Quick history of orthodontics
Orthodontia or dentofacial orthopedics as it is otherwise referred to is the practice of the alignment of teeth. As a specialty field in the world of dentistry, restructuring the entire face, not just teeth using braces and night time retainers for the prevention of teeth crowing with each other. And let's face it, orthodontics is not the most wildly exciting conversation out there today but I personally know of many people growing up that had the need for a good orthodontist. The most I heard growing up was that it was too late for adults to leverage the specialty practice to realign teeth and/or jaws. Orthodontics treatments are available to people of all ages and incomes so that makes it super helpful for people who especially want to save money, look good, and get their teeth straightened all at once. But before looking at braces and orthodontists in general, I thought I'd put together some fascinating history that you might not have known about until now. This information comes from some very good people at the historical society of dentistry.
The practice of modern orthodontics begins with the treatment of improper bites or more scientifically called malocclusion. This could be caused by tooth spacing or tooth irregularities or even with the way a jaw is aligned. For quite some time the regular treatment for such a matter would to be fitting with stainless steel brackets that are glued to the front of the teeth. Once those brackets (braces) are in place a wire is then used mostly of stainless steel to force teeth into alignment by tightening. This is a painful and uncomfortable way that orthodontists used to correct crooked teeth. As modern materials and new practices have evolved braces are still the most widely used but now you could use plastic fitted trays.
The desire to have straight teeth is not a new concept and ways to correct this problem have been around for longer than you think. The discovery of mummified remains have been found to have metal bands like braces in the mouths of those ancients. What is now metal wire now to close the gaps of teeth was believed to be catgut, how gross!!
It was not really until around the 1700s that dentistry made exponential growth and was most commonly performed by your local barber believe it or not. It was not until a French Dentist by the name of Pierre Fauchard, around 1728, used a "Bandeau, " which is described in his book called "The Surgeon Dentist" as a horseshoe like metal piece. The real "modern" brace did not come around until the year of 1819, which had introduced "wire crib" that birthed modern orthodontics. Read this for more on the fascinating history of dentistry.
Watch this incredible video of before and after braces! Under 2 years.
Directory Links:
Chicago Orthodontist
The practice of modern orthodontics begins with the treatment of improper bites or more scientifically called malocclusion. This could be caused by tooth spacing or tooth irregularities or even with the way a jaw is aligned. For quite some time the regular treatment for such a matter would to be fitting with stainless steel brackets that are glued to the front of the teeth. Once those brackets (braces) are in place a wire is then used mostly of stainless steel to force teeth into alignment by tightening. This is a painful and uncomfortable way that orthodontists used to correct crooked teeth. As modern materials and new practices have evolved braces are still the most widely used but now you could use plastic fitted trays.
The desire to have straight teeth is not a new concept and ways to correct this problem have been around for longer than you think. The discovery of mummified remains have been found to have metal bands like braces in the mouths of those ancients. What is now metal wire now to close the gaps of teeth was believed to be catgut, how gross!!
It was not really until around the 1700s that dentistry made exponential growth and was most commonly performed by your local barber believe it or not. It was not until a French Dentist by the name of Pierre Fauchard, around 1728, used a "Bandeau, " which is described in his book called "The Surgeon Dentist" as a horseshoe like metal piece. The real "modern" brace did not come around until the year of 1819, which had introduced "wire crib" that birthed modern orthodontics. Read this for more on the fascinating history of dentistry.
Watch this incredible video of before and after braces! Under 2 years.
Directory Links:
Chicago Orthodontist
differences between orthodontists and dentists