With 2025 so close, it’s easy to look back and think about historical topics. That much can even apply to aesthetic dental work and its development over time. A new year could have you wondering to yourself, “Just how far has cosmetic dentistry come since it started?” Well, wonder no more; your Mansfield dentist is here to address that particular question. Read on to learn how cosmetic dentistry evolved from its ancient origins to its present form!
Smiles & Ancient Aesthetics
As cutting-edge as it is now, cosmetic dentistry is a rather old field of work. It all started several thousand years ago as folks began thinking of ways to improve their smiles.
A notable example of this fact is the ancient Egyptian people. Around 3,000 BCE or so, they were making dental crowns and bridges from metals like gold. Their more resourceful members even used seashells to replace teeth that fell out.
Other groups mimicked and followed the early Egyptians as well. For instance, the ancient Etruscans made dentures from ivory and animal bones in 700 BCE. Classical Romans even used their urine as toothpaste, as its ammonia could break apart tooth stains.
Teeth in Medieval & Enlightened Times
Thankfully enough, cosmetic dentistry didn’t stick with its initial and primitive approaches. It changed its treatment methods as people developed their knowledge and understanding.
Some of these advancements arrived in the medieval era. At that time, barbers often filed their customers’ teeth to make them look whiter. This process had mixed results and destroyed tooth enamel, though, so it fell out of practice with time.
Yet other changes came during the 1800s. As dental science grew, early dentists began placing metal in the sockets of missing teeth. This approach didn’t work, but it provided valuable insights for the future; later generations knew to rely on porcelain and plaster molds instead.
The Modern Grins of the Present
Around the early 1900s, what’s considered “true” cosmetic dentistry started. From then till now, dentists have made many breakthroughs that are still implemented and used today.
Dr. Charles Pincus had one such breakthrough in the 1930s. In that decade, he invented the first veneers while helping actors beautify their grins. These early shells often fell off, but they paved the way for the creation of secure ones in the 1980s.
Another advancement was modern teeth whitening’s arrival in 1989. In that year alone, Drs. Haywood and Heymann discovered a chemical that quickly and safely bleaches tooth enamel. They then developed dental treatments that brighten smiles by several shades at once.
Cosmetic dentistry has come a long way since its humble beginnings. With that said, here’s hoping 2025 rings in further progress and growth!
About the Practice
360 Dental Lounge is based in the wonderful community of Mansfield, TX. Led by Drs Bavishi and Doshi, our practice offers top-tier dentistry that uses the latest advances. Technologies like intraoral cameras and digital impressions let us provide cutting-edge preventive, cosmetic, and restorative care. We also rely on a cone beam scanner for in-house dental implant placement. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (682)-888-0488.
