The Myth of Ancient Braces: Why Our Ancestors Didn’t Need Straight Teeth
A common tale in dentistry textbooks for years has been the idea that ancient Egyptians and Etruscans used delicate gold wires and catgut to straighten teeth, showcasing a surprisingly modern pursuit of the perfect smile. However, recent archaeological and dental historical research has debunked much of this myth.
For example, the El-Quatta dental bridge from Egypt, dating back to around 2500 BC, was initially thought to be an early form of braces. But further analysis revealed that the gold wires found were actually used to stabilize loose teeth or hold replacement teeth in place, functioning more as prostheses rather than orthodontic devices.
Similarly, the gold bands found in Etruscan tombs were likely dental splints designed to support teeth loosened by gum disease or injury, rather than aligning teeth into new positions. The softness of the pure gold used in these ancient devices also made them unsuitable for the continuous pressure required in orthodontic treatment.
Furthermore, the rarity of these devices in the mouths of children or teenagers, along with the almost non-existent cases of malocclusion in ancient skulls, suggests that ancient people did not face the same dental problems we do today. Their strong jaws developed from chewing tough, fibrous foods prevented the crowding and misalignment of teeth that is prevalent in modern times.
Simple dental interventions, such as gently pushing crooked teeth into place, were occasionally attempted by ancient civilizations like the Romans. However, significant progress in orthodontics did not occur until the 18th century when French dentist Pierre Fauchard developed the first tools specifically designed to move teeth using controlled force.
From Fauchard’s work onwards, scientific orthodontics evolved with advancements in dental technology, leading to the development of metal brackets, archwires, elastics, stainless steel, ceramic brackets, lingual braces, clear aligners, and digital treatment planning methods.
Ancient people may have been aware of dental issues and tried rudimentary solutions, but the true history of orthodontics begins with the scientific breakthroughs of the 18th century and beyond. The myth of ancient braces adds a fascinating narrative, but the reality of orthodontic progress is equally captivating without the need for embellishment.
Saroash Shahid, Reader in Dental Materials, Queen Mary University of London
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here.
