One way you can connect with your ancestors is through the desire for a perfect smile. They likely wanted their own set of perfect teeth just like now. However, they didn’t have the advanced cosmetic dental treatments you have available to you today. Dentistry has come a long way since then. Here’s a look back at how it evolved to be a reliable and safe choice today.
Ancient Ways to Achieve Pearly Whites
Even as far back as 700 B.C., there’s evidence of people wanting to beautify their grin. The Etruscans would make dentures out of materials like ivory, bones, and teeth from deceased animals and humans!
Ancient Egyptians also had their own ways to replace missing teeth. They would hammer seashells in their gums, but they even made crowns and bridges from gold. To whiten their teeth, they would use a pumice-vinegar mixture, but it was very abrasive and harmful to their enamel.
The Romans also wanted brighter smiles, so they would use urine. While gross, it surprisingly worked! The ammonium in it was quite effective at removing stains.
Whiter Smiles in Medieval Times
Fast forward to the Middle Ages, and dentistry was still in a rocky spot. A dentist and barber were one, so you can get your haircut and dental treatments without needing to get up! In fact, have you ever noticed that the chairs for both professions are similar, even in modern times?
Regardless, their cosmetic services for teeth still weren’t all that great. If you wanted to get rid of discoloration, then your enamel would’ve been filed down and coated with acid. As you can imagine, this damaged the outer layer of a tooth and sometimes the structure itself.
The Rise of Modern Cosmetic Treatments
It wasn’t until the 1700s that these aesthetic treatments started to get a stable footing. Tooth replacements began to use porcelain for the teeth and, in the 1900s, acrylic was used as the base. This allowed for every prosthetic to be molded for an individual patient, and custom-making them is still done today!
Veneers were first conceived around the 1930s, but they were temporary and only for Hollywood stars. They became a longer-lasting solution around the 1980s. Later in this decade, teeth whitening also got a much-needed upgrade. Dentists would use carbamide peroxide as it was a safer bleaching agent that wasn’t gross as well.
In the end, cosmetic dentistry has come a very long way. You can feel confident knowing that older methods have been abandoned and replaced with reliable, effective options. That way, you can get the transformation you want without any complications.
About the Author
Dr. Bradley Mitchell earned his dental degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. He is happy to help the Oklahoma City community get the gorgeous grins they love with cosmetic, restorative, and orthodontic treatments. By tailoring a plan to your dental flaws, you can trust that your results look and feel natural. If you have imperfections you want to get rid of, schedule an appointment or call Dr. Mitchell’s office at (405) 755-2670.
