History shows that there’s more than one way to cosmetically alter your teeth, but not all of them are ideal! If you’re curious about how far cosmetic dentistry has come, keep reading. This post highlights some of the more interesting techniques that were once used to beautify patients’ smiles. Prepare to be impressed, amazed – and maybe even a bit dismayed.
Ancient Roman Whitening
The oddest (and grossest) cosmetic dental treatment award has to go to the ancient Romans. Believe it or not, the same society that created aqueducts and Roman concrete also used their own urine to whiten their teeth.
The only thing that possibly makes this fact worse is that, technically, their instincts weren’t wrong. Urine does contain ammonia that effectively breaks down dental stains. But considering how unsanitary this practice is, no modern dentist would recommend it!
1800’s Aesthetic Replacements
Moving away from that, the success of dentures and other tooth replacements in the 1800’s actually started with advancements in the 1700’s. Porcelain was successfully used to fill in smile gaps but was too expensive at the time to become popular.
At the turn of the century, cosmetic dentists instead tried placing various metals into tooth sockets; unfortunately, these were ultimately rejected by the human body. Fake, porcelain teeth finally grew in popularity, though, and dentists developed a plaster mold that made fittings for appliances like dentures more accurate.
Developing Composites
As life began to look more and more like what we know today, new materials and improved fabrication techniques broke ground in the field of dentistry. The rise of composites made way for tooth-colored fillings in the 1950’s, and by the 80’s, the formula for dental bonding was perfected. If you were to get a tooth-colored restoration or dental bonding tomorrow, the material would match your pearly whites and provide a seamless look to your smile.
Red Carpet Veneers
Similarly, if you were to receive a porcelain veneer treatment, you would get a set of beautiful porcelain shells for your teeth, complete with an impressive adhesive that will keep them in place for decades. As you might have guessed, though, it wasn’t always like this! Dr. Charles Pincus developed veneers for movie stars in the 1930’s, but it took quite a while before dentists invented an adhesive strong enough to make them last longer than 24 hours.
Some of the older techniques in cosmetic dentistry are…interesting. Fortunately, modern dentists use the latest smile-enhancing methods and follow FDA guidelines to ensure your safety – and satisfaction!
About the Practice
You won’t have to worry about unorthodox teeth whitening methods at St. Albans Dental! Drs. Aten, Davico, and Cone each have years of experience in helping patients feel better about their smiles, and diligently pursue continuing education opportunities so they can provide the best treatment possible. If you’re interested in enhancing your teeth with cosmetic dentistry, don’t hesitate to reach out by contacting our office at 802-524-4844.