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Components of the dental unit
Components of the dental unit
Richard A. Glenner, DDS, Chicago
Before the energy crisis, the concern about conservation, and the invention of so many ma chines to make our lives easier, progress often was associated with the words bigger and bet ter. In dentistry, innovations in treatment methods and in motive power required that the dental unit become not bigger, but more compact, to be better. A dentist's equipment has always included some sort of chair and a light source. However, the dental unit, by the piece-by-piece incorpor ation of devices, was developed to ease the dentist's work. The first form of a dental unit was an instrument table standing alone or a bracket table attached to the chair. At first, the spittoon was either free standing or bracketed to the chair; later it was added to the unit. Fi nally, various electrical devices— lamps, the dental engine and drill, and syringes—as well as the cuspidor and saliva ejector were cen trally located on the unit. Innovations in treatment stimulated the in vention of some devices on the dental unit. For example, not until gold foil was introduced for fillings was the importance of the absence of moisture noted. Among the first fillings were lead and various gums which were inserted in what would be considered a superficial manner by today's standards.1 The presence of moisture was not considered objectionable. In his book ''Dental Surgery” (1826), Koecker did not mention the importance of a “dry cavity." Fitch, in "A Sys tem of Dental Surgery" (1829), mentions inci dentally the "wiping out of cavities with cot ton." The napkin was the first implement used to control moisture.1 About 1850, tissue was used for this purpose, although some dentists felt that perfect fillings could be made in the pres1 0 1 2 ■ JADA, Vol. 89, Novem ber 1974
T h e p a tie n t s h o w n in th is 1 7 th -ce n tu ry e n g r a v in g spit in to th e w o o d e n b u c k e t at h is feet.
T h e first e x a m p le f o u n d in th e lite ra tu re of a s p it to o n that w a s s p e c ific a lly d e s ig n e d a n d m a d e fo r d e n tistry is in M a u r y 's “T re a tise o n th e D e n ta l A r t , " p u b lis h e d in 1829 in P a ris.
ence of moisture and simply used the pressure of thumb and forefinger to exclude saliva.2 In 1850, William H. Dwinelle described his method of operating with a wax "cofferdam" built up around the tooth.2 In the same year, a notice appeared of a saliva collector, which re sembled a miniature fife and which was to be attached to the lower jaw to collect saliva.1 R. Arthur devised his saliva pump in 1854.3 W . H. Dibble, in 1866, combined a pump and tongue holder with an appliance for discharg ing saliva.4 Compression of the ducts of the sal ivary glands also was a method used during this period to control saliva. In 1857, Dr. Arthur recommended the use of cross-sections of rubber tubing stretched around the tooth where the cavity extended to or below the margin of the gingiva.1 The prin ciple was the same as that in Dr. Dwinelle's cof ferdam. About 1860, punk was used in place of cotton, flax, cloth, or paper pledgets. Sanford C. Barnum of New York achieved perfect dryness with the rubber dam. This de vice was immediately recognized by the dental profession and is considered one of the great est advances in operative dentistry. The inven tion of the saliva ejector by George B. Snow of
Buffalo, in 1867, permitted the effective remov al of excess saliva. In the early dental offices, much of the equip ment the dentist used was mounted separately on the wall or was hung from the ceiling. With the introduction of electricity to the offices, some devices such as hot-air syringe, cautery point, mouth lamp, mallett, and perhaps an atomizer were operated from electric switch boards. In 1915, the first complete, modern dental unit in the United States that centralized oper ative dentistry equipment was introduced. With these large units and stand-up dentistry, the clinician used the cross delivery system (reach ing across the patient to his instruments). The unit remained basically unchanged for about 40 years, until progress in the form of waterand air-driven equipment and the concept of sit-down dentistry required its modification. As the 1960s progressed, new equipment was developed for sit-down, four-handed dentistry. The delivery systems used are of three types: side, front, and back. Kilpatrick, Chayes, and Cox were among the developers of these sys tems. Today's units are more compact, more ac cessible for the dentist, and more convenient for the patient. Most are designed so that the dentist can work either in a standing or sitting position, with or without an assistant. They us ually have both high- and low-speed hand pieces, a high-speed suction cup, saliva ejec tor, and triplex syringe. Some of the newest units are shown at the end of this article. The tremendous advances in operating tech niques and equipment made in the past 100 years surely mean even more progress in the future will change the dental unit of today.
D r. G le n n e r 's a d d r e s s is 3414 W P e t e r s o n A v e , C h ic a g o , 60659. 1. D e x te r, |.E. A h is to r y of d e n ta l a n d o ra l s c ie n c e in A m e r ica. P r e p a re d u n d e r the d ir e c t io n o f th e A m e r ic a n A c a d e m y of D e n ta l S c ie n c e , P h ila d e lp h ia , S .S . W h it e C o ., 1876. 2. A n a c c o u n t o f th e p r o c e e d in g s o f th e n in t h a n n u a l m e e tin g o f th e A m e r ic a n S o c ie ty o f D e n ta l S u rg e r y . A m J D e n t S c i (2nd s e rie s) 1 :63 O c t 1850. 3. S a liv a p u m p . D e n t N e w s Letter 7:1 9 2 A p r il 1854. 4. O d o n t o g r a p h ic
S o c ie t y
of
P e n n s y lv a n ia .
Dent
C o sm o s
8 :3 6 A u g 1866. G le n n e r : D E N T A L U N IT S
■ 1013
C o m m e r c ia lly m a n u fa c t u re d s p it t o o n s w e re first s e e n in th e 1867 S. S. W h it e d e n ta l catalog. T h e m o r e e la b o ra te s p it to o n sta n d s w e re m a d e o f r o s e w o o d w ith w h ite m a rb le t o p s a n d co st u p to $40. H a n d s p it t o o n s o f th is era a ls o w e re e la b o ra te ly d e c o ra te d . T o d a y 's d e n t is ts take t h e f lu s h in g c u s p id o r fo r g ra n te d , b u t d e n t is ts o f th e 1860s h a d to c le a n th e ir s p it t o o n s after tre a tm e n t o f e a c h patient.
The S. S, White Dental Chair Tool-Tray and Spittoon Attachment, (Patented Feb. 8,1876.) This is a combination of Tool B racket. Spitt<«>n Bracket, and Tum bJer-Iiolder. I t is a modification of the O. € . W h ite attachm ent, purchased w ith the patents and patterns of his cimir in 1875. X-ever D ental Chair.
T h e first fo rm o f a d e n ta l u n it w a s a n in s tr u m e n t s ta n d w ith a b ra c k e t table. T h is in s tr u m e n t sta n d , to w h ic h b o t h a s p it to o n a n d a b ra c k e t table a re a tta ch e d , w as th e first d e n ta l u n it; it w a s p a te n te d in 1867. N o t ic e th e g a s b u r n e r a n d th e g la s s h o ld e r . T h e s p it to o n w a s m a d e o f b ra ss.
1 0 1 4 ■ J A D A , V o l. 8 9 , N o v e m b e r 197 4
I t has heen adapted to the S. S. W h ite P edai-
BDTLEB’S BEOTAX, SPITTOON.
B u tle r 's d e n ta l s p it to o n , «vhich a ls o w a s a tta c h e d to
r \
■e d e n ta l cha ir, d id n o t h a v e >b e e m p t ie d after tre a tm e n t
T
o f e ach pa tie n t s in c e it h a d a re s e rv o ir.
A fo r e r u n n e r o f th e sa liv a e je c to r w a s C o d m a n a n d S h u r t le f f's S a liv a P u m p , p a te n te d in M a r c h 1868. A d e n ta l ca ta lo g o f 1870 d e s c r ib e d h o w it w o r k e d : " W h e n e v e r saliva a c c u m u la te s to a n y e xten t, th e p a tie n t p r e s s e s th e b u lb , an d , b y its e x p a n s io n , a ir is e x h a u s te d fr o m the b o ttle o r re s e rv o ir, A , a n d th e saliv a f lo w s in to fill th e v a c u u m . "
W it h th e in t r o d u c t io n of g o ld fo il, th e d r y cavity w a s a n e c e ssity . S in c e th e pa tie n t w as o b lig e d to h o ld h is m o u t h o p e n f o r ra th e r lo n g p e r io d s , a m e c h a n is m w a s re q u ire d to d r a w o ff e x c e ss saliva. In 1876, G e o r g e B. S n o w o f B u ffa lo s o lv e d th is p r o b le m b y in v e n t in g th e saliva ejector. T h e d e v ic e o p e ra te d o n th e s ip h o n p rin c ip le . S u c t io n w a s o b t a in e d t h r o u g h th e p u ll o f a flo w in g stre a m o f w ater f r o m th e u p p e r to th e lo w e r g lo b e . T h e d e v ic e w a s first a w all fix tu re a n d later it w a s atta ch e d to a flo o r sta n d . In tim e, th e e je c to r w a s c o n n e c t e d w ith th e w ate r s u p p ly syste m .
In 1886, th e p a tie n t c o u ld b e k e p t b u s y o p e r a t in g th is h a n d sa liv a p u m p , a d v e rtis e d in th e C la u d iu s A s h a n d S o n s cat a lo g . T h e d e v ic e c o n s is t s o f a h a n d b e llo w s w ith t u b in g to w h ic h a m o u t h t u b e w a s atta che d. T h e sa liv a is d ra w n t h r o u g h th e m o u th t u b e a n d fo rc e d d o w n th e e xit p ip e b y c o m p r e s s io n o f b u lb B . A n y a d d it io n a l le n g th o f t u b in g that m a y h a v e b e e n r e q u ir e d fo r c a rry in g a w a y th e saliva w a s jo in e d to the e xit e n d b y m e a n s o f th e g la s s tu b e c o n n e c t io n C , w h ic h w a s s u p p lie d w ith th e p u m p .
A s e a rly as th e 1860s, d e n t is ts u s e d b u lb s y r in g e s (top) to e ith e r w a s h o u t o r d r y a ca vity p re p a ra tio n . T h is ho t-a ir s y r in g e (b o tto m ) w a s a d v e rtise d in th e C o d m a n a n d S h u r t le ff's 1882 ca ta lo g. T h e m e ta llic b u lb o f th e s y rin g e w a s h e ld in th e fla m e of a sp irit la m p fo r 30 to 60 s e c o n d s , a n d the p o in t o f th e in s tr u m e n t th e n w a s p la c e d in th e cavity to b e d r ie d . T h e in s tr u m e n t m a in ta in e d a h ig h te m p e ra tu re fo r t w o to th re e m in u te s. T h is s y r in g e a lso c o u ld b e u s e d c o ld to b lo w o u t c h ip a n d b u r d u s t fr o m th e cavity. (T h e first w a rm -a ir cavity s y rin g e w a s in t r o d u c e d b y D r. Taft o f O h i o in 1856.) W it h the a d v e n t of e le ctricity, s y r in g e s w e re d e v e lo p e d in w h ic h b o t h w a te r a n d a ir w e re h e a te d b y electricity.
T h is sta n d , p ic tu r e d in P r o s k a u e r 's “ P icto rial H is t o r y The
first
d e n ta l
p l u m b in g "F o u n t a in "
w as
u n it to
use
m o de rn
e jecto r,
W h i t c o m b 's
D e n ta l
h o ld e r s .
S p it t o o n ,
a d v e rtis e d
of
D e n t is t r y , "
b ra c k e t
table ,
c o m b in e s s p it to o n ,
th e and
saliva cu p
in
" D e n t a l C o s m o s " in 1867. In t r o d u c e d b y S. S . W h it e , it w a s a ls o th e first to in c lu d e a s e lf-c le a n in g c u s p id o r . In this u n it, th e w a te r w a s s u p p lie d t h r o u g h
T h is fo u n t a in s p it to o n , w id e ly u s e d in
se v e ra l p e r fo ra t io n s in a p ip e a r o u n d
th e 1880s, w a s a d ju sta b le to th e p o s itio n
t h e in n e r e d g e of th e b o w l. D r in k in g
o f th e chair. W a t e r w a s p ro je c te d fr o m th e r e v o lv in g jets in th e c e n te r o f the
w a te r c a m e fr o m th e b e a k o f th e m in ia tu re s w a n p e r c h e d o n a r o d o v e r th e
b o w l. T h e w a te r jet d e v ic e w as in v e n te d by
D r.
Redm an
of
L o u isv ille .
It w as
b a s in a n d w a te r tu m b le r. It w a s a v e ry
a d v e r tis e d
d e lic a te lo o k in g , o rn a te unit.
S h u r t le f f 's c a ta lo g a n d co st a b o u t $60.
1 0 1 6 ■ J A D A , V o l. 8 9 , N o v e m b e r 1974
in
th e
1882
Codm an
and
In
1898,
John
W eber
fo u n d e d
the
W e b e r D e n ta l M a n u fa c t u r in g C o ., a n d h is
p ro d u ct
w as
th e
first
fo u n ta in
c u s p id o r in w h ic h th e w ater c o u ld b e f lu s h e d aw ay.
A lt h o u g h
th e first s e lf - d e a n in g c u s p id o r w a s
m a d e in 1866, s p it to o n s w e re c o m m o n ly u se d u n til W o r ld W a r I. S m a ll s ta n d s s u c h as C la r k 's P o rta b le S ta n d w e re u s e d in a re a s o f th e c o u n try w h e re p lu m b in g w a s n o t available . In effect, t h e s e s ta n d s w e re th e f o r e r u n n e r s of th e m o b ile d e ntal ca b in e ts of tod ay.
T h e C la r k R e se r v o ir S p itto o n , a d v e r tise d b y th e M . F. P a tte rso n D e n ta l S u p p ly C o . in 1911, w a s “ u se fu l b y d e n t is ts h a v in g th eir o ffice s in ap art m e n ts w h e re it is im p o s s ib le to get p lu m b in g c o n n e c t io n s , o r in c o u n t ry p la c e s
w h e re
th e re
is
no
r u n n in g
w a t e r . '' T h e steel tan k, 34 in c h e s h ig h
T h e K e lls Electric S y st e m fo r E n g in e , M a lle t, a n d M o u t h -
a n d 8 % in c h e s in dia m e te r, h e ld 4 gal
L a m p , in v e n te d b y C . E. K e lls, w a s p a te n te d in 1887. It
of w ater.
w a s a f o r e r u n n e r o f th e m o d e r n d e n ta l u n it b e c a u s e the c o m b in a t io n of ele ctrical a p p a ra tu s, w ith a b ra c k e t table and
fo u n ta in
s p it to o n ,
fo r m e d
th e
b a sic
e q u ip m e n t
b r o u g h t t o g e t h e r in th e unit. G le n n e r : D E N T A L U N IT S
■ 1017
D is t r ib u t in g p a n e ls o r s w it c h b o a rd s w e re u s e d to s u p p ly c u rre n t to electrical d e v ic e s u s e d in th e d e n ta l office . S o m e o f t h e s e p a n e ls w e re m o u n t e d in w o o d e n ca b in e ts. T h e a d v e rtise m e n t f o r th is R itte r D is t r ib u t in g P a n e l ( s h o w n at right) calls it " a m o st e fficient e q u ip m e n t that w ill le n d t o n e a n d d ig n it y to th e a p p e a r a n c e o f a n y o ffic e . "
S. S. White Equipment Stand No. 3 ELECTRO DENTAI MF6 CO.
w ith R evelation L ight and Reid D istributing Unit | Patented j
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T 2> «P
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D istributing U nit No. 50 htnent to Equipment Stand No. 3
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Typical Features described on opposite page
ST VLE J X - 2 8 SW IT C H B O A R D T h is is th e first c o m p le te m o d e r n d e n ta l unit, in t ro d u c e d b y S. S . W h it e in 1915. E le ctricity c o u ld
d o a n y t h in g in th e d e n ta l o ffice , in c lu d in g
r u n n i n g th e fa n — if th e d e n tist m a d e th e c o n n e c t io n s co rre ctly. 1 0 1 8 ■ J A D A , V o l. 8 9 , N o v e m b e r 197 4
T h is W e b e r u n it o f 1916 w a s in effe ct a r e s e r v o ir s p it to o n that w a s c o n v e rt e d to a d e n ta l u nit. It w a s a tra n sitio n u n it fr o m the c u s p id o r s o f th e late 1890s a n d e arly 1900s to th e u n its d e v e lo p e d after 1915.
T h e first R itte r D e n ta l U n it w a s in t r o d u c e d in 1917. T h e c u s p id o r , e le c tric a n d a ir in s tr u m e n ts a n d r e g u lators, s p r a y w a r m e r s a n d b o ttle s, s w itc h e s , a g a s cock,
fu se s,
th e
io n iz a t io n
so c ke t
te rm in a l
and
r e g u la to r a n d d ia l, air g a u g e s fo r th e h o t-a ir s y rin g e a n d air cu t-o ff, a n d call b e ll p u s h b u t t o n s , a m o n g o th e r ite m s, w e re in c o r p o ra t e d in to th e u n it. It is typ ic a l o f t h o s e u s e d in th e 1920s.
G le n n e r : D E N T A L U N IT S
■ 1019
Everybody Happy Pack up your trouble* In your old kit hag, A n d smile, smile, smile
a
/
D E N T IS T ~ instrum ents, engin t controls. Everything at the operator's hand.
I
T H E P A T IE N T The water glass is within re ach . T h e o p e r a to r doesn't have to reach acros s patient for in-
sm»ner>ts, OFFICE A S S IS T A N T Stream lines and absence o f pockets and angles make unit easy to keep clean.
T h e s e a d v e rtis e m e n ts fo r d e ntal u n its are fr o m is s u e s o f “ D e n ta l C o s m o s " in th e e a rly 1920s.
THE PLU M BERFinds the pipes easy to connect. There are only two unions. T H E SERVIC E M A N — Finds wires easy to get a t and sep tate frofes plumb ing. Covers removable.
A modern Operating Unit that is as Beautiful as it is Practical
Electro D ental M anufacturing Co. Philadelphia New York
Chicago
Los Angeles
Mxport Department; 149 Broadway, New York
Concentrated Efficiency The New ELECTRO DENTAL U N IT A C om plete Dental Office O p erating Equipment. Including Engine* Light, A uto m atic S w itc h b o a rd B rack et Table, Fountain Cuspidor, A ir C o m p re s s o r, S e t of I n s t r u m ents, H ot A ir Syringe, Cutoil, W ater Heater, A tom i zer H eater and A tom i zers, X -R ay P ic tu re Reader, Pedestal and Base. Furnished Regularly in Ma hogany Finish, for A lternat ing C u rren t o r w ith Rotary C o n v e r te r fo r D ire c t C urrent.
CLARK UNIT PEDESTAL Send for the new Unit catalog
In W h ite, Gray, or Black Enamel Finish, on special orders only.
Just off the Press
C o n su lt p o u r D ealer fo r fu r t h e r d e ta il*
ELE C T R O D EN TA L MANUFACTURING New York
A. G. CLARK & CO.
1 0 2 0 ■ J A D A , V o l. 89 , N o v e m b e r 1974
Grand Crossing, CHICAGO, ILL.
¿ P h ila d e lp h ia
Chicago
T h e W e b e r M o d e l E E m p ire U n it is typical o f t h o s e w id e ly u s e d in th e 1930s a n d 1940s.
In
th e
1950s w ith
th e
ad vent of
h ig h - s p e e d , w a t e r -c o o le d d rills a n d u lt ra so n ic c le a n in g m a c h in e s w h ic h u s e d a gre a t d e a l of w ater, th e n e e d fo r h ig h - s p e e d s u c t io n u n it s a ro se . T h e first u n it s w e re e ith e r atta ch e d to d e n ta l u n it s o r w e re k e p t o n o r in m o b ile carts o r tab le s. T h is A s p id e n t u n it is typ ic a l o f t h o s e u s e d in th e late 1950s a n d e a rly 1960s.
T h e S . S. W h it e M a s t e r U n it D -2 is typ ical of th e u n its in th e 1950s. A lt h o u g h s o m e u n it s w e re s m a lle r, th e c o n v e n t io n a l u n it s w e re d e s ig n e d to b e u s e d b y d e n t is ts in a s t a n d in g p o s itio n . H o w e v e r , w h e n th e d e n tist w o r k e d sittin g d o w n w ith th e p a tie n t c h a ir t ip p e d b a c k , th e u n it, b ra c k e t ta b le a n d in s tr u m e n ts , a n d s y rin g e s w e re t o o far fr o m h im . F u r th e r m o r e , the c u s p id o r w a s n o t p o s it io n e d c o n v e n ie n t ly fo r th e p a tie n t to u se . In th e 1960s, th e u n it b e c a m e m o re c o m p a c t a n d , in s o m e in s ta n c e s, th e d e v ic e s w e re p o s it io n e d in c a b in e ts. A ls o , p o rta b le u n it s w e re d e s ig n e d . G le n n e r : D E N T A L U N IT S ■ 1021
Spectrum I and Spectrum II, Dentsply International, Inc.
Biotec, Inc.
Time Chayvir, Chayes Virginia, Inc.
I 210, Midwest American
Superflex chair-mounted unit and Comfort Plus chair, Marco Dental Products, Inc.
jnit, Ritter Co., Inc.
Weber Dental Mfg Co.
First Team dental instrument delivery system, Litton Dental Products
Mini-Op self-contained hospital dental unit, A-dec
Den-Tal-Ez Mfg. Co.
Richard A. Glenner, DDS, Chicago
Before the energy crisis, the concern about conservation, and the invention of so many ma chines to make our lives easier, progress often was associated with the words bigger and bet ter. In dentistry, innovations in treatment methods and in motive power required that the dental unit become not bigger, but more compact, to be better. A dentist's equipment has always included some sort of chair and a light source. However, the dental unit, by the piece-by-piece incorpor ation of devices, was developed to ease the dentist's work. The first form of a dental unit was an instrument table standing alone or a bracket table attached to the chair. At first, the spittoon was either free standing or bracketed to the chair; later it was added to the unit. Fi nally, various electrical devices— lamps, the dental engine and drill, and syringes—as well as the cuspidor and saliva ejector were cen trally located on the unit. Innovations in treatment stimulated the in vention of some devices on the dental unit. For example, not until gold foil was introduced for fillings was the importance of the absence of moisture noted. Among the first fillings were lead and various gums which were inserted in what would be considered a superficial manner by today's standards.1 The presence of moisture was not considered objectionable. In his book ''Dental Surgery” (1826), Koecker did not mention the importance of a “dry cavity." Fitch, in "A Sys tem of Dental Surgery" (1829), mentions inci dentally the "wiping out of cavities with cot ton." The napkin was the first implement used to control moisture.1 About 1850, tissue was used for this purpose, although some dentists felt that perfect fillings could be made in the pres1 0 1 2 ■ JADA, Vol. 89, Novem ber 1974
T h e p a tie n t s h o w n in th is 1 7 th -ce n tu ry e n g r a v in g spit in to th e w o o d e n b u c k e t at h is feet.
T h e first e x a m p le f o u n d in th e lite ra tu re of a s p it to o n that w a s s p e c ific a lly d e s ig n e d a n d m a d e fo r d e n tistry is in M a u r y 's “T re a tise o n th e D e n ta l A r t , " p u b lis h e d in 1829 in P a ris.
ence of moisture and simply used the pressure of thumb and forefinger to exclude saliva.2 In 1850, William H. Dwinelle described his method of operating with a wax "cofferdam" built up around the tooth.2 In the same year, a notice appeared of a saliva collector, which re sembled a miniature fife and which was to be attached to the lower jaw to collect saliva.1 R. Arthur devised his saliva pump in 1854.3 W . H. Dibble, in 1866, combined a pump and tongue holder with an appliance for discharg ing saliva.4 Compression of the ducts of the sal ivary glands also was a method used during this period to control saliva. In 1857, Dr. Arthur recommended the use of cross-sections of rubber tubing stretched around the tooth where the cavity extended to or below the margin of the gingiva.1 The prin ciple was the same as that in Dr. Dwinelle's cof ferdam. About 1860, punk was used in place of cotton, flax, cloth, or paper pledgets. Sanford C. Barnum of New York achieved perfect dryness with the rubber dam. This de vice was immediately recognized by the dental profession and is considered one of the great est advances in operative dentistry. The inven tion of the saliva ejector by George B. Snow of
Buffalo, in 1867, permitted the effective remov al of excess saliva. In the early dental offices, much of the equip ment the dentist used was mounted separately on the wall or was hung from the ceiling. With the introduction of electricity to the offices, some devices such as hot-air syringe, cautery point, mouth lamp, mallett, and perhaps an atomizer were operated from electric switch boards. In 1915, the first complete, modern dental unit in the United States that centralized oper ative dentistry equipment was introduced. With these large units and stand-up dentistry, the clinician used the cross delivery system (reach ing across the patient to his instruments). The unit remained basically unchanged for about 40 years, until progress in the form of waterand air-driven equipment and the concept of sit-down dentistry required its modification. As the 1960s progressed, new equipment was developed for sit-down, four-handed dentistry. The delivery systems used are of three types: side, front, and back. Kilpatrick, Chayes, and Cox were among the developers of these sys tems. Today's units are more compact, more ac cessible for the dentist, and more convenient for the patient. Most are designed so that the dentist can work either in a standing or sitting position, with or without an assistant. They us ually have both high- and low-speed hand pieces, a high-speed suction cup, saliva ejec tor, and triplex syringe. Some of the newest units are shown at the end of this article. The tremendous advances in operating tech niques and equipment made in the past 100 years surely mean even more progress in the future will change the dental unit of today.
D r. G le n n e r 's a d d r e s s is 3414 W P e t e r s o n A v e , C h ic a g o , 60659. 1. D e x te r, |.E. A h is to r y of d e n ta l a n d o ra l s c ie n c e in A m e r ica. P r e p a re d u n d e r the d ir e c t io n o f th e A m e r ic a n A c a d e m y of D e n ta l S c ie n c e , P h ila d e lp h ia , S .S . W h it e C o ., 1876. 2. A n a c c o u n t o f th e p r o c e e d in g s o f th e n in t h a n n u a l m e e tin g o f th e A m e r ic a n S o c ie ty o f D e n ta l S u rg e r y . A m J D e n t S c i (2nd s e rie s) 1 :63 O c t 1850. 3. S a liv a p u m p . D e n t N e w s Letter 7:1 9 2 A p r il 1854. 4. O d o n t o g r a p h ic
S o c ie t y
of
P e n n s y lv a n ia .
Dent
C o sm o s
8 :3 6 A u g 1866. G le n n e r : D E N T A L U N IT S
■ 1013
C o m m e r c ia lly m a n u fa c t u re d s p it t o o n s w e re first s e e n in th e 1867 S. S. W h it e d e n ta l catalog. T h e m o r e e la b o ra te s p it to o n sta n d s w e re m a d e o f r o s e w o o d w ith w h ite m a rb le t o p s a n d co st u p to $40. H a n d s p it t o o n s o f th is era a ls o w e re e la b o ra te ly d e c o ra te d . T o d a y 's d e n t is ts take t h e f lu s h in g c u s p id o r fo r g ra n te d , b u t d e n t is ts o f th e 1860s h a d to c le a n th e ir s p it t o o n s after tre a tm e n t o f e a c h patient.
The S. S, White Dental Chair Tool-Tray and Spittoon Attachment, (Patented Feb. 8,1876.) This is a combination of Tool B racket. Spitt<«>n Bracket, and Tum bJer-Iiolder. I t is a modification of the O. € . W h ite attachm ent, purchased w ith the patents and patterns of his cimir in 1875. X-ever D ental Chair.
T h e first fo rm o f a d e n ta l u n it w a s a n in s tr u m e n t s ta n d w ith a b ra c k e t table. T h is in s tr u m e n t sta n d , to w h ic h b o t h a s p it to o n a n d a b ra c k e t table a re a tta ch e d , w as th e first d e n ta l u n it; it w a s p a te n te d in 1867. N o t ic e th e g a s b u r n e r a n d th e g la s s h o ld e r . T h e s p it to o n w a s m a d e o f b ra ss.
1 0 1 4 ■ J A D A , V o l. 8 9 , N o v e m b e r 197 4
I t has heen adapted to the S. S. W h ite P edai-
BDTLEB’S BEOTAX, SPITTOON.
B u tle r 's d e n ta l s p it to o n , «vhich a ls o w a s a tta c h e d to
r \
■e d e n ta l cha ir, d id n o t h a v e >b e e m p t ie d after tre a tm e n t
T
o f e ach pa tie n t s in c e it h a d a re s e rv o ir.
A fo r e r u n n e r o f th e sa liv a e je c to r w a s C o d m a n a n d S h u r t le f f's S a liv a P u m p , p a te n te d in M a r c h 1868. A d e n ta l ca ta lo g o f 1870 d e s c r ib e d h o w it w o r k e d : " W h e n e v e r saliva a c c u m u la te s to a n y e xten t, th e p a tie n t p r e s s e s th e b u lb , an d , b y its e x p a n s io n , a ir is e x h a u s te d fr o m the b o ttle o r re s e rv o ir, A , a n d th e saliv a f lo w s in to fill th e v a c u u m . "
W it h th e in t r o d u c t io n of g o ld fo il, th e d r y cavity w a s a n e c e ssity . S in c e th e pa tie n t w as o b lig e d to h o ld h is m o u t h o p e n f o r ra th e r lo n g p e r io d s , a m e c h a n is m w a s re q u ire d to d r a w o ff e x c e ss saliva. In 1876, G e o r g e B. S n o w o f B u ffa lo s o lv e d th is p r o b le m b y in v e n t in g th e saliva ejector. T h e d e v ic e o p e ra te d o n th e s ip h o n p rin c ip le . S u c t io n w a s o b t a in e d t h r o u g h th e p u ll o f a flo w in g stre a m o f w ater f r o m th e u p p e r to th e lo w e r g lo b e . T h e d e v ic e w a s first a w all fix tu re a n d later it w a s atta ch e d to a flo o r sta n d . In tim e, th e e je c to r w a s c o n n e c t e d w ith th e w ate r s u p p ly syste m .
In 1886, th e p a tie n t c o u ld b e k e p t b u s y o p e r a t in g th is h a n d sa liv a p u m p , a d v e rtis e d in th e C la u d iu s A s h a n d S o n s cat a lo g . T h e d e v ic e c o n s is t s o f a h a n d b e llo w s w ith t u b in g to w h ic h a m o u t h t u b e w a s atta che d. T h e sa liv a is d ra w n t h r o u g h th e m o u th t u b e a n d fo rc e d d o w n th e e xit p ip e b y c o m p r e s s io n o f b u lb B . A n y a d d it io n a l le n g th o f t u b in g that m a y h a v e b e e n r e q u ir e d fo r c a rry in g a w a y th e saliva w a s jo in e d to the e xit e n d b y m e a n s o f th e g la s s tu b e c o n n e c t io n C , w h ic h w a s s u p p lie d w ith th e p u m p .
A s e a rly as th e 1860s, d e n t is ts u s e d b u lb s y r in g e s (top) to e ith e r w a s h o u t o r d r y a ca vity p re p a ra tio n . T h is ho t-a ir s y r in g e (b o tto m ) w a s a d v e rtise d in th e C o d m a n a n d S h u r t le ff's 1882 ca ta lo g. T h e m e ta llic b u lb o f th e s y rin g e w a s h e ld in th e fla m e of a sp irit la m p fo r 30 to 60 s e c o n d s , a n d the p o in t o f th e in s tr u m e n t th e n w a s p la c e d in th e cavity to b e d r ie d . T h e in s tr u m e n t m a in ta in e d a h ig h te m p e ra tu re fo r t w o to th re e m in u te s. T h is s y r in g e a lso c o u ld b e u s e d c o ld to b lo w o u t c h ip a n d b u r d u s t fr o m th e cavity. (T h e first w a rm -a ir cavity s y rin g e w a s in t r o d u c e d b y D r. Taft o f O h i o in 1856.) W it h the a d v e n t of e le ctricity, s y r in g e s w e re d e v e lo p e d in w h ic h b o t h w a te r a n d a ir w e re h e a te d b y electricity.
T h is sta n d , p ic tu r e d in P r o s k a u e r 's “ P icto rial H is t o r y The
first
d e n ta l
p l u m b in g "F o u n t a in "
w as
u n it to
use
m o de rn
e jecto r,
W h i t c o m b 's
D e n ta l
h o ld e r s .
S p it t o o n ,
a d v e rtis e d
of
D e n t is t r y , "
b ra c k e t
table ,
c o m b in e s s p it to o n ,
th e and
saliva cu p
in
" D e n t a l C o s m o s " in 1867. In t r o d u c e d b y S. S . W h it e , it w a s a ls o th e first to in c lu d e a s e lf-c le a n in g c u s p id o r . In this u n it, th e w a te r w a s s u p p lie d t h r o u g h
T h is fo u n t a in s p it to o n , w id e ly u s e d in
se v e ra l p e r fo ra t io n s in a p ip e a r o u n d
th e 1880s, w a s a d ju sta b le to th e p o s itio n
t h e in n e r e d g e of th e b o w l. D r in k in g
o f th e chair. W a t e r w a s p ro je c te d fr o m th e r e v o lv in g jets in th e c e n te r o f the
w a te r c a m e fr o m th e b e a k o f th e m in ia tu re s w a n p e r c h e d o n a r o d o v e r th e
b o w l. T h e w a te r jet d e v ic e w as in v e n te d by
D r.
Redm an
of
L o u isv ille .
It w as
b a s in a n d w a te r tu m b le r. It w a s a v e ry
a d v e r tis e d
d e lic a te lo o k in g , o rn a te unit.
S h u r t le f f 's c a ta lo g a n d co st a b o u t $60.
1 0 1 6 ■ J A D A , V o l. 8 9 , N o v e m b e r 1974
in
th e
1882
Codm an
and
In
1898,
John
W eber
fo u n d e d
the
W e b e r D e n ta l M a n u fa c t u r in g C o ., a n d h is
p ro d u ct
w as
th e
first
fo u n ta in
c u s p id o r in w h ic h th e w ater c o u ld b e f lu s h e d aw ay.
A lt h o u g h
th e first s e lf - d e a n in g c u s p id o r w a s
m a d e in 1866, s p it to o n s w e re c o m m o n ly u se d u n til W o r ld W a r I. S m a ll s ta n d s s u c h as C la r k 's P o rta b le S ta n d w e re u s e d in a re a s o f th e c o u n try w h e re p lu m b in g w a s n o t available . In effect, t h e s e s ta n d s w e re th e f o r e r u n n e r s of th e m o b ile d e ntal ca b in e ts of tod ay.
T h e C la r k R e se r v o ir S p itto o n , a d v e r tise d b y th e M . F. P a tte rso n D e n ta l S u p p ly C o . in 1911, w a s “ u se fu l b y d e n t is ts h a v in g th eir o ffice s in ap art m e n ts w h e re it is im p o s s ib le to get p lu m b in g c o n n e c t io n s , o r in c o u n t ry p la c e s
w h e re
th e re
is
no
r u n n in g
w a t e r . '' T h e steel tan k, 34 in c h e s h ig h
T h e K e lls Electric S y st e m fo r E n g in e , M a lle t, a n d M o u t h -
a n d 8 % in c h e s in dia m e te r, h e ld 4 gal
L a m p , in v e n te d b y C . E. K e lls, w a s p a te n te d in 1887. It
of w ater.
w a s a f o r e r u n n e r o f th e m o d e r n d e n ta l u n it b e c a u s e the c o m b in a t io n of ele ctrical a p p a ra tu s, w ith a b ra c k e t table and
fo u n ta in
s p it to o n ,
fo r m e d
th e
b a sic
e q u ip m e n t
b r o u g h t t o g e t h e r in th e unit. G le n n e r : D E N T A L U N IT S
■ 1017
D is t r ib u t in g p a n e ls o r s w it c h b o a rd s w e re u s e d to s u p p ly c u rre n t to electrical d e v ic e s u s e d in th e d e n ta l office . S o m e o f t h e s e p a n e ls w e re m o u n t e d in w o o d e n ca b in e ts. T h e a d v e rtise m e n t f o r th is R itte r D is t r ib u t in g P a n e l ( s h o w n at right) calls it " a m o st e fficient e q u ip m e n t that w ill le n d t o n e a n d d ig n it y to th e a p p e a r a n c e o f a n y o ffic e . "
S. S. White Equipment Stand No. 3 ELECTRO DENTAI MF6 CO.
w ith R evelation L ight and Reid D istributing Unit | Patented j
% ■«'
r*
* < ' ""üPW N <0
T 2> «P
l" «K
D istributing U nit No. 50 htnent to Equipment Stand No. 3
&
! #
V
«à»'
o
*
¥
Typical Features described on opposite page
ST VLE J X - 2 8 SW IT C H B O A R D T h is is th e first c o m p le te m o d e r n d e n ta l unit, in t ro d u c e d b y S. S . W h it e in 1915. E le ctricity c o u ld
d o a n y t h in g in th e d e n ta l o ffice , in c lu d in g
r u n n i n g th e fa n — if th e d e n tist m a d e th e c o n n e c t io n s co rre ctly. 1 0 1 8 ■ J A D A , V o l. 8 9 , N o v e m b e r 197 4
T h is W e b e r u n it o f 1916 w a s in effe ct a r e s e r v o ir s p it to o n that w a s c o n v e rt e d to a d e n ta l u nit. It w a s a tra n sitio n u n it fr o m the c u s p id o r s o f th e late 1890s a n d e arly 1900s to th e u n its d e v e lo p e d after 1915.
T h e first R itte r D e n ta l U n it w a s in t r o d u c e d in 1917. T h e c u s p id o r , e le c tric a n d a ir in s tr u m e n ts a n d r e g u lators, s p r a y w a r m e r s a n d b o ttle s, s w itc h e s , a g a s cock,
fu se s,
th e
io n iz a t io n
so c ke t
te rm in a l
and
r e g u la to r a n d d ia l, air g a u g e s fo r th e h o t-a ir s y rin g e a n d air cu t-o ff, a n d call b e ll p u s h b u t t o n s , a m o n g o th e r ite m s, w e re in c o r p o ra t e d in to th e u n it. It is typ ic a l o f t h o s e u s e d in th e 1920s.
G le n n e r : D E N T A L U N IT S
■ 1019
Everybody Happy Pack up your trouble* In your old kit hag, A n d smile, smile, smile
a
/
D E N T IS T ~ instrum ents, engin t controls. Everything at the operator's hand.
I
T H E P A T IE N T The water glass is within re ach . T h e o p e r a to r doesn't have to reach acros s patient for in-
sm»ner>ts, OFFICE A S S IS T A N T Stream lines and absence o f pockets and angles make unit easy to keep clean.
T h e s e a d v e rtis e m e n ts fo r d e ntal u n its are fr o m is s u e s o f “ D e n ta l C o s m o s " in th e e a rly 1920s.
THE PLU M BERFinds the pipes easy to connect. There are only two unions. T H E SERVIC E M A N — Finds wires easy to get a t and sep tate frofes plumb ing. Covers removable.
A modern Operating Unit that is as Beautiful as it is Practical
Electro D ental M anufacturing Co. Philadelphia New York
Chicago
Los Angeles
Mxport Department; 149 Broadway, New York
Concentrated Efficiency The New ELECTRO DENTAL U N IT A C om plete Dental Office O p erating Equipment. Including Engine* Light, A uto m atic S w itc h b o a rd B rack et Table, Fountain Cuspidor, A ir C o m p re s s o r, S e t of I n s t r u m ents, H ot A ir Syringe, Cutoil, W ater Heater, A tom i zer H eater and A tom i zers, X -R ay P ic tu re Reader, Pedestal and Base. Furnished Regularly in Ma hogany Finish, for A lternat ing C u rren t o r w ith Rotary C o n v e r te r fo r D ire c t C urrent.
CLARK UNIT PEDESTAL Send for the new Unit catalog
In W h ite, Gray, or Black Enamel Finish, on special orders only.
Just off the Press
C o n su lt p o u r D ealer fo r fu r t h e r d e ta il*
ELE C T R O D EN TA L MANUFACTURING New York
A. G. CLARK & CO.
1 0 2 0 ■ J A D A , V o l. 89 , N o v e m b e r 1974
Grand Crossing, CHICAGO, ILL.
¿ P h ila d e lp h ia
Chicago
T h e W e b e r M o d e l E E m p ire U n it is typical o f t h o s e w id e ly u s e d in th e 1930s a n d 1940s.
In
th e
1950s w ith
th e
ad vent of
h ig h - s p e e d , w a t e r -c o o le d d rills a n d u lt ra so n ic c le a n in g m a c h in e s w h ic h u s e d a gre a t d e a l of w ater, th e n e e d fo r h ig h - s p e e d s u c t io n u n it s a ro se . T h e first u n it s w e re e ith e r atta ch e d to d e n ta l u n it s o r w e re k e p t o n o r in m o b ile carts o r tab le s. T h is A s p id e n t u n it is typ ic a l o f t h o s e u s e d in th e late 1950s a n d e a rly 1960s.
T h e S . S. W h it e M a s t e r U n it D -2 is typ ical of th e u n its in th e 1950s. A lt h o u g h s o m e u n it s w e re s m a lle r, th e c o n v e n t io n a l u n it s w e re d e s ig n e d to b e u s e d b y d e n t is ts in a s t a n d in g p o s itio n . H o w e v e r , w h e n th e d e n tist w o r k e d sittin g d o w n w ith th e p a tie n t c h a ir t ip p e d b a c k , th e u n it, b ra c k e t ta b le a n d in s tr u m e n ts , a n d s y rin g e s w e re t o o far fr o m h im . F u r th e r m o r e , the c u s p id o r w a s n o t p o s it io n e d c o n v e n ie n t ly fo r th e p a tie n t to u se . In th e 1960s, th e u n it b e c a m e m o re c o m p a c t a n d , in s o m e in s ta n c e s, th e d e v ic e s w e re p o s it io n e d in c a b in e ts. A ls o , p o rta b le u n it s w e re d e s ig n e d . G le n n e r : D E N T A L U N IT S ■ 1021
Spectrum I and Spectrum II, Dentsply International, Inc.
Biotec, Inc.
Time Chayvir, Chayes Virginia, Inc.
I 210, Midwest American
Superflex chair-mounted unit and Comfort Plus chair, Marco Dental Products, Inc.
jnit, Ritter Co., Inc.
Weber Dental Mfg Co.
First Team dental instrument delivery system, Litton Dental Products
Mini-Op self-contained hospital dental unit, A-dec
Den-Tal-Ez Mfg. Co.