History of Dental Plaster

Plaster of Paris, derived from gypsum, has been a key material in construction, medicine, and dentistry for centuries. Named after the gypsum deposits in Paris, its use dates back to the Neolithic era, with applications in Egyptian tombs and Greek and Roman interiors. After the 1212 London fire, King John mandated its use to reduce fire hazards. In dentistry, Philipp Pfaff (1756) pioneered its use for dental cast models. By 1844, plaster impressions for edentulous arches were introduced. In the 20th century, alginate replaced plaster impressions, though plaster remains crucial for dental modelling. Despite digital advances, its role in dentistry persists.