Braces are the oldest treatment in orthodontics, and they’re still the most popular on the market. But modern braces are very different from their past predecessors. Braces have gone through enormous changes as orthodontic technology has developed over the years, making modern braces much lighter, more comfortable, and more convenient than those of the past. At Carvalho & Roth Orthodontics, we’re proud to offer orthodontic treatment to patients throughout Marlborough, Northborough, and Newton Centre, so we’d like to take some time to talk about how braces have changed through the years.
The Evolution of Braces
Orthodontic braces have a long history – likely much longer than you expect. In fact, the first braces can be traced all the way back to Ancient Egypt, more than 3000 years ago! Egyptian mummies were found with artificially-corrected teeth, using an animal skin cord to straighten the teeth. Other ancient civilizations also produced evidence of orthodontic correction, but most people place the true birth of braces in Ancient Rome thanks to Aulus Cornelius Celsus. Known as the father of braces, Celsus documented his attempts to straighten teeth, including his use of a woven gold wire placed along the teeth to straighten them.
The modern era of braces begins in the late 1700s, when French doctors began experimenting with specialized mouth guards that placed pressure on the teeth in order to move them into a specific alignment. The French also were the first to experiment with removing the wisdom teeth to help prevent overcrowding in the mouth.
In 1819, however, Christophe-Francois Delabarre created the first true modern instance of braces, using a woven metal wire placed on both sets of teeth to move them. This set off the era of braces as we know them today, and the advancements of the industrial revolution led braces to develop quickly during the 20th century.
Contact Your Northborough Orthodontist
Today’s braces are advanced, high-tech constructions compared to those of the past, using precisely-shaped archwires and carefully calculated bracket placement to achieve truly stunning results in tooth movement. While they may be an old treatment, braces are one of the most effective and reliable options around – and if you’re interested in braces for yourself, we can help. Contact us today to learn more about treatment with braces or to schedule your consultation. We can’t wait to hear from you!