Fascinating History: How Modern Dental Crowns Came to Be

In modern times, people take many luxuries and advancements for granted. Little things that are now accepted as normal didn’t exist in the past. Metal-free dental crowns, for instance, underwent centuries of development to reach this point. Whether you’re a history buff or not, learning about how these restorations have changed over the years can help you appreciate the realistic repair they offer now. Keep reading to see how far dental crowns have come!

Ancient Crowns

Although allusions to dental ailments and treatments and dentists date back to 2000 BC in Egypt and 5000 BC in Sumerian texts, the first documented mention of crown-like restorations comes from the Etruscans from 166 to 201 AD.

These people used gold crowns and bridgework more as a status symbol instead of a method of repairing decayed or injured teeth. In fact, some affluent people during this time would have healthy teeth extracted to have gold dental work placed. Unfortunately, in addition to being flashy, these early crowns also caused bite weakness, rendering people unable to eat coarse or tough foods and increasing the need for softer, more cooked, and more processed food.

Medieval Crowns

During the Middle Ages, barbers had two roles: being a traditional lay barber to cut hair and shave and being a dentist. Some specialized in more advanced surgeries, but the common barber at the time was able to perform tooth extractions as well as treat cavities with crowns. In the 1500s, several instructional books were published educating on dental issues and treatments used at the time, and gold continued to be used for those who could afford crowns and bridgework.

Crowns in the 19^th Century

Over the next few centuries, dental crowns became a little more aesthetic with the popularity of white enameling over gold, but in the late 1800s, Dr. Charles Land created a porcelain “jacket,” which surrounded the entire tooth. However, these early iterations of the dental crown were fragile and prone to fracturing, damaging the tooth and gums further.

Modern Crowns

In the 1900s, metal fused to porcelain became the standard, which gave crowns durability as well as a better aesthetic; however, the first synthetic, fully porcelain crown was produced and used in 1984. Now, dentists everywhere usually prefer this type because it restores function, strength, and appearance without drawing the wrong kind of attention to the crown.

In the end, it is worth remembering how modern amenities like dental crowns have advanced over time. It helps you feel more grateful for what you have in your mouth and should excite you for what’s to come in dentistry!

About the Practice

Applegate Dental is proud to have dentists who have years of experience and advanced training. Each comes from a unique background, but their passion for helping patients smile is unanimous. Our practice is insurance friendly and in-network with many PPO plans, which means you could save significantly on your dental crowns. If you have questions about our services or about insurance, feel free to call 716-712-5301 or contact us online here.