For a long time, humans have been trying to find ways to make their smiles look more appealing. From veneers to whitening, cosmetic dentistry has come a long way to become what we know it as today. Though some of the early attempts at beautifying our smiles weren’t always the best, knowing how it all began allows us to appreciate the range of effective procedures we now have available to us. Read on to learn about how cosmetic dentistry has changed over the years.
Ancient Cosmetic Dentistry
In the year 700 B.C., the Etruscan people of ancient Italy made dentures from materials like bone, animal teeth, ivory, and the teeth of deceased people. The ancient Egyptian people crafted bridges and crowns out of gold and used seashells to replace missing teeth. Ancient Romans whitened their teeth with urine since the ammonia in it works as a bleaching agent. Luckily, modern teeth whitening is both less disgusting and more effective!
Medieval Times
During Medieval Times, barbers wore two hats by also performing dental work. To make teeth whiter, they filed down patients’ teeth and applied a special coating. Unfortunately, this destroyed the enamel and compromised the structure of the teeth. During this time, Europeans were continuing to use ivory and bone to make dentures. Unfortunately, these dentures weren’t very comfortable. They also once again tried using the teeth of deceased people, but the body often rejected them.
The Age of Enlightenment
The 1700s are when cosmetic dentistry began to dramatically improve. It was during this time that porcelain was starting to be used to make dentures. Though this was an important time for progress in the field of cosmetic dentistry, there were still missteps along the way. Metals were placed in the sockets of missing teeth in the 1800s to fill in the gaps, but they were rejected by the body. Fortunately, dentists were beginning to use plaster molds to make dentures fit better and porcelain teeth were becoming more popular replacement option.
20th Century and Modern Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry began to boom in the 20th century. The materials used began changing at the beginning of the 1900s. Since porcelain was too expensive for most people, dentures and dental crowns were made from more economical materials like acrylics and plastics. Acrylic is still used today to make dentures along with nylon, porcelain, resin, metal, and other materials. During this time, there was also more of a focus on making teeth look better with treatments like whitening and restorative procedures like fillings and implants. Veneers were also invented in the 1930s to give movie stars the gorgeous grins they’re famous for.
Cosmetic dentistry has changed a lot over the years to become what it is today. If you want to improve your smile, set up a consultation with your dentist so you can be on your way to a more beautiful smile!
About the Practice
If you live in Yuba City and want to give your smile an upgrade, Dr. Ajaipal Singh Sekhon and his talented team at Fit Dental can help you perfect your pearly whites. They offer a range of cosmetic dentistry services like cosmetic bonding, crown lengthening, teeth whitening, and porcelain veneers to correct aesthetic issues and give you the smile you’ve always wanted. Are you interested in scheduling an appointment with Fit Dental or do you want more information on their cosmetic dentistry service offerings? Call their office at (530) 822-9090 or visit their website today to get started.