Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery - Dental Columbian Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 13 text:

b ' ■ ' Iivin L. Hunt, D.D.S. George F. Lindig, D.D.S. Daniel M. Kollen, D.D.S. Wm. Silvcrstcin, D.D.S. Assoc. Prof, of Dentistry .Assoc. Clin. Prof, of Asst. Clin. Prof, of Asst. Clin. Prof, of Dentistry Dentistry Dentistn J. V. Benfield. A.B., D.D.S. Inst, in Dentistry Harold Sherman. B.S.. D.D.S. Inst, in Dentistry Edward A. Cain. B.S.. D.D.S. Asst. Prof, of Dentistry Herbert P. Fritz. B.S., D.D.S. Inst, in Dentistry William Miller, B.S.. D.D.S. Inst, in Dentistry J. E. Fiasconaro, B.S., D.D.S. Inst, in Dentistry John D. Hogan, B.S., D.D.S. Jmf. in Dentistry fs ( O s ft lj b» 25: ▼, r%J a mk S. S. Scrivani, D.D.S. Joseph Leavitt, D.D.S. Wm. Raebeck Jr., D.D.S. Asst. in Dentistry Asst. tit Dentistry Asst. in Dentistry

Page 12 text:

Operative Dentistry The year 1900 marked the 60th anniversary of the founding of the first dental school at Balti- more. Where dentistry had been for many years little more than a craft society, men now began to inquire into the reasons for the conditions they were called upon to treat. In dental education the leaders realized the necessity of providing a broader base of culture upon which to build the skills, judgment and experience necessary for successful dental practice. The progress of research being of necessity a slow and painstaking effort it was but a natural consequence that the therapeutic side of dentis- try far outdistanced the research program. The announcement to the profession of the inlay technic by Dr. Wm. H. Taggart in 1907 provided dentists with a method of casting resto- rations for teeth which permitted the building up of large portions of teeth lost through caries where gold foil or amalgam could not be used. Later work by other investigators enhanced the value of the process. Amalgam has been the subject of much study and research with the result that dentists have but to master the manipulation of this material Carl R. Oman, D.D.S. Professor of Dentistry as made to specifications by the Bureau of Standards to achieve good and lasting results. Root Canal Therapy has been the subject of much study and has run the gamut of almost complete abandonment following Hunter ' s criti- cism of American Dentistry to the present time when Root Canal Therapy is a scientific pro- cedure with bacteriologic tests to indicate proper treatment and favorable prognosis. Recently direct resinous filling materials have been introduced and are receiving the enthusi- astic endorsement of the profession. It is hoped that thev will prove more lasting than the sili- cates. Improved gold foil technics such as the use of the pneumatic condenser have served to recom- mend the more widespread use of gold foil as a restorative mate rial. There never was a better one. New impression materials such as the hydro- colloids and the alginates provide elastic proper- ties to permit withdrawal over undercut areas without distortion. The use of diamond instruments and carbide burs for the more rapid cutting of tooth structure undoubtedly represents progress. A recent sensational development has been the introduction of the Airbrasive method of reduc- tion of tooth structure by means of which a stream of aluminum oxide suspended in CO2 is employed to cut rapidly and without vibration or pain. This is a new and as vet untried method which will be carefully watched and evaluated as more men qualify for its use. The use of radiographic, biologic and labora- tory aid in diagnosis and treatment planning and comprehensive diagnosis for mouth rehabilita- tion rather than individual tooth repairs marks a big step forward. We are making progress on every hand in research, materials, technics, and application and correlation. It is sincerely hoped that the study of dentistry as a profession will continue to at- tract the type of man who will adhere to the high ideals of its founders. Continuing along these lines, the next half century of dental progress will shine more brilliantly than have the past 50 years. Carl R. Oman

Page 14 text:

Prosthetic Dentistry The end of the 19th century saw dentistry as a young profession concerned primarily with the tooth and its surrounding tissue as an entity. Prosthetic dentistry was engrossed with the tech- nology of restoring or replacing missing teeth. (Development of materials, instruments, and methods was paramount.) Plaster of paris, vul- canite, wrought metals, and solder were the vehicles for prosthesis. The articulator was in its infancy; investigation of the function of masti- cation and mandibular movement was just begin- ning. With the turn of the century technological approach was modified by the realization that all sciences have much to contribute to dental investigation. The relation between dental and oral infection and svstemic conditions was of in- creasing concern and resulted in marked changes in prosthetic procedures. Asepsis, hygiene, and biologic compatibility became prime considera- tions in prosthetic design. Crown and bridge retention by the dowel crown was replaced by the coronal retainers on vital teeth. The casting process was introduced to dentistry in 1907 by Taggart and resulted in a vast technological change in prosthetic den- tistry. The development of hydrocolloids and alginates as impression materials has led to an accuracy that was unattainable previously. In the removable partial denture field the swaged base, wrought wire clasp, solder assem- bled denture was in wide use at the beginning of this period. Nesbit with his cast removable bridge was the forerunner of a wide acceptance of the one-piece, cast, removable partial denture. Full dentures have been improved through more complete understanding of the anatomy and physiology of supporting and contiguous structures. Wide study of mandibular move- ment, intraoral relations and occlusion resulted in improved artificial tooth forms, elimination of cuspal interference, and conservation of support- ing structures. Vulcanite as a denture base has been replaced by the plastics. The most significant development in dentistry and in prosthetics was the growth of emphasis on treatment planning. The viewpoint has changed from a narrow technological approach to a broader concept where the eradication and prevention of disease and the restoration and maintenance of masticatory function is the objec- tive of the dentist. The repair of the individual dental unit is incidental to a comprehensive treatment including diagnosis, prophylactic, sur- gical, and restorative care of the entire dentition. What lies ahead for dentistry in the second half of the twentieth century cannot be pre- dicted. It rests in the hands of the vounger and future members of the profession whose broader training and greater scientific knowledge will continue to advance dentistry as a branch of the healing arts. The Prosthodontia Staff has great confidence that the members of the Class of 1951 will con- tribute their share to the progress of their pro- fession. We all join in congratulating vou upon the completion of vour undergraduate training and wish you continued success in your future endeavors. Gilbert P. Smith Gilbert P. Smith. D.D.S. Professor of Dentistry 10