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How Braces Have Changed Across History

Live Life Smiling

braces-history with beautiful girl
  • Holmes and Palmer Orthodontics
  • September 16, 2021

 

PICTURE AN ANCIENT Egyptian in braces. That mental image might not be too far from accurate. Admittedly, they used catgut and metal bands, and it was likely only part of burial rituals to make the dead person’s teeth look nice for the afterlife, but it’s still pretty cool. Other examples of ancient orthodontics were used in Ancient Greece and by the Etruscans, but let’s take a look at how braces have changed over the course of history.

The First Orthodontics

Around 400 BC, the ancient Romans were the first to use braces to straighten the teeth of living people. After about four centuries, Aulus Cornelius Celsus theorized that it may be possible to guide teeth into their correct position by manually applying pressure as they grow in. (Modern orthodontic research doesn’t support this theory, so don’t try it as a substitute for phase 1 orthodontics.)

The “Father of Modern Dentistry” and Braces

Despite the early efforts of those ancient Romans, not a lot happened for orthodontics until Pierre Fauchard came along in the 1700s. He invented a horseshoe-shaped piece of metal with holes throughout it called a bandeau. It was held in place with silk threads and meant to straighten teeth. He also pioneered an early version of dental splinting by tying two teeth together to keep a healing tooth in place.

We like Fauchard’s ideas better than Christophe-François Delabarre, who thought it would be a good idea to put wooden wedges between each tooth to treat crowding. No thank you!

Braces As We Know Them

The first form of headgear, called “occipital anchorage,” was developed in 1822 by J.S. Gunnell. In 1880, Edward Hartley Angle, the man we consider the father of modern orthodontics, formally identified the different types of bad bites (or malocclusions) and developed appliances to correct them.

Technology was a major limiting factor for all of these early orthodontists because they didn’t have things like bonding agents that make it possible to mount brackets onto the front of teeth. Instead, they had to wrap metal completely around each tooth in order to move them. When dental adhesive hit the scene starting in 1949, along with affordable stainless steel in the ‘70s, that began to change dramatically. Invisible aligners changed the game again in the late ‘90s.

The Wide Variety of Modern Orthodontic Options

No one in history has had it better for orthodontic treatment than we do in the 21st century. We stand on the shoulders of giants in the orthodontic field, and we can benefit from everything they discovered and built. Not only is treatment tailored to every patient’s individual needs, there are different types of appliances to choose from. Traditional braces with brackets and wires are often still the most effective option, but invisible aligners are great for people who want to avoid the banned foods list and keep a low profile with their treatment.

Schedule Your Initial Consultation

If you’ve been putting off orthodontic treatment for yourself, or if you have a teenager who might be ready to straighten their smile, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment! We can create the best plan for your teeth so that you can get the straight smile you deserve.

Thank you for being part of our practice family!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

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Patient reviews

EVERY SMILE TELLS A SPECIAL STORY

We are thankful for the opportunity to serve our community with excellent care and take pride in our mission of having a patient-centered philosophy. Check out what our patients are saying about us!

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Brent M.
My daughter was referred to this business for Invisalign/Braces. She chose to have Invisalign and the staff was very courtesy and informative throughout the process. When she had Invisalign put in I had many more questions to ask the staff afterward (due to her shyness not to do so...lol) and all were answered very quickly and with generosity. I would definitely recommend this place.
Beverly R.
My daughter Bailee went there today for the 1st time for a consultation and it went great. All the staff was super sweet and explained everything in detail. They made my 8 year old feel better about everything and not as nervous. Thank you all for that you did to make her feel comfortable!
Beverly R.
My daughter Bailee went there today for the 1st time for a consultation and it went great. All the staff was super sweet and explained everything in detail. They made my 8 year old feel better about everything and not as nervous. Thank you all for that you did to make her feel comfortable!
Kristen B.
So thankful for this fabulous group of Orthodontist & all their staff. They have made the process of having braces so smooth for my son & I. Everything has been exactly as they explained it at our first appointment. Everyone has such a positive and friendly presence!! We couldn't ask for better! Offering several office locations, makes scheduling appointments so convenient.
So thankful we chose THE BEST!!
Kristen B.
So thankful for this fabulous group of Orthodontist & all their staff. They have made the process of having braces so smooth for my son & I. Everything has been exactly as they explained it at our first appointment. Everyone has such a positive and friendly presence!! We couldn't ask for better! Offering several office locations, makes scheduling appointments so convenient.
So thankful we chose THE BEST!!
Kristen B.
So thankful for this fabulous group of Orthodontist & all their staff. They have made the process of having braces so smooth for my son & I. Everything has been exactly as they explained it at our first appointment. Everyone has such a positive and friendly presence!! We couldn't ask for better! Offering several office locations, makes scheduling appointments so convenient.
So thankful we chose THE BEST!!
Kristen B.
So thankful for this fabulous group of Orthodontist & all their staff. They have made the process of having braces so smooth for my son & I. Everything has been exactly as they explained it at our first appointment. Everyone has such a positive and friendly presence!! We couldn't ask for better! Offering several office locations, makes scheduling appointments so convenient.
So thankful we chose THE BEST!!
Kristen B.
So thankful for this fabulous group of Orthodontist & all their staff. They have made the process of having braces so smooth for my son & I. Everything has been exactly as they explained it at our first appointment. Everyone has such a positive and friendly presence!! We couldn't ask for better! Offering several office locations, makes scheduling appointments so convenient.
So thankful we chose THE BEST!!
Sara C.
Always a great experience at the Huntington location. My son likes everyone that he encounters there.
Sara C.
Always a great experience at the Huntington location. My son likes everyone that he encounters there.
Davon B.
Everyone was really nice. I was able to feel very comfortable for them to do treatment for my daughter. They have the best staff.
Davon B.
Everyone was really nice. I was able to feel very comfortable for them to do treatment for my daughter. They have the best staff.
Alicen M.
I had my first appointment yesterday and got my spacers and everyone was so super nice and friendly, I absolutely love this place and it's really cool and the best.
Alicen M.
I had my first appointment yesterday and got my spacers and everyone was so super nice and friendly, I absolutely love this place and it's really cool and the best.
Anabel B.
Really great environment, staff is very nice and listens to concerns, very helpful and exciting to see where my braces journey goes with this orthodontist.
Anabel B.
Really great environment, staff is very nice and listens to concerns, very helpful and exciting to see where my braces journey goes with this orthodontist.
Alicia M.
My daughter has just started her braces adventure here. She is very nervous, but all the staff have been very friendly and helped ease her anxiety. All the doctors are very personable and address my questions and concerns. They all take the time to explain every step to me and my daughter, and they don't rush us through just to get to the next person. I would highly recommend them to anyone!
Alicia M.
My daughter has just started her braces adventure here. She is very nervous, but all the staff have been very friendly and helped ease her anxiety. All the doctors are very personable and address my questions and concerns. They all take the time to explain every step to me and my daughter, and they don't rush us through just to get to the next person. I would highly recommend them to anyone!
Rosetta J.
It is so nice at their new location! We were taken back before a game of tic tac toe was even finished. Staff was friendly with a lot of new faces and Dr. Siraella auro was very welcoming.
Sara H.
They are awesome. They explain what they are doing not only to patient but to patient’s parents. 10/10 recommended.
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  • 2000 Carter Ave.
    Ashland, KY 41101
  • 606-388-2561

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