title: [Historical development of surgical wisdom tooth extraction].
abstract: Surgical removal of the wisdom teeth is a routine procedure nowadays. Only at the end of the nineteenth century the use of local anesthesia together with the development of radiology led to the establishment of surgical dentistry. Especially the technique of removal of the lower third molar was totally changed and modified many times, depending on the position of the wisdom teeth. First hand instruments were used; later, mechanical devices for bone resection and tooth splitting were employed. Since the 1950s, highly dangerous infections have become rare, thanks to the use of antibiotics. Many publications concerning incision procedure, bone resection and tooth splitting marked the following years.
authors.affiliation: Abtlg. für Mund-, Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgie, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Lorber
mesh_terms: D005858:Germany; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000266:history*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000266:history*