Dental braces
Before Braces
Before the invention of braces and modern orthodontics, the primary method for dealing with crooked teeth or over-crowding in the mouth was extraction: the offending teeth were pulled out. There were early apparatuses, but there were cumbersome and uncomfortable. The bandeau, popularized by French dentist Pierre Fauchard, was one such device. It consisted of a metal (or wood, or bone) arch that was placed outside the teeth; string or wire was used to tie the teeth to the arch, and the consistent pressure would pull teeth into place. The bandeau was similar to modern braces in that it relied on slow, steady pressure, but was not adjustable, and was difficult to use for moving individual teeth in different directions.
First Braces - The wire crib
The first dental apparatus that more closely resembled modern braces was the wire crib, invented by Frenchman Christophe-François Delabarre in 1819, and later described in 1826.
The crib was made of wires (often precious metals) that were bent and soldered together to make a kind of cage that would fit tightly over and around teeth. Tensioned strings or metal springs could then be attached to the cribs and used to apply constant force to teeth, slowly moving them into new positions. One advantage of the crib was that it allowed dentists to more easily treat individual teeth or groups of teeth.
The crib was made of wires (often precious metals) that were bent and soldered together to make a kind of cage that would fit tightly over and around teeth. Tensioned strings or metal springs could then be attached to the cribs and used to apply constant force to teeth, slowly moving them into new positions. One advantage of the crib was that it allowed dentists to more easily treat individual teeth or groups of teeth.
Innovation #1 - Rubber threads
In the January 13, 1844, issue of The Forceps, an English dental surgery journal, Dr. Edward Maynard describes using gum elastics (in place of string or wire) to affect movement on improperly aligned teeth. Though similar in composition to the elastic bands still used today in some forms of dental braces, Maynard's elastics were threads (lines) rather than bands (circles). Dentists using this technique would sometimes tie the elastics directly to the teeth, but also often attached them to wire cribs (which were themselves attached to teeth). The elastic threads could be stretched between teeth to pull them closer together, or could be woven between teeth to move one tooth in or out. Elastics were an improvement over metal springs because they required less adjustment and were more comfortable to wear.
Innovation #2 - Brackets
In the 1970's breakthroughs in dental adhesion (glue) allowed brackets to be attached directly to the front or back of teeth, taking the place of wires or bands wrapped around each tooth. The brackets were made of metal, and had horizontal grooves across the front into which the orthodontist could seat the wire that linked all teeth together. The purpose of the brackets was the same as the wire crib, and the same methods continued to be used for applying pressure to teeth: metal springs and/or rubber bands. The application of brackets to the teeth caused less damage than wrapping each individual tooth, and so was better for overall dental health.
Innovation #3 - Invisible braces
The first "invisible" braces were standard brackets placed on the backs of teeth so that they weren't seen. Traditionally, though, when we think of invisible braces, we think of the clear plastic, molded braces created by Align Technology, Inc.
In 1997 a Standford graduate student named Zia Chishti noticed that his clear retainer - given to him to help keep his teeth in place after he wore traditional braces - would actually move his teeth back into place after he'd forgotten to wear it for some time. Chishti took advantage of 3-D technology to scan patients mouths, plan and then create plastic retainers that mirrored the slow progression of changes that the teeth should make; each subsequent retainer more closely resembles perfect teeth. Chishti was issued a patent for his innovation (Systems and methods for positioning teeth, US6783360) in 2004. The Invisalign process hit the market in 2000, and has since become a popular method for correcting crooked smiles. It is more comfortable to wear, causes less damage to the surfaces of teeth than brackets or bands, and doesn't interfere with eating (because they can be removed). Plastic molded braces also require less visits to the orthodontist, making them more practical for many patients. |
Image from patent application
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Impact
As braces have become more comfortable and affordable, many people with less-than-perfect teeth have been able to improve their smile. This not only improves peoples' look... it's also good for tooth health: crooked teeth can be harder to keep clean, could cause discomfort while eating, and are more prone to damage.
Innovation Idea
Given the public's current fascination with the supernatural and occult, I think vampire braces could sell. These braces would function in the same way as Invisalign braces, but would have exaggerated upper canines (so that the wearer looked like a vampire). If you were wearing vampire braces, many people wouldn't know that you were wearing braces at all... they would just think you're strange.
Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_braces
http://www.archwired.com/HistoryofOrtho.htm
http://www.fauchard.org/publications/47-who-is-pierre-fauchard
http://www.pi-bonding.com/history.htm
https://www.aaoinfo.org/sites/default/files/default_images/WahlHistoryAJO-DOChapter1.pdf
A Treatise on the Irregularities of the Teeth
The Forceps
http://www.kerrdental.com/cms-filesystem-action?file=KerrDental-Products-Articles/adhesives-nazarian.pdf
Invisalign Patent
http://www.archwired.com/HistoryofOrtho.htm
http://www.fauchard.org/publications/47-who-is-pierre-fauchard
http://www.pi-bonding.com/history.htm
https://www.aaoinfo.org/sites/default/files/default_images/WahlHistoryAJO-DOChapter1.pdf
A Treatise on the Irregularities of the Teeth
The Forceps
http://www.kerrdental.com/cms-filesystem-action?file=KerrDental-Products-Articles/adhesives-nazarian.pdf
Invisalign Patent