a A Brief History of Braces and Orthodontics by Christopher Zed | Jun 3, 2022 | dr. christopher zed, Healthcare
Orthodontic braces have come a long way since their invention in 1728. Dr. Pierre Fauchard is credited with creating the 몭rst pair of braces made from gold and used to correct an overbite. Since then, orthodontic braces have evolved considerably, thanks to advances in technology and materials. This article will brie몭y examine the history of braces and orthodontics, from their humble beginnings to the sophisticated devices we use today!
The Early Years Orthodontic braces were 몭rst used in the early 1800s, though they appeared much di몭erent from today’s braces. They were made of metal (usually iron or steel) and were very rigid and uncomfortable. They also had to be tightened regularly, which often caused pain and irritation for the patients. However, despite these drawbacks, metal braces were reasonably e몭ective at correcting teeth’ alignment problems. The 몭rst breakthrough in orthodontic technology came in 1901 when Dr. Edward Angle developed brackets, wires, and elastics systems that could be used to move teeth more e몭ectively than metal braces. This system, known as “Angle’s System,” quickly became the standard for orthodontic care and is still used in many orthodontic practices today.
The Modern Era