A Brief History of Braces

                The desire for a perfect smile has been around for centuries. Scholars and historians say braces date back to ancient times. Works and studies of Hippocrates and Aristotle have been found dating back to 400-300 BC. Archeologists have also noted finding ancient Egyptian and Roman remains with metal and wires on their teeth-believed to have been used to help straighten teeth. One archeologist even discovered a Roman tomb in which the deceit’s teeth were bound in gold wire. They also discovered a written document explaining what the gold wires were used for. Although the ancients may not have had the savviest way of straightening teeth, they can be credited with being the first to try.

18th Century:  The French dentist Pierre Fauchard is known as the father of modern dentistry. In 1728, he published a book regarding various ways to straighten teeth. Fauchard also used a device known as the “blandeau” to widen the upper palate. Louis Bourdet, another French dentist, wrote a book in 1754 that discussed tooth alignment. Bourdet made strides as the first dentist to reduce teeth crowding.

19^th Century: Orthodontics became a specialty of its own during the early 19th century. The first wire crib was used in 1819, establishing the beginning of modern orthodontics.  During this period, gold, platinum, silver, steel, gum rubber, vulcanite and other metals were used as brackets.

·         In 1901, Edward Angle founded the American Society of Orthodontia, which was later renamed as the American Association of Orthodontists in the 1930s.

·         In the 1960s, gold was universally abandoned in favor of stainless steel brackets and wires. Twenty years later, tooth-colored aesthetic brackets made from single-crystal sapphire and ceramics became the go-to bracket.

Modern Day:  Orthodontists have made giant strides since the days of the ancients and those in 18^th and 19^th centuries. Treatment plans can be created using a 3D digital model; a computerized process can be used to customize your archwires and you now have the choice of clear braces, Invisalign or regular brackets. No matter your treatment plan, the developments made over the years have allowed for efficient, effective and comfortable braces for all.