Collection of dental keys, circa 1825. Actual dooor key included for comparison (left).

The dental key is an instrument that was used in dentistry to extract diseased teeth. Before the era of antibiotics, dental extraction was often the method of choice to treat dental infections, and extraction instruments date back several centuries. The dental key, (also known as Clef de Garengeot, Fothergill-Key, English-Key, Dimppel Extractor or Tooth Key) dates back to the 1700's and remained popular into the 20th century when they were replaced by the more modern forceps. Modeled after a door key, the dental key was used by first inserting the instrument horizontally into the mouth, then its "claw" would be tightened over a tooth. The instrument was rotated to loosen the tooth. This often resulted in the tooth breaking, causing jaw fractures and soft tissue damage. X-rays can reveal if a person has cavities Dentistry is the practical application of knowledge of dental science (the science of placement, arrangement, function of teeth and their supporting bones and soft tissues) to human beings. ... Types of teeth Molars are used for grinding up foods Carnassials are used for slicing food. ... An infection is the detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign species. ... Events January 1 - Russia accepts Julian calendar. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the...

llustration demonstrating the use of the dental key for extracting teeth. Drawing by Christophe Francois Delabarre, in "Odontologie, ou, observation sur les dents humaines", 1815, France.

The design of the dental key evolved over the years. The original design featured a straight shaft, which caused it to exert pressure on the tooth next to the one being extracted. This led to a newer design in 1765 by F.J. Leber where the shaft was slightly bent. Newer designs, such as those manufactured by medical instrument maker Charriere featured interchangeable claws. By the end of the 19th century, the introduction of forceps rendered the tooth key mostly obsolete, however, a modern version of the dental key, the Dimppel Extractor, briefly revitalized its use later in the 20th century. 1765 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Tooth
• Dentistry
• Dental cavities

Types of teeth Molars are used for grinding up foods Carnassials are used for slicing food. ... X-rays can reveal if a person has cavities Dentistry is the practical application of knowledge of dental science (the science of placement, arrangement, function of teeth and their supporting bones and soft tissues) to human beings. ... Tooth decay, or dental caries, is a disease of the teeth resulting in damage to tooth structure. ...

References

• Bennion, E. Antique Dental Instruments. London: Sotheby's Philip Wilson Publishers, Ltd., 1986.

• U.S. Naval Dental School. Handbook for dental equipment, maintenance and repair. For publication by Bureau of Naval Personnel. 1st ed. Washington, 1952.

• Colyer, F. A note on the dental key. Proc R Soc Med. (1951), 44(8):652-5.