Throughout history, medical science has made many advancements that are still used today. Though they have changed somewhat over time, treatments for cataracts, plastic surgery procedures, and even dental prosthetics like crowns all date back centuries.
The Origins of Dental Crowns
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the Etruscans began using gold crowns and bridgework as early as 166 to 201 AD. However, back then crowns were used as a symbol of status and wealth and not as a means for repairing damaged teeth. In fact, goldsmiths (not dentists) would remove healthy teeth from wealthy customers (usually women) and in place, fit them with gold banding.
Unfortunately, unlike today’s crowns, these early ones made chewing difficult, so wearers could no longer eat tough or crunchy foods. In another show of wealth, these individuals would then hire servants to cook for them. This enabled them to eat softer foods that were more manageable with their crowns.
Dental Crowns Become Mainstream
In 1530, crowns were mentioned in the book “The Little Medicinal Book of All Kinds of Infirmities of the Teeth”, which discussed the proper way to attach them. A few years later in 1575, Ambrose Pare published the “Complete Works” of dentistry, which listed crowns as a treatment for tooth decay.
Centuries later, Claude Mouton was the first to suggest white enameling for gold crowns, and by the late 1800s, Dr. Charles H. Land had patented something called a porcelain “jacket” crown, which enabled broken teeth to look whole by covering the entire remaining tooth. Unfortunately, the jacket crown was eventually discontinued, as it was prone to microscopic cracks which damaged the surviving tooth and surrounding gum tissue.
Modern Day Dental Crowns
By the 20th century, dentists were using crowns made of porcelain fused to metal. These crowns were durable but also looked much more natural. It wasn’t until 1984 that ceramic and glass crowns were introduced, eventually evolving to the porcelain and resin crowns your dentist typically uses today.
While dental crowns have seen some changes over the years, today they are a popular way to repair damaged or decayed teeth without resorting to removing the entire healthy tooth below. They can even be used for cosmetic purposes by covering a less aesthetically pleasing natural tooth.
If your dentist recommends a crown, you can rest assured that this deluxe tooth restoration has withstood the test of time and been long proven as a safe solution for improving your oral health.
About Our Practice
For over 40 years, Beck Dental Care has been providing high quality dental services to the Columbia community. We use a mixture of advanced dental technology with old-fashioned kindness and compassion to make sure each of our patients leaves our office healthier and happier than when they arrived.
Whether you need a semi-annual exam, a cosmetic dentistry procedure, or you have a tooth or teeth in need of a crown, schedule an appointment with one of our dentists by visiting our website or calling us at 931-548-6154 today.