A Quick History Lesson About Dental Comfort

DID YOU KNOW THAT A DENTIST discovered anesthetic? It’s true. Life-saving surgeries were made possible in part by a dentist’s attempts to make his patients more comfortable!

Before the days of “preventative” dental care, painful tooth extractions were a way of life. Here are a few people who helped change that…

Horace Wells Discovered Laughing Gas At A Street Performance

Horace Wells was a Connecticut dentist. In 1844 he watched a traveling street show using laughing gas (laughing gas) to entertain passersby. Noticing that it dulled pain, he began experimenting with it in his dental practice!

The Power To Cure, From A Surgical Perspective

W.T.G. Morton and Dr. Wells were colleagues who experimented together to discover better pain-relief methods for their patients. Looking for something more consistent and powerful than laughing gas, W.T.G. Morton started using ether in his practice. The end result of that idea revolutionized medicine, as explained in this short video:

The Early 1900’s Brought Localized Anesthetic

Novocaine, administered to numb specific areas of the mouth, was discovered by German chemist Alfred Einhorn, and was brought into medical use by surgeon Heinrich Braun. Although novocaine is perhaps the most well-known local anesthetic, most dentists today use lidocaine, which is commonly considered less likely to prompt allergic reactions and is more consistent and efficient.

We’re On Dentistry’s Leading Edge For YOU!

Since Wells’ and Morton’s time, methods in patient comfort have been refined and perfected. We keep up-to-date with the latest technologies and techniques to provide the best oral health solutions for YOU, our valued patients and friends. If you ever have any questions about your dental comfort, please ask! We love to hear from you.

Thanks for your trust in our practice!

Pence Family Dentistry members of Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation
Voted best dentist in Indiana 2022 by Expertise
Pence Family Dentistry in Indianapolis is an American Dental Association member
International
Indiana Dental Association membership badge
Contact Us

    317-842-2337
    9744 Lantern Rd Fishers, IN 46037
    We are happy to welcome Dr. Richard Weber, DDS, and his patients to our practice!
    This is default text for notification bar

    TEXT OUR OFFICE

    Text message is limited to 160 characters.

    HOW IT WORKS

    1. Enter your Name.
    2. Enter your Cell Phone Number, area code first
    3. Enter your text message in the box.
    4. Click "Send Text"
    5. A copy of this text will be sent to the office and to your cell phone. The office's reply will also be sent to your cell phone where you can continue the text conversation.
    Note: Mobile message and data rates from your cell phone carrier may apply.Close ClickToCall Button
    NagiosCheckValue - Do not remove please