Early dentistry was practiced as a part of general medicine. Aristotle wrote about ointments that helped to treat diseases of the teeth and oral tissues. He also talked about tooth extraction and the use of wires to keep jaws in place and bind loose teeth. A Roman named Celsus wrote of oral diseases, including bleeding gums and ulcers of the oral cavity. Arabian doctors designed special instruments to better clean teeth in the ancient days.
Italian sources mention the use of gold leaf as a dental filling material.
Oral whitening surgery is done by a dental physician. A dentist needs to go under the tooth and insert a whitening liquid. This is always an optional treatment. Something that causes the need to have this surgery are some kinds of acne treatment. The only way then to whiten the teeth is to have the oral surgery.