It might surprise most people to know that orthodontics are not a modern-day invention. In fact, people have been trying to straighten the position of teeth for hundreds of years—dating all the way back to 1000 B.C. Archeologists have discovered oral appliances in the mouths of bodies that have been unearthed. Similar findings have come to light with the ancient Egyptians as well.
Although some orthodontics, such as Invisalign invisible braces, have only been available from your Jensen Beach dentist since the late 1990s, it’s interesting to take a look back at some interesting facts about orthodontics over the years.
Fun Fact #1—Finger Pressure Was Used in an Attempt to Straighten Teeth
An ancient Roman named Aulus Cornelius Celsus kept detailed accounts of his attempts to use finger pressure at regular intervals in an effort to realign teeth.
Fun Fact #2—Orthodontic Braces Were Invented in the Early 1800s
But that didn’t mean a preoccupation with straight teeth didn’t exist well before that time. Although the methods for teeth straightening varied from culture to culture, depending on the times, their intent on getting a straight smile was quite clear.
Fun Fact #3—Brackets Were Not Glued to Teeth Until the 1970s
In the 1970s, a dental adhesive was used for the first time to glue brackets onto the teeth so the wires could be run through the brackets rather than between the teeth to keep the brackets in place. This was also when tiny rubber bands started to be used to adjust the movement of teeth.
Fun Fact #4—Invisalign Invisible Braces Were First Made Available to the Public in May of 2000
A real breakthrough for teeth straightening, these plastic aligners have only been around for about 20 years.
Orthodontic dentistry has come a long way since ancient times—and treatment is eminently more effective. If your misaligned teeth are causing you to be self-conscious about your smile, talk to us about Invisalign invisible braces. It’s never too late to have a straight, beautiful smile!