Cosmetic dentistry may seem like a new frontier in oral health, but believe it or not, people have been trying to improve the appearance of their smiles for centuries. In fact, the field dates back to as early as 700 BC, when the Etruscans first used ivory, human teeth, and bone to fashion rudimentary dentures!
If you’re curious about its origins, enjoy this fascinating read about how far mankind has come to improve the appearance of your smile!
Early Egyptians
In Ancient Egypt, the quest to beautify the smile was a noble pursuit. They used gold to make dental bridges and crowns, and even hammered seashells into their gums to replace teeth. Ouch!
For a whiter smile, they didn’t have the luxury of professional whitening like we do today, and instead made their own homemade pastes of pumice and vinegar, which sounds very unpleasant and damaging to the enamel. Still, it was a lot less gross than what ancient Romans did, when they used their own urine as a mouthwash and to whiten their teeth!
Medieval Dentistry
In Medieval times, there was no such thing as a dedicated dentist, so if you needed your teeth repaired, you went to the barber. Barbers were trained to file teeth down and apply a topcoat that made them appear whiter, however this destroyed the enamel and eventually took the whole tooth with it. Maybe that’s why today’s barbers just stick to hair…
The 1700s and 1800s
Around the 1700s, dentists began using porcelain to create dentures, and by the 1800s they were using metal in the sockets of missing teeth; however, this didn’t work well. The good news is that it did birth the porcelain restoration movement, which is still a material that is sometimes used in dentistry today.
20th Century and Beyond
In the early 1900s, porcelain restorations became too cost prohibitive, so dentists began using plastics and acrylic in restorations. In fact, these are still used to make modern dentures!
Teeth whitening also became much safer and more effective when dentists began using peroxide to lift stains and discoloration. By the mid-1990s dentists began using lasers to assist in professional whitening treatments, making them even more effective.
Dental bonding as we know it today arrived in the 1980s, as did porcelain veneers and dental implants, and clear aligners were introduced to the market in the 1990s.
As you can see, mankind’s pursuit of a whiter, brighter smile has been around for centuries. Today, you can benefit from hundreds of years of trial and error and get beautiful, safe, and affordable results right from your dentist. If you’re interested in learning more about your options for cosmetic dentistry, schedule a consultation today!
About Dr. Vason
Dr. Carlisle Vason didn’t always know he wanted to be a dentist. In fact, he started out as a finance and international affairs major! Still, he found himself wanting to do more, both with his hands and to make a positive impact in peoples lives. Naturally, he was drawn to dentistry.
Today, Dr. Vason gets to help his patients achieve a beautiful, healthy smile that not only makes them look good, but feel good, too. He is a current member of the American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
To schedule an appointment at Vason Family Dentistry of Buckhead, please visit our website or call us today at 404-367-9799.