The History of Orthodontics

May 3
08:56

2012

Aaliyah Arthur

Aaliyah Arthur

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

Orthodontics has an impressive history that dates back to the early Egyptian times. Thanks to technology and computer science, a person can now get their teeth straightened using an impressive new form of braces that are in clear.

mediaimage
Dental braces are put on a person's teeth in order to align them so that they are straight. This will allow the person to bite and chew easier,The History of Orthodontics Articles as well as make their overall appearance more attractive. Braces are often utilized to improve things that are not perfect with the teeth and jaws. These things include overbites and crooked teeth.

Dental braces can be traced back to the ancient mummies. Some were discovered with metal bands around their teeth. Back in the early days, cat gut was utilized as a replacement for wire to close the gaps in between teeth. Around 500 BC, a Greek doctor, Hippocrates and Aristotle and a philosopher thought about various ways that they could make certain dental issues better like straightening teeth.

During the medieval times, people often complained about their crooked teeth. However, it wasn't until the 1700s, when orthodontics became a certified field of science. At the time, there was a French dentist whose name was Pierre Fauchard and he wrote a book that devoted an entire chapter to the different ways of straightening teeth. The French dentist utilized a metal device that looks like a horseshoe to widen the arch of the mouth. After that, another French dentist, Ettienne Bourdet, came up with the idea of removing premolar teeth so that there was more space inside the mouth and it eliminated overcrowding of the teeth.

There have been many advances in the orthodontic field since its establishment in 1819. It was established by Frank Delabarre who came up with the idea to wear a wire crib. Several decades later, Joachim Lafoulon started using the term orthodontia. Since then, there have been ongoing advances in dental technology; including x-rays.

During the early part of the 1900s, Edward H. Angle started the very first class of fixing teeth issues that now to this day is the heart of mainstream orthodontics. This class covers everything from the way that teeth are pointed as well as the way they fit inside the mouth. Mr. Angle is also notable for creating new dental devices. He also started the first college of orthodontics and started the American Society of Orthodontia.

As far as techniques in the orthodontic field, the very first orthodontists used different types of materials including steel, wood and ivory during the early part of the 1900s. Gold was used as wires and bands that went around each tooth. This was not always the best method to use because they had to be regularly adjusted. However, in the 1970s, major advancements occurred. These advancements included brackets that were bonded onto each tooth.

In the more recent years, braces have gone from metal to invisible. When invisible braces were first invented, ceramic was used. Now they are made of clear aligners that adjust the teeth in baby steps. The aligners are taken off when you eat or brush your teeth. It takes about a year to really see results with these clear braces. In addition, the clear braces need to be replaced every few weeks

Article "tagged" as:

Categories: