IF YOURE ONE OF OUR VALUED PATIENTS, youre already familiar with orthodonticsat least a little bit familiar! In fact you may have braces on right now. Or, perhaps your son, daughter, father, or mother is in the middle of treatment here at L&M Orthodontics. Dr. Lee andDr. Meyrowitz thought theyd share a couple of facts with you about the history of orthodontic treatment.

Earliest Braces?

It appears that the desire for straight teeth isnt just a modern-day phenomenon. Archaeologists have unearthed ancient mummies that have crudely constructed bands of metal around their teeth. In the earliest times, catgut was also used instead of wire to close gaps between teeth. In 400 to 500 B.C., the Greek physician Hippocrates and philosopher Aristotle considered methods to improve dental conditions, including teeth straightening.

The Next Phase

What we now think of as braces go back as far as 1728but of course, the technologies and techniques are far more advanced. At that time, French Dentist Pierre Fauchard published his book called The Surgeon Dentist which contained a chapter on ways to straighten teeth. Pierre Fauchard was given the designation of having invented the first modern braces by using pieces of thread to connect flat metal strips placed inside peoples mouths.

The Modern Orthodontic Bracket

In 1915 Edward Angle invented what is now called the modern orthodontic bracket. These first brackets were fixed to small bands that went around each tooth. Edward improved on his own invention in about 1928, creating a bracket that could be affixed directly to a tooth.

From those early days and into the 1970s, many advancements have been made in traditional orthodontic care. Your health and comfort are always a great concern to us here at L&M Orthodontics, and we are constantly improving the care we provide. Dr. Lee andDr. Meyrowitz make it their goal to be continually improving and updating what we do with the latest and best orthodontic options so that our patients are always satisfied with great results and care.

If you are considering orthodontics, contact us today to find out more about the options Orthodontics Limited can offer you. If you are already one of our patients, perhaps you have a family member or friend who is considering orthodontic treatment. Thanks in advance for your kind referrals.

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