Since social media is still (pretty) new, you may think the same is true of cosmetic dentistry. It can often seem like aesthetic dental work only arrived when people began posting online. However, the reality is that people have sought lovely smiles for centuries now. Cosmetic dental work has a history that spans thousands of years, starting from humanity’s origins. So, read on to learn a brief history of cosmetic dentistry.
An Ancient Start to Nice Teeth
While cosmetic dentistry now has new features, the field itself is rather old. People began finding ways to improve their grins thousands of years ago.
The ancient Egyptians are a very early example of this truth. As far back as 3,000 BCE, they made dental crowns and dental bridges from gold. They would also use seashells to replace teeth that fell out.
Of course, other people followed in the Egyptians’ footsteps. The Etruscans made dentures from ivory and animal bones in 700 BCE. Later, the ancient Romans used their urine as toothpaste; its ammonia could break apart tooth stains.
Cosmetic Changes in Medieval Times & Beyond
Thankfully, cosmetic dentistry didn’t continue to rely on the primitive methods of early humans. People developed new approaches to dental aesthetics as human knowledge grew.
Take the medieval era, for instance. Barbers at that time – the predecessors to dentists – often filed teeth to make them whiter. That said, this process often destroyed tooth enamel and had mixed results; barbers gave up dental work as time passed.
Further advances came just a few hundred years later. By the 1800s, early dentists placed metal in missing teeth’ sockets. While this approach didn’t work, it offered insights that led to using porcelain and plaster molds in dental work.
The State of Modern Cosmetic Dentistry
So-called “true” cosmetic dentistry started in the 20th century, around the early 1900s. Dentists from then till now have made breakthroughs leading to today’s aesthetic methods. These improvements focus more on improving a smile’s looks than just replacing teeth.
One of those breakthroughs came from Charles Pincus in the 1930s. He invented the first veneers, helping Hollywood types beautify their smiles. His prosthetics often fell off at first, but dentists learned how to secure them by the 1980s.
Similarly, Drs. Haywood and Heymann invented modern teeth whitening in 1989. Their efforts led to the discovery of a chemical that can bleach enamel. As a result, dental treatments can now brighten smiles by several shades at once.
If this brief history of cosmetic dentistry intrigues you, you can always learn more. Talk to your local dentist – they’ll gladly fill you in on other details!
About the Practice
The one-and-only Kulick Dental Group is based in Coral Springs, FL. Led by Dr. Walter Kulick, our practice strives to give each patient the top-tier smile care they deserve. That means we offer preventive, cosmetic, and even restorative dentistry, so we’ll get the job done whether you need a dental checkup or dental crowns. For more details or to book a visit, please reach us on our website or by phone at (954)-341-0500.