[Dentistry in antiquity].

Abstract

The Etruscan gold dental appliances to women of means were a remarkable start of the application of inserted teeth. The Romans that followed paid great attention to the dental system and the poet Martialis is one of the first Roman writers who speaks clearly of artificial teeth. Celcus, with his medical writings in eminent Latin, made a nice contribution to dental surgery and some of the prescriptions and remedies of Scribonius Largus were fairly effectual. Dioskorides distributed a most comprehensive pharmacological guide presenting a great number of medical applications - some related to teeth and gums. Plinius collected a celebrated encyclopaedia on medicine and natural science crammed with all sort of facts - some absurd. The passages concerning teeth and gums has thus got a miscellaneous description of current folklore and more reliable treatments. Galenos, after Hippocrates the greatest physician of ancient times, was a prolific writer. He produced medical reference books covering all medical branches that became authoritative for nearly two thousand years and the portions of dental treatments are detailed. The Romans had a widespread interest of mouth-care with toothpicks, mouthwashes, pain relieving remedies, the use of instruments and in some cases constructions of false teeth - but no real explanation of caries.

• Authors: B Berghult
• Journal: Svensk medicinhistorisk tidskrift (Sven Med Tidskr) Vol. 5 Issue 1 Pg. 131-46 ( 2001) ISSN: 1402-9871 [Print] Sweden
• Vernacular Title: Klassisk romersk odontologi.
• PMID: 11822412 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Historical Article, Journal Article)

Topics

• Dentistry
• History of Dentistry
• History, Ancient
• Rome