Aligned teeth are crucial for a beautiful smile and proper dental health. Orthodontics seems like a relatively new field of medicine, but the desire for straighter teeth dates back to ancient times. It sounds odd that early Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans considered the concept of braces long before modern days. Curious about how orthodontia came to be? Settle into a quick guide to the history of orthodontics.
Ancient Braces
Intriguingly, the concept of correcting teeth for a perfect smile is not new. In fact, some preserved skeletons in ancient Egypt had metal pieces and gold wire connected to their teeth which paved the way for more advanced methods of orthodontia.
According to an article by Milton B. Asbell, DDS, an ancient Roman called Aulus Cornelius Celsus provided the first-ever documentation of orthodontia. Celsus recorded his attempts to align his teeth by applying compression with his hands at designated intervals. Although he had some success, there is not much evidence supporting his method today.
16th-19th Centuries
In the 16th century, dentists made more progress. They used wax impressions to make teeth molds and make decisions on corrections. During this time, they described malocclusions or bad bites as “irregularities” and tooth repositioning as “regulating.”
France led the dentistry field in the 18th century. Pierre Fauchard gave orthodontia a scientific basis and is known as the “Father of Modern Orthodontia.” At this time, dentists paid little attention to bite function and only placed braces on the top teeth. Care was expensive; therefore, it was only for the wealthy.
J.S. Gunnell designed headgear in 1822 that fastens from the outside of the mouth to apply gentle strain on the teeth. However, headgear is often problematic, so the search for another solution continued.
Modern Orthodontics
Braces are widely known and needed today, but the past is essential to the present. Before the 1970s, orthodontists covered each tooth with metal bands, and each band was tied by a wire and gradually moved into place. However, the development of dental adhesives allowed them to bind the brackets directly to the teeths surface. Additionally, stainless steel replaced gold and silver as the most common metal used for wires because of its malleability, significantly reducing the cost of braces.
According to Total Orthodontics, the unique, heat-activated nickel-titanium metal uncovered by NASA in the sixties became accessible in the nineties and has been influential in fabricating archwires that move teeth quicker, with minor discomfort, and requiring fewer adjustments. The remedy that once took up to six years now only takes two years or less.
In the late nineties, clear aligners also came into the picture. These are plastic retainers that patients wear for a specific time to push the teeth into place gradually. They are a great alternative to metal braces for those who are not comfortable wearing regular braces.
It seems crazy to think about how far the field of orthodontia has come. Hopefully, you feel more informed and knowledgeable after reading this quick guide to the history of orthodontics. Making choices on behalf of your child is sometimes daunting, but we make this one easy. If you are looking for an affordable orthodontist, Elara Orthodontics is here to help!