60 years of Dentistry – what has changed?
- 1950 50% of all adults would expect to loose all their teeth and wear dentures during their life
- 1952 first dental Implant placed. Not widely used in UK until 1990s
- 1957 High-speed dental drills (Borden Airotor) released- 10 times faster so much more comfortable and quicker but are recognisable to a generation of patients due to their characteristic whine
- 1965 Fluoride toothpaste launched (Signal)
- 1970 Limited water fluoridation introduced in the UK
- 1980 Dental Composites – white fillings were greatly improved and released for use on back teeth
- 1990 Dental Lasers released for operating on gums and later jaw bone
- 2000s Now many children have no decay and can expect to keep all their natural teeth for the rest of their lives