Methods used by dentists

International Congress at MNA.

Some methods used by dentists at the present day were performed by Prehispanic peoples to modify their teeth. This was pointed out by Socorro Ochoa Caceres, dental specialist at Hospital del Niño Poblano (Puebla Children Hospital), at her lecture ”Dental Filing: Esthetic and Therapeutic Purposes”, presented at the 10th International Congress Health Disease: From Prehistory to 21st Century, taking place at the Sahagun Auditorium, organized by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).

Socorro Ochoa mentioned that based on comparative documented studies regarding Prehispanic ancient teeth alteration techniques, she confirmed that some contemporary techniques have this fundament.

“Dentists use a technique named streeping or dental filing, performed under the same principles applied centuries ago; using them, Prehispanic dentists avoided tooth position loss and disarray” she stated.

Dental filing method is based on the insertion of files between teeth to devastate them and create the space needed to fasten orthodontic devises to the mouth.

Among ancient indigenous peoples, dental filing was linked to esthetic and therapeutic practices. Their knowledge about dental anatomy was extraordinary, and they could correct disarrayed teeth without affecting roots.

Stones such as jadeite, obsidian and flint, as well as leather, wood and vegetal fibers were used to modify teeth and have precious stones fixed. Having dental procedures was only allowed to hierarchs and elites.

In our days, teeth modifications are still performed in Angola, Panama, Venezuela and Brazil. The 10th International Congress Health and Disease activities develop from September 1st to 5th 2008, at the national Museum of Anthropology. Free admission.