, improve their cosmetic appearance with teeth whitening, and use teeth bonding to correct tooth decay. In Greece, patients who had cavities went through a much different treatment. A patient with a toothache was brought to a priest, who administered a sleep-inducing potion to ensure relaxation. If the treatment happened to be successful, a patient would be obligated to make a tribute to his or her dentist at the temple. Numerous stones carved in the shape of teeth have been uncovered at ancient temples.

Whether you are suffering from a cavity or want to inquire about teeth bonding, call for a complementary consultation with one of our general dentists at University Associates in Dentistry located in the Chicago Loop at (312) 704-551.

Cosmetic Dentistry Courtesy of the Mayans

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mayan dentistry

Your general dentist in Chicago may not have been around for 9,000 years, but both general and cosmetic dentistry certainly have. The earliest form of dentistry actually dates back to 7000 BC in modern-day Pakistan. At that time, tooth pain and cavities were cured by a dentist using a bone tipped with flint to drill into molars—so it is no surprise that there were also a lot of missing teeth! In ancient Egypt, one famous general dentist actually experimented with cosmetic dentistry, using teeth from donors to fill in the gaps for kings and queens. Fortunately, today’s bridges, crowns, and porcelain veneers are much more appealing ways to restore your smile.

A dentist today offers many more techniques in cosmetic dentistry, including teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. For a bright, white smile, contact University Associates in Dentistry of Chicago by calling (312) 704-5511. Our dentists also offer a full range of general dentistry services .

Spotlight on Dentistry in the Middle Ages

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general dentist Chicago

While you may not always enjoy visiting your dentist, dental patients in the Middle Ages really had it rough. In the Middle Ages, healthy, white teeth were considered to be signs of wealth and beauty, and people spent quite a bit of money on teeth cleaning and teeth whitening powders.

It was rare for anyone to suffer from missing teeth due to tooth decay, as people rarely consumed sugar during the Middle Ages. The infrequency of tooth decay was particularly beneficial due to the fact that only the wealthy could afford to replace missing teeth, using dentures made from cow bones or human teeth. Dentistry procedures and techniques were crude, and dental problems were often just treated by extracting a tooth. Barbers performed most procedures, and could also treat oral cancer by cutting out infected flesh and cauterizing the wound.

At University Associates in Dentistry, our dentists in Chicago use only the safest and most advanced methods of dentistry. We specialize in cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry, and sports dentistry, and can also provide sleep apnea treatment. To schedule a dental consultation with one of our experienced dentists, call us today at (312) 704-5511.

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