Adults who had braces “back in the day” have probably already noticed that today’s braces have changed for the better in terms of discretion, comfort, and efficiency of treatment. But the history and evolution of orthodontics span a much greater period of time than just the few decades of innovation that we’ve been around to see. To fully appreciate how far braces have come, it’s enlightening to take a look at their most distant beginnings.
Pyramids, Mummies, and—Braces?
Believe it or not, the concept of straightening teeth with some type of braces dates all the way back to 1000 BCE. Archeologists have discovered Egyptian mummies with metal bands around their teeth. Instead of using a bracket-and-wire system like we’re familiar with, those early attempts used materials like gold wires and catgut to wrap around each individual tooth and apply pressure. While this isn’t the only evidence of early civilizations trying to straighten teeth, it’s one of the clearest early parallels to braces.
The Birth of Modern Braces
The first orthodontic appliance with a design more akin to modern braces was introduced in 1819 by French orthodontist Christophe-Francois Delabarre. His work was inspired by “The Surgeon Dentist,” a treatise on methods for straightening teeth published in 1669 by French dentist Pierre Fauchard. His innovation used thick metal bands positioned around multiple teeth in a row to hold them in place. From there, the design continued to evolve.
Braces in the 20th and 21st Centuries: How Have they Changed?
Some of the advances we take for granted as a standard part of orthodontic treatment only became common within the last several decades. Just like 1950s cars are treated like antiques today, 1950s braces can seem fantastically outdated compared to what is available today! Here’s how braces have changed in recent history:
1950s braces: Stainless steel was just being introduced into orthodontics, and X-rays weren’t routinely used for orthodontic treatment until the end of the decade. More importantly, braces back then used metal bands wrapped around each individual tooth, as the type of adhesive necessary to bond brackets to teeth hadn’t been developed for this purpose yet.
1970s braces: This decade is when braces took giant leaps forward. Direct bonding of brackets to the surface of individual teeth replaced the previous metal band technique. Lingual braces, in which brackets are attached to the inside surfaces of teeth so they are completely hidden from view, were also first developed during the ’70s, but they did not become commonly used then due to the specialized training required.
1980s and 1990s braces: In the 1980s, what we think of as “traditional” metal braces became quite common. However, clear braces were also invented in the ’80s and remain an attractive alternative for those who want a more discreet but familiar option. In the 1990s, using colored rubber bands to attach the archwire to the brackets was extremely popular with patients who enjoyed the opportunity to express their personal style in their orthodontic treatment. Clear aligners were also first developed in the 1990s, further increasing the available choices for discreet, effective tooth straightening.
Better Than Ever: Orthodontic Treatment Today
On top of the advances in braces themselves, modern digital X-rays and digital scanning make it faster and more comfortable for your orthodontist to see exactly what’s going on in your mouth to create a customized treatment plan. Now we don’t have to take molds of your teeth with clumsy trays filled with goo—we make digital scans for a complete visualization of your teeth, gums, and palate without any gagging or delays to create a model of your mouth.
The range of modern orthodontic treatments means that patients of all ages have choices that not only fit their lifestyle but also have them achieving the smile of their dreams in less time than they thought possible. At B Orthodontics, whether you’re considering braces or clear aligners for your child or teen or you’re ready to correct the crooked teeth that have been bugging you for years, we offer state-of-the-art solutions. To schedule your consultation, contact us here today.
