The osteotome was developed in the 19th century for medical and surgical purposes, but is now mainly used in dentistry for precise bone cutting during implant procedures. The dental version is more durable and efficient than the original design.
Osteotomes are simple devices designed to help cut or in some way mark bone. Developed during the first half of the 19th century, the osteotome was often used in medical care settings and on the battlefront to treat patients who required a portion of bone removed to survive. While the instrument is rarely used for this purpose today, one form of the device is frequently used in contemporary dentistry.
The origins of the osteotome are usually traced back to the year 1830. Developed in Wurzburg, Germany by Bernhard Heine, the first device was a simple handheld tool that could be used to make cuts in the skull with greater precision than other types of knives and saws. Accessories were soon developed that made it possible to adapt this basic design for other uses, such as digging into the bone structure of the arms and legs, making it easier to cut through sections of bone that had become infected or were so badly damaged that repair was not possible. doable.
For the remainder of the 19th century and well into the 20th century, the osteotome continued to be an invaluable tool in the hands of physicians. The cutting osteotome could cut through an ulna or tibia more easily than any other device, which meant the patient would spend less time on the operating room table. A large part of the efficiency of use had to do with the fact that the surgical osteotome featured a cutting edge where both sides were bevelled. This was especially important in situations where the surgery was performed without any kind of deadening agent for the patient, other than whiskey or some other type of alcoholic beverage.
Over time, a form of osteotome was developed for use in dental procedures. Due to the high degree of precision that can be achieved with the device, oral surgeons are able to easily alter the quality and amount of bone around the implants to ensure a stable fit. The end result is implants that look natural and will cause the patient little or no discomfort during the recovery period and beyond.
The dental osteotome has been shown to be more durable than the surgical model. While osteotomes for use in dental implants have remained common today, more efficient tools replaced the older version of this cutting device in the 1920s. By the middle of the 20th century, the original design, along with its accessories, had virtually disappeared from use in most countries.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
