Historical Pathways Highlighting Misgivings and Misinterpretations in the Processes of Tooth Absorption & Resorption.

Historically the physiological or pathological loss of tooth structure in situ was deemed to be due to the 'absorption' of tooth structure due to the removal of the inorganic components of dentin and cementum by osteoclastic (dentinoclastic) cellular activity. This nomenclature and the activity that it represented was considered by almost all dental researchers and clinicians in the 1800s and early 1900s. The shift to the concept of 'resorption' occurred in the first half of the 20th century, with clarity emanating from significant research activity on the pathology of osseous structures, origin of osteoclastic cell types, and the function of periodontal ligament cells.

Some Gleanings on the Origin, Etiology, Nature and Development of Pulp Stones - 100-year Perspective.

Quite often in today's contemporary literature, phrases, or statements such as, or similar to the following, are often seen at the beginning of published manuscript, Often these types of statements are used as a justification or a rationale for the published paper that follows. However, when looking carefully at the purported issue or issues at hand, there usually is to follow that requires a passionate inquisitiveness, an intellectual persistence, and a monumental determination to find the truth…but even what is discovered in this relentless pursuit may not necessarily represent the truth that may remain elusive. Hence, this historical exposé will focus on a specific issue about a little tissue that most contemporary authors have passed off as a mysterious, unknown entity - From 1969 to 2021, there have been over 100 publications or more that have addressed pulp stones purely from an epidemiological or management standpoint, with minimal to no effort to identify their true source or etiology, which may be locked in the vaults of antiquity.

Gleanings on the Origins of Electric Pulp Testing.

Attempts to develop a test for pulp vitality has had a somewhat convoluted history, as the concept of 'vitality' has been the pivotal focus of , especially when using electrical stimulation. Some researchers attempted histological correlations while others focused exclusively on radiographic correlations to validate electrical methods of pulp testing. Some the early literature rightfully focused on the concept of sensibility (a contemporary term in common usage) instead of vitality.

Reflections on the Evolution of the Specialty of Endodontics in Colombia, South America.

The historical development of Endodontics as a specialty in Colombia, South America was due primarily to the influence of a few key endodontists from the United States and the industriousness and dynamic vision of leading dental professionals from Bogotá and Medellín, Colombia.

Some Historical Perspectives on the Use of Electrosterilization in Root Canal Disinfection.

Microbial control and tooth retention in dentistry have been paramount for all clinicians for over 130 years. However, in the late 1800s and early 1900s the dental profession was challenged to devise methods to eradicate microbial species from the root canal system if teeth were to be retained in symptom-free function. One system that was devised was electrosterilization and its variations, the roots and methods of which will be explored in this paper.

Is a Pulpless Tooth a Dead Tooth - An Age-Old Controversy that Lingers Today.

Leonard Koecker was outspoken in 1821 when he criticized the procedure of pulp extirpation and tooth retention, a procedure that had been advocated and practiced by Fauchard and others. He again registered his thoughts on this issue in 1826 in the publication of his textbook entitled He claimed the tooth was dead and a repugnant foreign body that impacted on the surrounding living tissues. This controversial position ensued for close to a century, with advocates for Koecker's position, especially in the time of the Focal Infection and those opposed who favored a biological/scientific approach to this issue.

The Roots of Pressure Anesthesia and its Contemporary Similarities.

For decades dentists have faced the challenge of achieving profound anesthesia in the presence of a severe tooth ache. Frequently this challenge was more acute when the tooth or teeth in question were mandibular molars. Over a 125 years ago this clinical dilemma was managed by using cocaine, both directly on an exposed dental pulp and often times using a solution of such injected directly into the pulp.

Historical Perspectives on the Use of Kalium and Natrium on Putrescent, Infected Dental Pulps.

In the late 1800s, subsequent to the identification of the role of oral bacteria in the demise of the dental pulp by Willoughby D. Miller, the dentist was faced with the major challenge of removing gangrenous pulp tissue from the small root canal spaces in the tooth. Under these clinical circumstances, investigators viewed the root canal contents as a test tube filled with gelatinous, decaying matter along with being overwhelmed by a wide range of bacterial species.

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Dental amalgams were first documented in China in the 7 century and appeared in Germany in the early 16 century. In the 1800s, amalgam became the dental restorative material of choice due to its low cost, ease of application, strength, and durability. Below are two vessels containing amalgam.

Inventing ways to salvage a tooth with extensive caries approximating the pulp (Intradental Purulence Evacuating Valve).

Tooth retention has always been the major goal of all dental professionals when possible. In the mid 1800s this attainment was a major challenge due to problems in dealing with deep caries and the potential for exposed and infected dental pulps. Although the diagnostic skills of the clinician during that era were not as honed as they might be today, they were still cognizant of dealing with compromised pulp tissue and its elimination from the root canal when necessary, however demanding.

Historical Perspectives on Mechanical Teeth Separators - Evolution and Function.

Ingenious dental professionals created teeth separators over 130 years ago that enabled the effective access to and restoration of interproximal tooth decay. Many companies claimed superiority in their products and key individuals expounded on their use. Because separators were often intertwined with matrix bands, confusion was present as both the separators and matrix bands were often referred jointly as matrices in textbooks, journal publications and dental catalogues.

Meyer L. Rhein and Mortarization - Controlling the Root Apex During Focal Infection.

Many stalwarts in the dental profession stood out during the conflagrations of the Focal Infection Era 100 years ago, in an attempt to prevent the wholesale extraction of teeth. One of these individuals, Dr. Meyer L.

Historical Perspectives on the Removal of Intraradicular Posts Prior to the Availability of Ultrasonic Applications.

For decades the dismantling of previous dental work to correct inferior root canal procedures or to address recurrent dental caries has provided a significant amount of work for the restorative dentist. When coupled with teeth that have been root treated and also have an intraradicular post or dowel, the clinician was often presented with the challenge of post removal, without fracturing the root, and revision (retreatment) of the root canal procedures. While today's contemporary dentistry has the wherewithal to use ultrasonic devices to loosen and remove the post, this was not always the case historically, and creativity in this process was the hallmark of many of our predecessors.

Managing a Complex Crown Fracture in 1892 - Treatment Highlights within Current Contemporary Practices.

Historically, many teeth that had been traumatized resulted in extractions and replacements with a fixed partial denture (bridge). However, in rare situations some clinicians provided creative approaches to tooth retention much like what is done today, 125 years later.