Northside Dental Clinic and the Evolution of Dental Fillings
Dental fillings have come a long way from even 20 years ago. Believe it or not, dental fillings trace their roots back to ancient times when human civilization was blossoming half a world away in the Middle East. In today’s blog from Northside Dental Clinic, we look at the evolution of dental fillings.
Ancient Civilizations
Researchers discovered the oldest-known use of dental fillings in Pakistan. These fillings dated back to around 7,500 to 9,000 years ago. In Europe, the oldest dental filling was found in a cave near Trieste, Italy. A single tooth had a filling made of beeswax. That was from around 6,500 years ago.
Ancient Egyptians used a mixture of barley, honey, and yellow ochre in an attempt to fill a loose tooth — this practice of dental filling dated back to 2,100 BC. Around 4,000 years later, modern dentistry came into being starting in the late 1700s.
First Mercury Amalgam Filling
In 1819, the first amalgam filling made of mercury was invented in England. Seven years later, the technology became widespread. Dentists and chemists experimented with other metals for fillings, such as tin, silver, and copper. Gold was also popular, but it cost more money.
It wasn’t until the mid-1990s when mercury amalgam fillings fell out of favor. Mounting scientific evidence pointed to the health problems caused by mercury, including multiple sclerosis, brain damage, cancer, and more.
Modern Day Cavity Fillings
Modern-day dental fillings are made of various materials, such as gold, porcelain, silver amalgam, and composite resin. Northside Dental Clinic uses white composite fillings that closely match the color of your teeth.
The idea here is to both protect your tooth from decay and to make your teeth have a natural color.
Related Post: How do fillings work to protect teeth?
As you can tell, the evolution of dental fillings has come a long way. And, according to experts, fillings are predicted to advance even further, thanks to technology.
Why Get a Filling From Us?
Our kind, caring staff makes sure your appointment for dental fillings goes smoothly and is as stress-free as possible. We’ll answer any and all questions you might have, including whether or not you can eat or drink after a filling.
Related Post: What should I do if my filling falls out?
Schedule Your Dental Filling with Northside Dental in Springfield, Missouri
Talk to the staff at Northside Dental Clinic about dental fillings. Does a tooth cause sensitivity? Do you notice some decay on a tooth? Our dentist may recommend a filling to stop further damage. Contact Northside Dental Clinic or call (417) 862-2468 for more information.