History of Tooth Extraction: 5th Century to Modern Day
This paper traces the history of tooth extraction from the 5th century through the present day. Beginning with barber-surgeons and crude instruments such as the dental pelican and dental key, the paper examines how primitive extraction methods gave way to more refined practices over centuries. It covers the contributions of key figures such as Pierre Fauchard, the introduction of anesthesia in the 19th century, and the shift toward preventive dentistry and tooth-preserving treatments in the 20th century. The paper illustrates how advances in tools, materials, and professional training gradually transformed tooth extraction from a feared and often barbaric procedure into a last resort within a broader system of modern oral healthcare.
- Introduction to Tooth Extraction: Definition, reasons, and types of extraction
- Tooth Extraction in the Past: Early Methods and Practitioners: Barber-surgeons, monks, and tooth-drawers
- Instruments of Extraction: From the Pelican to the Forceps: Dental pelican, dental key, and forceps evolution
- Dentistry in the 18th Century: Fauchard and Transplantation: Fauchard's contributions, transplants, and early dentures
- 19th Century: Anesthesia and Professionalisation: Anesthesia, vulcanite dentures, and x-rays
- 20th Century and Beyond: Preservation Over Extraction: Fillings, laser treatment, and preventive dentistry
- Conclusion: Reflection on progress from barbaric to modern dentistry
✍️ How to write this paper — guide, tools & examples ▾
What makes this paper effective
- The paper uses a clear chronological structure, moving from the 5th century through to the present day, making the historical progression easy to follow.
- It grounds abstract historical claims in concrete examples — such as the barber-surgeon's red-and-white striped pole and the mechanics of the dental key — helping readers visualize practices that are far removed from modern experience.
- The paper balances social history (who performed extractions and for whom) with technological history (instrument development), giving the argument both human and material dimensions.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates effective use of periodization as an organizational and analytical tool. Rather than simply listing facts, the author groups developments by century to show how changes in social structure, professional training, and technology were interconnected — for example, linking the rise of anesthesia in the 19th century to increased patient acceptance of extraction and, in turn, growing demand for affordable dentures.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a definition of tooth extraction and its current context, then moves backward and forward chronologically: early practitioners (5th–14th century), instrument evolution (14th–20th century), 18th-century professional developments, 19th-century anesthesia and mass dentistry, and 20th-century preventive care. A brief conclusion synthesizes the arc from barbaric necessity to modern last resort. Each section builds on the last, creating a coherent narrative of professional and technological progress.
Introduction to Tooth Extraction
The process of removing teeth from their dental sockets is referred to as tooth extraction (Vignoletti et al.). There are many reasons for extractions, but the most common is removal when teeth become unrestorable because of tooth decay, dental trauma, or periodontal disease. People resort to tooth extraction when these conditions are accompanied by toothache. Tooth extraction may also occur when teeth are crowded, creating space for the remaining teeth to grow or be straightened. Extraction was not only performed when a person's tooth was painful; it was also used as a pain reliever for other diseases.
Currently, tooth extraction is straightforward and is mostly performed while the patient is awake using only local anesthetic, which eliminates pain sensations. Tooth extractions are either surgical or simple. Simple extractions involve teeth that are visible in the mouth and are performed using local anesthetic. Teeth that cannot be accessed easily are extracted surgically. Lack of access most commonly means that the tooth has broken below the gum line.
Tooth Extraction in the Past: Early Methods and Practitioners
Dentistry as we know it today was not a recognized profession in the 5th century. Back then, dentistry was not a formal discipline, and unskilled people handled all dental problems. During that period, toothaches were painful and plentiful, and the only available remedy was extraction. Barbers used to double as dentists. They were designated as dental practitioners because they were experienced with handling knives and razors. Barbers handled any activity that involved bloodletting, and since tooth extraction involved bloodletting, they were the preferred people to perform it.
In Europe, monks performed tooth extractions as they were the most educated members of society. Monks were charged with performing surgery, dentistry, and the practice of medicine. However, the Church Council eventually prohibited monks from any activity involving bloodletting (Klein and Lorber). Barbers then became commonly known as barber-surgeons, and they displayed a red-and-white striped pole outside their shops to indicate that they performed bloodletting activities. Barber-surgeons eventually became distinguished from surgeons, who learned and specialized in complex surgical operations. Barber-surgeons remained popular until the 1700s because they were affordable and offered a range of services.
The wealthy could hire trained surgeons to perform tooth extractions, but the middle class sought the services of barber-surgeons. The poor who could not afford barber-surgeons turned to tooth-drawers — individuals who pulled teeth for entertainment purposes and were mainly found in marketplaces. Teeth were also extracted by tying a string to the tooth and having another person pull the string to remove it. Drummers in the background would increase the tempo of their playing to relax the person before the tooth was pulled. This was quite barbaric, but it represented a phase that people had to pass through in the past.
References
Clement, Milton A. "Dental Forceps." Google Patents, 2011. Print.
DiVito, E., O. A. Peters, and G. Olivi. "Effectiveness of the Erbium: YAG Laser and New Design Radial and Stripped Tips in Removing the Smear Layer after Root Canal Instrumentation." Lasers in Medical Science 27.2 (2012): 273–80. Print.
Klein, C., and C. G. Lorber. "[Historical Development of Surgical Wisdom Tooth Extraction]." Fortschritte der Kiefer- und Gesichts-Chirurgie 40 (1994): 113–16. Print.
Philippe, Julien. "Pierre Fauchard the 'Inventor' of Orthodontics." Journal of Dentofacial Anomalies and Orthodontics 14.01 (2011): 104. Print.
Vignoletti, Fabio, et al. "Surgical Protocols for Ridge Preservation after Tooth Extraction: A Systematic Review." Clinical Oral Implants Research 23.s5 (2012): 22–38. Print.
Wilson, N., R. Bairsto, and S. Gelbier. "Creating the John McLean Archive: A Living History of Dentistry." Dental Historian: Lindsay Club Newsletter 56 (2012): 70. Print.
Create your account
Always verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.