Dentistry: a look backward and a peek into the future

From the time of Pierre Fauchard in the early 1700s, dentistry has undergone many changes. The introduction over the past two centuries of new materials and techniques has allowed dentists to perform wonders in tooth restoration and retention. Emphasis on better esthetics, more functional prostheses and greater pain control has led to the introduction of materials and techniques undreamed of only a short time ago. The future promises to reveal even more exciting advances.