People in Orange County who seek out cosmetic dentistry may not realize that humans have been taking steps to improve how their smile looks for hundreds or thousands of years. Just as ancient cultures used makeup, dyes and other artificial approaches to enhance their face and hair, there is plenty of evidence that humans have always tried to make their teeth look better as well.
Ancient History
There is evidence in a number of ancient cultures of dental innovations that may have been both practical and aesthetic such as early dental implants made of shells. Mayans set precious stones into teeth, and in ancient Egypt, gold was sometimes used to create crowns.
Medieval Times
In medieval England, the barber not only cut hair but performed dental work. There probably wasn't too much cosmetic dentistry happening at the local village barber shop, but for wealthier people, teeth whitening was available as were dentures from other human teeth or made from cow bone. These early dentures were not very comfortable and were sometimes rejected by the body.
Modern Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry as we know it today is considered to have been founded by a dentist named Dr. Newell Sill Jenkins. Jenkins invented the porcelain enamel that was subsequently used in bridges and crowns. This meant that people could have fillings and other restorations done that looked like their natural teeth. Today, cosmetic dentistry ranges from tooth whitening to veneers to braces and more.
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