Orthodontic Fact #6 The first braces were of a piece of flat metal in 1720.

Align and straighten. That’s exactly what dental braces have been designed to do. In fact, the first pair were invented in the early 1700s, consisting only a piece of flat metal connected to the patient’s teeth by using several pieces of thread. Talk about a rustic look. Orthodontics has advanced significantly during that time, and today, achieving a healthy, Hollywood smile is within reach for people of all ages.

Causes of Imperfect Smiles

Malocclusion is the fancy medical term used by the orthodontist to describe teeth that are crooked or out of position. It’s not usually anyone’s fault. Often times, genetics play a role. Maybe your small jaw produced large, crowded teeth, or just the opposite with small teeth that drift inside a larger jaw. As a toddler, you may have sucked your thumb or had a pacifier in your mouth for too long, pushing teeth out of their proper position.

Whatever the case, your orthodontist is a highly trained professional whose mission is to align and straighten each patient’s teeth. What’s most encouraging are the wonderful advances in orthodontic materials and technology for braces.

Traditional Metal VS Modern Clear

Traditional metal wires with metal brackets are still useful in straightening teeth with more complicated orthodontic issues. Clear plastic aligners by Invisalign, however, have revolutionized the way in which we wear braces. They are removable, and almost invisible while wearing them, more comfortable and able to straighten teeth quicker than their old-fashioned silver cousins.

Invisible Aligners Go Ivy League

Invisalign has made such an impact to the profession of the modern orthodontist, that prestigious Harvard University began requiring its orthodontic grad students complete Invisalign certification before they received their diploma.

The highly skilled experts at Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics can put everything into proper perspective, especially your smile. Make an appointment today!