Traditional vs. Modern Dentistry: A Comparative Narrative Review

Huda Dilshad; Shipra Saxena

doi:10.37841/jidam.2026.v13.i3.005

Review

Article Type

2

Authors

15

References

📝Abstract

📥 Received: 24 June 2026 ✅ Accepted: 3 August 2026 📤 Published: 27 September 2026

There has been a tremendous growth in dental practice from ancient dentistry which relied on home remedies and cultural knowledge to modern dentistry that is characterized by technological innovation. Ancient dentistry provided affordability as well as accessibility but lacks scientific validation. In contrast, the modern one uses advanced technologies and artificial intelligence tools however it is not always supported by deep rooted beliefs and preferences of some people. This review aims to explore the new and old aspects of dentistry, comparing both in terms of their underlying philosophies, advantages and limitation.

Keywords: Traditional dentistry Modern dentistry Oral health care Cultural belief Scientific evidence

📋How to Cite

Dilshad H, Saxena S. Traditional vs. modern dentistry: a comparative narrative review. J Indian Dent Assoc Madras. 2026;13(3):28-30. DOI: 10.37841/jidam.2026.v13.i3.005

Dilshad, H., & Saxena, S. (2026). Traditional vs. modern dentistry: A comparative narrative review. Journal of Indian Dental Association Madras, 13(3), 28–30. https://doi.org/10.37841/jidam.2026.v13.i3.005

Dilshad, Huda, and Shipra Saxena. "Traditional vs. Modern Dentistry: A Comparative Narrative Review." Journal of Indian Dental Association Madras, vol. 13, no. 3, 2026, pp. 28–30. DOI: 10.37841/jidam.2026.v13.i3.005.

Dilshad H, Saxena S. Traditional vs. modern dentistry: a comparative narrative review. J Indian Dent Assoc Madras. 2026;13(3):28-30. doi:10.37841/jidam.2026.v13.i3.005

Dilshad, Huda, and Shipra Saxena. "Traditional vs. Modern Dentistry: A Comparative Narrative Review." Journal of Indian Dental Association Madras 13, no. 3 (2026): 28–30. https://doi.org/10.37841/jidam.2026.v13.i3.005.

📚References

1
Hussain A, Khan FA. History of dentistry. Arch Med Health Sci. 2014;2(1):106-10. doi: 10.4103/2321-4848.133850.
2
Coppa A, Bondioli L, Cucina A, Frayer DW, Jarrige C, Jarrige J, Quivron G, Rossi M, Vidale M, Macchiarelli R. Early Neolithic tradition of dentistry. Nature. 2006;440(7085):755-6. doi: 10.1038/440755a.
3
Dabry PP. Medicine among the Chinese. Paris: Member of the Asian League; 1863.
4
Boloor VA, Hosadurga R, Rao A, Jenifer H, Pratap S. Unconventional dentistry in India - an insight into the traditional methods. J Tradit Complement Med. 2014;4(3):153-8. doi: 10.4103/2225-4110.130951. PMID: 25161919.
5
Bharti R, Wadhwani KK, Tikku AP, Chandra A. Dental amalgam: An update. J Conserv Dent. 2010;13(4):204-8. doi: 10.4103/0972-0707.73380. PMID: 21217947.
6
Shahzad M, Ahmad HA, Ambadi S, Peterson S, Yang I. Traditional oral hygiene practices and their effectiveness: A systematic review of the evidence. Oral Health Prev Dent. 2026;24:107-18. doi: 10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2475. PMID: 41670379.
7
Janakiram C, Venkitachalam R, Fontelo P, Iafolla TJ, Dye BA. Effectiveness of herbal oral care products in reducing dental plaque & gingivitis–a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020;20:43. doi: 10.1186/s12906-020-2812-1.
8
Alanazi LM, Helal Alqallaf Z, Alghamdi WM, Alanazi AM, Alqarni SM, Alfozan M, et al. The hazardous effects of dental amalgam fillings in human body: A systematic review. J Pharm Res Int. 2021;33(49B):45-54. Available from journaljpri.com.
9
Konakanchi A, Alla RK, Rao SP, Kandikantla P, Ganta GK, Vallabhaneni S. Dental amalgam waste in dentistry: Sources, environmental impact and management strategies. Int J Dent Mater. 2025;7(4):109-115.
10
Monga DK, Bhateja S, Arora G. Dentistry in the modern era. J Surg Allied Sci. 2019;1(4):68-70.
11
Christodoulou M, Hunt M. Pierre Fauchard and the birth of modern dentistry: Le Chirurgien Dentiste, ou Traité des Dents. Faculty Dent J. 2025;16(3):82–3. Available via EBSCO.
12
Elad L, Hijazi T, Muwaquet S. Current trends in modern dentistry: Diagnostic sensitivity of AI in detecting dental conditions. A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent Oral Biol. 2024;9(2):1229.
13
Semerci ZM, Yardımcı S. Empowering modern dentistry: The impact of artificial intelligence on patient care and clinical decision making. Diagnostics (Basel). 2024;14(12):1260. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics14121260. PMID: 38928675.
14
Sailer I. Digital privacy in modern dentistry: Protecting patients beyond their teeth. Int J Prosthodont. 2025;38(3):277–8. Available via EBSCO.
15
Leggat PA, Kedjarune U, Smith DR. Occupational health problems in modern dentistry: A review. Ind Health. 2007;45(5):611-21. doi: 10.2486/indhealth.45.611. PMID: 18057803.

[1] 1
Hussain A, Khan FA. History of dentistry. Arch Med Health Sci. 2014;2(1):106-10. doi: 10.4103/2321-4848.133850.

[2] 2
Coppa A, Bondioli L, Cucina A, Frayer DW, Jarrige C, Jarrige J, Quivron G, Rossi M, Vidale M, Macchiarelli R. Early Neolithic tradition of dentistry. Nature. 2006;440(7085):755-6. doi: 10.1038/440755a.

[3] 3
Dabry PP. Medicine among the Chinese. Paris: Member of the Asian League; 1863.

[4] 4
Boloor VA, Hosadurga R, Rao A, Jenifer H, Pratap S. Unconventional dentistry in India - an insight into the traditional methods. J Tradit Complement Med. 2014;4(3):153-8. doi: 10.4103/2225-4110.130951. PMID: 25161919.

[5] 5
Bharti R, Wadhwani KK, Tikku AP, Chandra A. Dental amalgam: An update. J Conserv Dent. 2010;13(4):204-8. doi: 10.4103/0972-0707.73380. PMID: 21217947.

[6] 6
Shahzad M, Ahmad HA, Ambadi S, Peterson S, Yang I. Traditional oral hygiene practices and their effectiveness: A systematic review of the evidence. Oral Health Prev Dent. 2026;24:107-18. doi: 10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2475. PMID: 41670379.

[7] 7
Janakiram C, Venkitachalam R, Fontelo P, Iafolla TJ, Dye BA. Effectiveness of herbal oral care products in reducing dental plaque & gingivitis–a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020;20:43. doi: 10.1186/s12906-020-2812-1.

[8] 8
Alanazi LM, Helal Alqallaf Z, Alghamdi WM, Alanazi AM, Alqarni SM, Alfozan M, et al. The hazardous effects of dental amalgam fillings in human body: A systematic review. J Pharm Res Int. 2021;33(49B):45-54. Available from journaljpri.com.

[9] 9
Konakanchi A, Alla RK, Rao SP, Kandikantla P, Ganta GK, Vallabhaneni S. Dental amalgam waste in dentistry: Sources, environmental impact and management strategies. Int J Dent Mater. 2025;7(4):109-115.

[10] 10
Monga DK, Bhateja S, Arora G. Dentistry in the modern era. J Surg Allied Sci. 2019;1(4):68-70.

[11] 11
Christodoulou M, Hunt M. Pierre Fauchard and the birth of modern dentistry: Le Chirurgien Dentiste, ou Traité des Dents. Faculty Dent J. 2025;16(3):82–3. Available via EBSCO.

[12] 12
Elad L, Hijazi T, Muwaquet S. Current trends in modern dentistry: Diagnostic sensitivity of AI in detecting dental conditions. A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent Oral Biol. 2024;9(2):1229.

[13] 13
Semerci ZM, Yardımcı S. Empowering modern dentistry: The impact of artificial intelligence on patient care and clinical decision making. Diagnostics (Basel). 2024;14(12):1260. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics14121260. PMID: 38928675.

[14] 14
Sailer I. Digital privacy in modern dentistry: Protecting patients beyond their teeth. Int J Prosthodont. 2025;38(3):277–8. Available via EBSCO.

[15] 15
Leggat PA, Kedjarune U, Smith DR. Occupational health problems in modern dentistry: A review. Ind Health. 2007;45(5):611-21. doi: 10.2486/indhealth.45.611. PMID: 18057803.