As you step into your peak teenage years, suddenly your parents and dentist might recommend that you get dental braces. Widely hated due to the restrictions it comes with, braces are nevertheless popular due to the stereotypical ideas of beauty and “perfect teeth” that society has dumped on us. But what are dental braces? How did it all begin? Let’s explore the earliest dental braces and how it all started.
Dental braces are orthodontic devices designed to correct various dental issues. These work by gradually moving teeth into better positions, improving both function and appearance. Braces are commonly used to treat conditions such as misalignments of the teeth and jaws, overbite, underbite, crooked teeth, and other issues related to improper alignment.
Braces consist of several components that work together to apply consistent pressure on teeth, which encourages them to shift over time into their correct positions. The primary parts of dental braces include brackets (small, square metal or ceramic pieces that are attached to the front of each tooth with a special adhesive), archwires (thin, flexible wires that connect the brackets), bands (metal rings that are typically placed around the back molars to provide additional support), ligatures (tiny rubber bands or wires that secure the archwire to the brackets), and elastics (rubber bands that are sometimes added to braces to help move the teeth into better alignment, particularly when adjusting the bite.)
The beginning
Dental tools or devices to align teeth have been in use for Centuries. In fact, archaeologists have found multiple mummies with metal wire and bands holding their teeth in place or used to align them well. From ancient Egyptians to the Greeks and Romans, there have been multiple instances of dental procedures and experiments to realign teeth in written format. Greek philosophers Hippocrates and Aristotle are believed to be some of the first figures to document dental conditions and procedures to fix them, including braces.
During the Middle Ages, the focus of dental care was primarily on extracting decayed or damaged teeth, and orthodontics (a dental speciality that focuses on correcting teeth, jaw alignment, and bite patterns) was not considered a priority. However, in the Renaissance, scientific exploration and interest in human anatomy led to a greater understanding of the structure of teeth and jaws. This also led to people using dental procedures to ensure their teeth look visually appealing.
The modern touch
The 19th Century saw major advances in orthodontics, with key developments that laid the foundation for the braces we use today. In the early part of the century, dentists began experimenting with more effective methods of moving teeth, including the use of archwires and bands, used in braces today. One of the most important figures in the development of modern braces was Edward Angle, often referred to as the ‘father of modern orthodontics.’
In 1900, Angle introduced the first standardised design for braces, including the use of metal brackets, bands, and archwires mentioned earlier. His innovations allowed dentists to achieve more precise and effective results in aligning teeth. As technology advanced in the 20th Century, so did the design and materials used in braces. In the 1950s, stainless steel was introduced as a material for braces, replacing the less durable materials previously used. The development of adhesive bonding techniques also made it possible to attach brackets directly to the teeth, eliminating the need for bands around every tooth.
Towards the end of the 20th Century, advancements like the development of more discreet braces, such as ceramic braces and clear aligners came in. These options were particularly popular among adults who sought to straighten their teeth without the noticeable appearance of traditional metal braces.
Braces are one of the most iconic yet looked-past innovations of human beings in this era. Despite most of us using the same, not many know the history behind the procedure and devices used to align our teeth. Next time jokes are made on braces, remember to ask if they knew even Cleopatra is said to have had braces!
Published – March 31, 2025 04:13 pm IST
