While children may not be too fond of hearing that they require orthodontic treatment, there are some ways to help pique their interest. In this post, our Burnaby dentists share some fun facts about orthodontics to discuss with your kids!
NASA created the original wires used for braces.
Some of the wiring used for braces contains nickel titanium, which NASA originally developed for use in the space program. These thin, highly flexible elastic wires are now used in orthodontic appliances. Activated by body heat, they can maintain their shape after being bent and attached to teeth.
Orthodontics became a dental specialty in 1900.
Edward H. Angle was the first orthodontist; the first member of the dental profession to focus his practice exclusively on orthodontics - moving teeth and aligning jaws.
The word “orthodontics” originated in Greece.
“Ortho” means straight or correct, while “dont” (not to be confused with “don’t”), means tooth. Combined, “orthodontics” means straight teeth.
Early braces were made of gold.
This material is flexible, soft, and can be easily stretched to set the desired path for a tooth. Braces might be a bit more expensive if they were still made of gold!
Some myths about braces have endured the test of time.
Since more advanced methods are now used to make braces, you don’t have to worry about braces increasing your risk of being struck by lighting. They don’t set off metal detectors or attract other metal objects. They also do not pick up radio signals and you can’t lock braces while kissing.
The desire to have straighter teeth can be traced back to ancient Egyptians.
People have longed for straight, healthy smiles for thousands of years. While braces weren’t designed until the early 18th century, many mummies have been discovered with chords made of animal intestines wrapped around their teeth. Archaeologists believe this was an attempt at straightening crooked teeth and that this early iteration would be similar to current braces wiring.