#TBT - The History of Braces

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When braces were first invented, they typically were reserved for those of wealth, or extreme cases of orthodontic deformations. Now, they are a routine dental procedure that both children and adults undergo to improve their oral health.

For this Throw Back Thursday, let’s take a look at a brief timeline of how they came to be what they are today:

• Braces seem to date back to ancient times. Archeologists have found many mummified remains in and around Egypt of people with metal bands and catgut around their teeth, dating back to 300 BC
• True progress wasn’t really seen until the 18th century when the concept of orthodontic braces started to appear in medical journals. Pierre Fauchard (the father of modern dentistry) published a book known as “The Surgeon Dentist” which documented numerous general dentistry topics, with a specific chapter devoted to orthodontics. This chapter explored ways to straighten teeth, including a concept involving the “Bandeau.” This device looked like a horseshoe, and would be inserted into a patient’s mouth to keep the natural arch of the teeth and mouth in place.
• Further along, in 1819 - the wire crib was invented, an early model of the dental brace we know today. In the same century, gum elastics were also used and X-rays were incorporated into orthodontic procedures.
• The first use of the word “braces” wasn’t until the early 1900s around the same time that Edward Angle, the father of American orthodontics, devised a system that classified anomalies of tooth positions and invented appliances and surgical techniques for their treatment. This system is still in effect today!

Braces have come a long way from using catgut to shift teeth into proper alignment. Even with all the advancements in these last 3,000 years - orthodontists predict the popularity of orthodontic treatment will only increase as the cost and length of treatment time decreases!

If you're seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, consult with one of our orthodontists here at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental & Orthodontics. Let us help you identify and reduce problems early on to make sure your child’s orthodontic experience is easier in the long run! Call us today!