Dentistry and dental care in antiquity: part 2 – Egypt and the Graeco-Roman World

This second part of the study on ancient dental care explores dental practices in ancient Egypt and the Graeco-Roman world, drawing on both textual and archaeological evidence to shed new light on dental care and early dentistry. The arid climate and distinctive burial customs of ancient Egypt have resulted in the exceptional preservation of numerous skeletal and mummified remains, allowing researchers to study the full spectrum of dental conditions across three millennia. While a few texts reference medicaments for dental care, there is scant osteological evidence for interventive dental procedures. In contrast, classical Graeco-Roman sources offer richer documentation of dental practices and the evolution of dental care; although, again there is limited archaeological evidence. Early Greek texts, including the Hippocratic Corpus and the writings of Aristotle and Theophrastus, lay the groundwork for understanding dental anatomy and basic dental treatment, while later, Roman authors such as Celsus, Pliny and Galen describe surgical extractions, prosthetics and pharmaceutical remedies in greater detail. By integrating these diverse lines of evidence, this analysis highlights both the advancements and limitations of ancient dental care, revealing the complex interplay between culture, diet and medical knowledge.