When did braces first come out? Well, we are in the early 1900s, and there was a looming problem for orthodontics: teeth were coming out of their sockets. So, what did they do? Eugene S. Talbot, a dental surgeon in Chicago, had an idea to improve the process by incorporating X-rays into the braces. X-rays helped dentists detect and correct issues before the teeth came out of their sockets. Braces became a huge hit in the early 1900s, but the process was expensive and not affordable for all. They consisted of copper, zinc, and ivory bands, but some were made of gold and silver wires, which were costly and required frequent adjustments. Gold and silver wires had a tendency to wear out easily due to the heat.
Lingual braces
Lingual braces first came out around the 1970s, after the invention of the orthodontic appliance by Dr. Craven Kurz. The idea of a bracket placed on the inside of the tooth sparked a need for a better-looking smile. At the time, clear braces were still in their infant stages, but patients were increasingly concerned about staining. Dr. Kurz developed a bracket system for lingual braces and filed a patent for it on November 15, 1976. He later teamed up with the company Omrco and incorporated his lingual braces into his practice. This orthodontic appliance became the first of its kind.
Lingual braces first appeared in the 1970s, when a Japanese dentist wanted to straighten the teeth of a fictional playboy bunny. Since then, the technology has undergone continuous evolution and have become the preferred option for adults who do not want a metal smile. Today, approximately 4.5 million Americans are receiving orthodontic treatment, with about 25 percent of those patients being adults. However, there is an important caveat: Lingual braces are still not the right choice for every patient.
Lingual braces work in much the same way as metal braces, with the added benefit of being completely invisible. Metal brackets are placed on the teeth’s back surfaces. Metal posts, usually gold or silver in color, secure the brackets and wires to move the teeth into their proper position over time. In general, the procedure takes about one year. The entire process can take several years, depending on the severity of the problem.
Copper-titanium wires
Over thirty years ago, when NiTi braces first came out, many dentists were wary of this new metal. However, this new alloy met many of the criteria for orthodontic applications. It has low stiffness, high springback, a large elastic range, and is virtually invisible. This metal also has some disadvantages as well. To help prevent further damage, it must be treated with care.
The main disadvantage of Ni-Ti wires is their high price. However, the benefits of Ni-Ti braces outweigh this disadvantage. Compared to other metals, Ni-Ti braces are more affordable. Additionally, they can help correct the shape of your teeth. Copper-titanium braces are more durable, too. They last longer than titanium braces. Copper-titanium braces are known to last up to five years.
Compared to Ni-Ti wires, Cu-Ti wires have higher ductility. The reason is simple: their corrosion resistance is lower. Ni-Ti wires are resistant to corrosion and can handle a wide range of temperatures. In addition, they are also highly resistant to acids and mouthwash solutions. Aside from a high degree of corrosion resistance, they also exhibit a high resistance to bending.
The benefits of copper-titanium braces are obvious. Since they can adjust to shifting teeth, copper-titanium wires are more comfortable for most patients. In addition, they reduce the number of appointments necessary for tightening them. These braces also improve oral health. They can correct all types of problems, including teeth discoloration and toothache. In addition to being durable, copper-titanium braces are more affordable.
Elastic bands
Elastic bands come in a variety of sizes, so you need to determine what size will be best for your needs. Different elastics provide different amounts of force and may be used for different types of movement. You should never substitute elastics for any other types of rubber bands. This is because the force necessary to move your teeth is different in each position. Elastics for braces are not compatible with rubber bands for other purposes.
The elastics that come with braces are made of latex, but you can find latex-free options as well. Unlike normal elastic bands, orthodontic elastics are not for eating. They are specifically designed to close gaps between teeth and reduce overjet. When they are worn correctly, they help move teeth faster. However, it is important to remember that elastics must be worn constantly. Taking them out often can affect your results and be harmful to your orthodontic treatment.
Children often play with colorful rubber bands and may try to push them out with their tongue or finger. Other common causes of rubber bands coming off are chewing hard objects or sticky foods. They may also chew on objects that have inter-rubber bands and cause the rubber bands to come off. Some children may even chew on their bands. If this is your child, it is important to supervise them while they’re wearing them to avoid any pain or discomfort.
Dental adhesive
Many dentists have been credited for making orthodontic treatment much easier than it was in the past. The invention of dental adhesive for attaching brackets to teeth made it much easier to apply braces and reduce pain. The invention of gum elastics was a result of a research carried out by Dr. Maynard. The rubber tubing was cut into small bands and he invented the rubber dental dam. Today, gum elastics and dental adhesive are the two most common ways of applying braces.
Braces were once attached to the back of the teeth by using tie wires. Dental adhesive made the brackets adhere directly to the teeth, avoiding the need to tie a wire around every tooth. During this time, orthodontic techniques were the same until the 1970s when a major breakthrough in the field of braces came along in the form of dental adhesive. Dental adhesive made it much easier to apply braces and was a huge improvement over traditional tie wires and elastic ligatures.
Before the 1970s, dentists used metal to wrap wires around teeth. The metal was usually made of ivory, zinc, or copper. Different dentists preferred different metals, including gold. However, gold was preferred by dentists around the world because it was easily molded to fit the teeth. It was also far more comfortable for the patients and the treatment time decreased. In 2010, the eighth generation of dental adhesives came on the scene.
Invisalign
When did Invisalign first come out, and how did it gain such widespread popularity? The company that created Invisalign was Align Technology. The two founders of the company didn’t have any formal orthodontic training, but they drew upon their experience in business to develop the system. During their research in CAD modeling, the two inventors designed an incremental retainer that would create the iconic sequence of aligners. When Invisalign first entered the market, most orthodontists were skeptical of the product. While braces were not the most attractive product on the market, they had been backed by centuries of industry data. Since Zia had no orthodontic training, and the fact that it was a business student who was not trained in dental science, the product was initially dismissed by the medical community.
Initially, Chishti studied computer science and economics at Columbia University, before going to Stanford University for an MBA. She underwent orthodontic treatment, and while she was in her dorm, Chishti was inspired to develop clear plastic appliances instead of traditional braces. Chishti and three other students began working on the concept in their dorm room, and in 2001, Align Technology, LTD was born.
Invisalign came about after Zia Chisti, a Stanford University MBA student, was forced to wear a traditional retainer during her orthodontic treatment. The traditional retainer was uncomfortable and distracting for Zia, and she felt there must be a better way to get orthodontic treatment. Chisti and her partners decided to work on the idea in their dorm room and eventually found developers. As the company developed, it became the most popular orthodontic solution in the world.
Ancient Egyptian braces
There’s a long history behind braces, and the Ancient Egyptians had them, too. Mummies were wrapped in linen or leather to preserve the natural characteristics of the body, but some Egyptians also had wire-braces on their teeth to improve aesthetics. These devices were used for many years, and even after the deceased passed away, their teeth were kept straight with these wires. Here are some interesting facts about the history of braces.
The ancient Egyptians were some of the first people to use braces. While modern braces can be made of metal, ancient Egyptians used catgut and animal skin bands. These were most likely part of a person’s funeral rites and were probably used to keep the teeth in a nice shape for the afterlife. Etruscans also used animal parts to make braces, and these devices were similar to modern braces.
Archeologists have discovered mummified human remains with crooked teeth. The Egyptians used a cord made of dried sheep or horse intestines, which is the same material as orthodontic wire. These archwires were then tied to the teeth with catgut, a natural fiber found in animal intestines. These ancient braces may have been used as far back as 5,000 years ago, but they are not the earliest known braces.
About The Author
Mindy Vu is a part time shoe model and professional mum. She loves to cook and has been proclaimed the best cook in the world by her friends and family. She adores her pet dog Twinkie, and is happily married to her books.