Romans invented a dental device resembling modern orthodontic dental devices. Many Roman tombs were opened up by archaeologists only to discover that some teeth of the deceased had a small gold wire, known as a ligature wire, that was used to affix the arch wire to the bracket. The wire was bound to the teeth in an effort to force the teeth to move and close off noticeable gaps.
Although there is no date documented, this process was most likely before the start of our era. Before dental braces could be introduced to the general public, extensive medical and dental research needed to be conducted. Dental braces and the concept of orthodontic braces started to appear in medical journals and books around The Surgeon Dentist is a medical book published in by Pierre Fauchard.
Fauchard was a French dental surgeon notorious for his out of the box approach to dentistry. The Surgeon Dentist documented numerous general dentistry topics, but what made the book stand out in the world was a particular chapter devoted to orthodontics.
Pierre Bourdet dedicated a section of the book to exploring various methods that could be used to improve tooth alignment. The first monumental discovery was the theory that teeth in the back of the mouth wisdom teeth could be extracted to prevent overcrowding, which was the leading cause of tooth misalignment. Pierre Bourdet wrote extensively on how the device could be improved from its original concept. However, dentists were working diligently to create and improve the methods and techniques used to align and straighten teeth.
The world of orthodontics saw considerable advances that eventually led to the invention of modern day braces. Orthodontic advances between the early s and include:.
While the name may still be the same as the technique used in modern dentistry, the actual technique and devices used in orthodontics advanced considerably during the 20th century. The braces of the early s were dramatically different than the braces people think about today.
Dentists would individually wrap bands materials varied around each tooth. The bands would then be connected by a wire. The wire could be adjusted to apply pressure to the teeth in hopes of slowly moving them into proper alignment. There was no set standards in terms of what type of materials were used when the very first set of braces came into existence.
Some dentists used ivory, while others used wood, copper or zinc. However, there was one material preferred by dentists all over the world; gold. Gold was preferred by many dentists because the material is extremely flexible when heated. The gold could be shaped and molded to wrap around the teeth. Materials such as wires, bands, clasps, and spurs were made out of 14K and 18K gold.
While gold was preferred it was not commonly used for a number of reasons; mainly the price and frequent adjustments that were required. Gold was extremely expensive even in the early s, and not all patients could afford the added expense. In addition to the price of gold, patients who had gold braces required frequent adjustments from the dentist as the material would often start to grow soft due to body heat.
Silver was significantly cheaper than gold, but not as flexible. What an amazing program that helps families. He goes tomorrow for his first appointment to start getting his braces. Thanks SCL, you have made my son very happy. More people in need should know about this fantastic program".
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Once I was accepted it was such an easy process. Thank you so much!! I would recommend any one with low income and bad teeth to go through the process. Thankful for this program and staff that care. The bandeau was a metal strip shaped like a horseshoe designed to expand the dental arch and straighten teeth. The bandeau did not catch on due to the fact it was uncomfortable and expensive, but it inspired a huge surge in the field of orthodontics.
In , a dentist by the name of Pierre Bourdet further innovated and improved upon the bandeau. He also made the discovery that removing wisdom teeth can prevent them from crowding the mouth and pushing other teeth into a crooked position.
Cristophe-Francois Delabarre found an alternative to pulling teeth to fix overcrowding. He inserted threads and wooden wedges between the teeth to separate them and relieve overcrowding. The innovations of 18th century French dentists set a foundation for modern orthodontics and braces as we know them today.
In the 19th century, American dentists made even more advancements in orthodontics, using the French advancements as stepping stools to improve the patient experience. The following is a timeline of breakthroughs in the history of braces. The s saw some huge innovations for braces, making them similar in appearance to the braces we see today. Previously, the only way to adhere brackets to the teeth was by winding the wire around each tooth. Innovations in dental adhesives made it possible to place brackets directly on the teeth, allowing for a more comfortable experience.
Before the s, brackets were commonly made out of silver and gold, causing them to be extremely expensive. In the s, the shift to stainless steel brackets made braces a more accessible option.
Lingual braces placed on the backside of the teeth, facing the tongue were also introduced for people hesitant about getting braces for aesthetic reasons. Since the s, we have gone from rotary phones to computers in our pockets, playing Pong to virtual reality gaming available in our living rooms, and floppy discs to USB drives. Technology has also had a huge impact on braces. X-rays and 3D dental imaging allows orthodontists a better view of tooth structure, enabling better results for braces.
Universities throughout the world have since continued this training ever since, with graduating specialists now known as orthodontists. While the history of braces extends back to the ancient world, you can rest assured that modern braces are now crafted from the latest cutting-edge technology. February 18, Ancient civilisations that used braces for teeth When were modern braces invented? When were clear aligners invented?
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