Orthodontic care has been needed since the earliest times, but evidence of its attempts was not observed until 1000 B.C. Orthodontics had a rough, but interesting start, from George Washington’s famous wooden teeth to the headgear devices that made children oh-so-popular in the 1970’s and 80’s.
The Early Days
Improperly formed bites and crooked teeth date back to the beginning of man. Evidence of attempts to fix these improper bites and crooked teeth date back to 1000 B.C. The “Father of Modern Orthodontics”, Edward Angle, was the first dentist to specialize in Orthodontics. He worked and taught in the United States in the late 1800’s and into the early 1900’s.
“The Golden Age of Regulating” refers to the 1880’s and 1890’s. This is when the practice of “regulating teeth”, or Orthodontics, began to take off. A plethora of new tools and methods were introduced. These devices and techniques could expand the dental arch, allow room for crowded teeth, and straighten crooked teeth.
The Beginning of Modern Children’s Orthodontics
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) was founded in 1900. The AAO’s mission is to advance the art and science of orthodontics. The organization, which now has over 15,5000 members, supports research and education to promote quality orthodontic care and improve overall patient quality and health.
The First Kid’s Braces
In the early 1900’s the first braces were made of real gold or silver. These shiny and expensive devices carried enough bling to make even the most mundane wearers stand out in a crowd.
Regulation of Kid’s Dentistry Begins
The American Board of Orthodontics was founded in 1929. Shortly thereafter, in 1938, the first synthetic-bristle tooth brush was invented. During this period, stainless steel began to be considered and used for braces, but this was not without controversy. Finally, in the 1950’s and 60’s stainless steel was accepted by the orthodontics community as an approved material. Around this time, x-rays became a routine part of orthodontic treatment.
Children’s Dentistry Today and into the Future
Modern orthodontics are arrayed with braces of any color to “invisible” braces with no color at all. Advances in technology continue to be applied to the art and science of orthodontics. From heat activated metal alloys to 3-D models, the dental movement is also moving patients’ teeth toward healthier and more beautiful smiles for all. What’s more, increased improvements in materials and technology allow these beautiful mouths to be created with far less discomfort and much more ease than in previous decades.
In spite of orthodontics, modern orthodontics brings us teeth-straightening devices from the colorful to the not-so-colorful, or even invisible! Innovative technology brings us new materials which result in quicker, less painful, and less cumbersome ways to straighten our teeth and keep them that way. The future of orthodontics is something that we can all smile about!