MEDIEVAL DENTISTRY: MYTHS, PRACTICES, AND HISTORICAL REALITY

Medieval dentistry is often portrayed as primitive, brutal, and dominated by superstition and ignorance. Popular narratives frequently depict tooth extraction as a crude procedure performed by untrained individuals using rudimentary tools. However, archaeological evidence, historical documents, and medical manuscripts reveal a more complex and nuanced reality. This article examines dental practices during the medieval period (approximately 5th–15th centuries CE), distinguishing myths from historical facts. Through an interdisciplinary analysis of bioarchaeological findings, medical texts, and social history, the study explores the prevalence of dental diseases, therapeutic practices, professional roles, and cultural perceptions of oral health in medieval Europe and the Islamic world. The findings demonstrate that while medieval dentistry faced significant limitations, it also incorporated empirical knowledge, specialized practitioners, and early preventive concepts that contributed to the foundation of modern dentistry.