At our dental practice near Burlignton, we look to the complicated legacy of Horace Wells for inspiration. Horace Wells was a trailblazing dentist born in Hartford, Vermont. He dedicated his life to one mission: to remove pain and discomfort from dental procedures. His revolutionary work in the development of dental anesthesia at a time when dental treatments were done with no numbing or care for patient comfort, has paved the way for modern pain-free dentistry. This vision of patient comfort is something we strive to uphold in our dental practice every day.
Horace Wells: A Pioneer in Dental Anesthesia
In the early 19th century, Horace Wells, alongside his colleague William Morton, played a crucial role in the development of anesthesia for dental and medical applications. Wells began his dental practice in Hartford, Connecticut (yes, he moved from one Hartford to another) in 1836 at the young age of 21 and quickly rose to prominence.
The pivotal moment in Wells’s career came in December 1844 while attending a demonstration of nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas) by Gardner Colton. Wells observed a participant injure himself without feeling any pain when under the influence of the gas. Recognizing the potential for pain-free dental procedures, Wells conducted an experiment on himself. With Colton’s assistance, he had one of his own teeth extracted under the influence of nitrous oxide, experiencing no pain during the procedure. This marked the beginning of a new era in dentistry.
In January 1845, Wells sought to demonstrate his groundbreaking discovery to the medical community in Boston. Confident in the success he had experienced in Hartford, Wells presented his method at Massachusetts General Hospital before an audience of esteemed Harvard Medical School students and faculty. However, the demonstration did not go as planned. The patient moaned as if in pain, prompting the audience to deride Wells as a fraud. Cries of “Humbug” and “Swindler” echoed through the lecture hall, and Wells was driven out in disgrace. Despite the patient later confirming that he felt no pain, the damage was done. This public failure was a severe blow to Wells’s confidence and reputation.
Eventually he stopped practicing dentistry completely and started selling a type of shower he invented. When this didn’t prove fruitful he went to Paris to try and buy art in order to sell in the US for a profit. This venture was also not very successful.
During his trip to Paris though, he presented his findings to the Academie Royale de Medicine and the Parisian Medical Society. Though his journey to Europe did not yield immediate success, his contributions were eventually acknowledged. In 1910 the Fédération dentaire internationale dedicated a monument to him in Paris in order to honor his contributions to dentistry.
A Tragic End: Arrest and Death
Determined to find recognition and success, Wells moved to New York City in January 1848, abandoning his wife and kids. The move, however, took a toll on his mental health. Struggling with loneliness and homesickness, Wells began self-medicating with ether and chloroform. The effects of these substances led to severe confusion and a tragic incident on the night of his 33rd birthday. In a delusional state, Wells threw acid on two women in the street. Though the acid only burned their clothing, the act led to his arrest and incarceration in the infamous Tombs Prison.
In moments of clarity, Wells realized the gravity of his actions and the disgrace he had brought upon himself and his family. Overcome with despair, he took a large dose of chloroform and used a razor to slash a major artery, ending his life on January 24, 1848. Despite his tragic end, Wells’s contributions to dentistry and anesthesia have not been forgotten. He was later honored by both the American Dental Association and the American Medical Association for his pioneering work.
Continuing Wells’s Vision at Our Vermont Dental Practice Near Burlington
At our dental practice, we are inspired by Horace Wells’s pioneering spirit and dedication to providing pain-free, comfortable dentistry. We too strive to provide pain-free, comfortable dental care to all our patients. We take a compassionate and empathetic approach to dentistry, prioritizing our patients’ comfort and well-being. We believe in creating a relaxing environment where patients feel at ease from the moment they walk through our doors.
If you are looking for a dentist near you in Burlington that offers pain-free dentistry in a comfortable setting, we invite you to schedule an appointment at our practice.
