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If you remember when dental veneers were still called Chiclet teeth, it’s no wonder you may be wary of cosmetic dentistry. Modern technology achieves wonders—along with more experienced, better trained dentists! Today, there’s a myriad of options to get that gorgeous smile you’ve always dreamt of, from veneers to dental implants and even state of the art in-office whitening. However, it wasn’t always that way. Shockingly, “cosmetic dentistry” has its roots in ancient eras, which is proof that humans have always chased that celebrity smile. People have been cleaning their teeth in some form since 3,000 BC, which is well before they could have known the health benefits (it was likely for aesthetic reasons). The very first bristle toothbrush that was discovered dates back to the 15th century and was made of animal hair. Obviously, this wasn’t very hygienic, and thankfully DuPont came to the rescue with the 1938 nylon toothbrush. By 1961, toothbrushes were available in electric formats. A Lovely Smile Sadly, the really early years of cosmetic dentistry weren’t well recorded. However, it’s known that certain ancient societies used things that looked like teeth solely as restorations. For example, the Etruscans used ivory and animal bones as dentures in 700 BC. They also weren’t above taking the teeth of their dead and repurposing them (there were also “living donors” willing to give up their goods). Of course, these “dentures” didn’t last long, but they worked in a pinch well until the 1800s. Ahead of their time, the Etruscans learned to use gold for crowns and bridges (makeshift ones) by 20 AD. The Egyptians used seashells to fake missing teeth and created toothpaste from vinegar and pumice. The Romans put urine in their toothpaste (ammonia is a great tooth whitener). In medieval times, barbers were involved with dentistry and they created a guild in 1210 made up of “dental surgeons”—however, they could no longer serve as dentists themselves starting in the 15th century. Instead, they only filled teeth and applied acid coating for whitening (they found out much later that acid destroys enamel). Modern History Surprisingly, porcelain dentures have been available since 1770, but they weren’t widely used until the turn of the 1800s in the US. This led to a thriving dental industry, and with Vulcanite invented in the 1840s (rubber used to affix false teeth to the gums), just about anyone could have a better smile. However, in the 20th century there were still some big problems with cosmetic dentistry—appliances were subpar and the actual appointment was painful. The 1990s was the decade when cosmetic dentistry really boomed. It was all about achieving smiles that looked natural, and the “cosmetic dentist” description was born. From bleaching to veneers, these practices became standard and looked much more real than anything that came before (like those awful caps of the 70s and 80s). Today, only a dentist can tell veneers from real teeth when looking at them, and even then they’re sometimes fooled at first blush. We’ve come a long way from the days of urine in the toothpaste and making dentures out of shells—just imagine what the future of dentistry might bring.
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