American humorist and author Samuel Clemens was afflicted with
periodontal disease. While living in Hartford, Connecticut his dentist was Dr. John
Riggs who is considered to be the father of periodontics. Dr. Riggs studied under
another Hartford dentist, Dr. Horace Wells. Dr. Wells is a pioneer in the field of
anesthesia. In one of Clemensʼ posthumously published short stories, ‘Happy Memories
of the Dental Chair’, Clemens gives insights into the origins of periodontics and
anesthesia.
Keywords: Anesthesia, Elmira, hypersensitivity, nitrous oxide, oral hygiene,
periodontics, periodontist.
