Dental crowns may seem like a very modern way to repair damaged teeth, but believe it or not, these restorations have actually been around for centuries. In fact, the Etruscans were using them (along with rudimentary bridgework) from 166 to 201 AD! Here’s a closer look at the fascinating history of dental crowns, and how they’ve changed since those early days.
Crowns as Status Symbols
Back during their initial inception, dental crowns weren’t used as tooth restorations like they are today. Instead, they were considered more of a status symbol, reserved for mostly wealthy women and to some degree, men. To attach them, goldsmiths would remove healthy teeth and replace them with gold banding. Unfortunately, however, they were more for appearances and didn’t function well for eating. This also highlighted another sign of wealth, as those who had them could typically afford servants to cook softer foods for them.
The Middle Ages
In the year 700, Chinese doctors wrote of using a silver paste to fill in cavities, and by the 1500s, “The Little Medicinal Book for all Kinds of Infirmities of the Teeth” was the first book to be published exclusively about the care of teeth. It even included a section about how to properly prepare dental crowns. Then, in 1575 Ambrose Pare’s “Complete Works” discussed the procedure in even further technical detail.
The 1700s and 1800s
The use of crowns became more popular and successful over the next few centuries, as a man named Claude Mouton discovered that you could use white enameling over gold crowns to make them look more like real teeth.
Dentistry in the United States then saw a big boost in popularity when an Englishman named John Baker arrived and introduced dentistry to the population. From there, a new focus on education and research began to emerge.
By the end of the 1800s, Dr. Charles H. Land had patented the porcelain ‘jacket’ crown, which made a broken tooth appear whole when covered by a crown that surrounded the entire tooth. Unfortunately, it was prone to microscopic cracks which damaged the treated tooth and surrounding gums.
The 20th Century and Beyond
In the 20th century dental crowns made with porcelain fused to metal crowns became a popular innovation, blending the durability of a metal crown with the natural look and feel of porcelain. By 1984, the first crown made with ceramic and glass was manufactured and became available in dental clinics around the world. These were predecessors to today’s crowns which are now commonly made of porcelain, metal, or a combination of both. Lasting up to ten years, these modern restorations look, work, and feel just like your natural teeth.
Much like the field of dentistry itself, crowns have come a long way. Today, they are safer, better looking, more functional, and more affordable than ever!
About Our Practice
At Devonshire Dental of Boston, we want you to feel like royalty! That’s why our team of skilled dentists is proud to provide custom dental crowns that will restore the appearance and function to your damaged tooth or teeth. If you need repairs to a tooth that is decayed, broken, infected, or discolored, let us provide you with a beautiful crown that’s fit for a king!
To schedule an appointment for a dental crown, please visit our website or call us today at 617-350-7474.