If someone has a tooth that’s severely decayed, broken, or otherwise structurally compromised, their dentist will likely recommend that they have it protected with a dental crown. A dental crown is a customized cap that is placed over the chewing surface of the damaged tooth to restore its function and appearance as well as protect it from additional harm. However, dental crowns haven’t always been how they are today. Continue reading to learn a brief history of dental crowns.
The Beginning of Dental Crowns
According to the American Dental Association, the Etruscans were using dental prosthetics as early as 166 AD. This includes the use of gold dental crowns as well as fixed bridgework. However, these dental crowns weren’t used for the same purposes as they are used today. Gold dental crowns were believed to be used as a symptom of wealth – especially for Etruscan women. These crowns were not used to repair broken teeth, and they were not placed by “dentists.” Instead, they were made by goldsmiths who would remove healthy teeth and refit and replace them with gold banding. This was for aesthetic purposes and was fragile, so wearers could not enjoy hard or coarse food. These wealthy individuals would have their servants cook them soft foods so they wouldn’t ruin their “dental work.”
Dental Crowns in Medieval Times
In the Middle Ages, dental treatments became more complex. In the 1200’s to 1300’s, a Guild of Barbers was established in France. Barbers would perform simple services, including the extraction of teeth. In the 1500s, the first book was written solely on the practice of dentistry as a guide for barbers and surgeons. “The Little Medicinal Book for All Kinds of Infirmities of the Teeth” covered the basic procedures of dentistry, including the process of properly performing filling and placing dental crowns. In 1575, Ambrose Pare published “Complete Works,” where he got even more technical with the important surrounding treatments, including dental crowns.
Advancements in Dental Crowns
In the late 1800s, the first major improvement in dental crowns occurred when Charles H. Land patented the porcelain “jacket” crown. This type of crown was used to make a broken tooth appear whole and undamaged, as it surrounded the entirety of the tooth. However, this invention was vulnerable to microscopic cracking, causing issues over time.
The next significant advancement in dental crowns was in the 20th century when porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns were created. This combination of materials allows patients to have a more natural tooth appearance from the porcelain while also receiving the durability the metal could provide. In 1984, the first synthetic crown made from ceramics and glass was manufactured.
Dental crowns have the ability to keep damaged teeth protected for many years, allowing them to last for much longer than they would otherwise. Thanks to many years of trial and error, modern dental crowns are reliable, natural-looking, and perfectly comfortable.
About the Practice
At Family Dental Center of East Texas, Dr. Youngblood and Dr. Martinez work together to lead our highly skilled dental team. With their combined expertise, patients of all ages can get pretty much anything they need under one roof! To learn more about dental crowns or to schedule an appointment at our practice in Center, visit our website or call (936) 427-9070.