When you envision dental services like teeth whitening or porcelain veneers, what do you usually think of? Is it a Hollywood-esq smile that’s impossibly bright? Or a perfectly even row of teeth that are blemish free? Whatever your mind’s eye is conjuring right now, it probably has nothing to do with urine! And yet that’s what the ancient Romans used to remove stains and discoloration from their pearly whites.
If you want more fascinating historical facts about cosmetic dentistry like this one, just keep reading.
Ye Olde Tooth Replacements
Today dentists can replace and restore your teeth using tooth-colored materials. This makes re-achieving a perfectly seamless smile possible, despite dental gaps or damage. But what did civilizations use before composite resins, acrylics, and life-like ceramics?
As far back as 700 B.C.E., the Etruscans of Northern Italy made dentures out of ivory, bone, or real teeth from humans or animals. Ancient Egyptians and Mayans, on the other hand, turned to seashells for their tooth replacements.
Visiting Your Barber – For Your Teeth!
Can you imagine getting your hair cut and your teeth cosmetically altered by the same professional? During the Medieval period, that’s exactly what people did. Barbers filed teeth down to reshape them, and sometimes applied a mysterious coating to whiten them.
This turned out to be a not-so-great combination. Any modern dentist will tell you that shaving down too much tooth leaves the more sensitive layers vulnerable to bacteria, infection, and the elements. On top of that, the whitening coat often damaged dental enamel and destroyed teeth.
Born For the Red Carpet
Let’s skip ahead to the 1930’s. Dental veneers are often said to give patients a Hollywood smile, so it’s somewhat ironic that they were invented for movie stars! Dr. Charles Pincus worked with many actors, and saw that they needed an easy and convenient way to glamorize their teeth for the camera.
After some experimentation, he created a dental veneer that would adhere to their pearly whites – and then fall off within hours. Fortunately, the dental veneers of today will stay adhered for decades with proper care, making them much more accessible for the general public.
Accidental Discoveries
The last stop on this adventure through time is the 1950’s. Dr. Per-Ingvar Brånemark, a Swedish orthopedic surgeon, was studying blood flow in rabbit femurs. His research involved fixing titanium chambers to the bone, but he didn’t expect the chambers to become completely fused with the femur over time!
This process is known as osseointegration, a phenomenon where bone matter grows around certain biocompatible materials. This discovery paved the way for dental implants, which can now be used to effectively replace missing teeth by rooting down to the jawbone, just like natural pearly whites!
Truly, dental technology and methods have made leaps and bounds over the years. With tech advancements developing faster and faster, it’s exciting to think about how much farther dentistry can go!
About the Author
Dr. Erin Peters is an accomplished cosmetic dentist in Little Ferry. She earned her dental degree from the Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry, where she was invited to join the Orthognathic Honor Society – which is a huge testament to her skills and knowledge! Since then, Dr. Peters has completed many continuing education courses, and practiced at a cosmetic dental office before finally taking ownership of Erin Dental. If you’d like to know more about cosmetic dentistry, there’s no better professional to ask! To contact Dr. Peters’ office, call 201-641-9119.