5 FACTS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ORTHODONTICS AND TEETH
Whether you’re planning to visit a dentist in Tarneit for an orthodontic treatment or not, knowing about orthodontics and teeth in general can be enlightening.
A specialty of dentistry, Orthodontics mainly deals with detection, correction, and prevention of misaligned teeth and play a critical role in bringing a more symmetrical smile. All in all there’s plenty of fun facts to learn about orthodontics and teeth that might surprise you.
Here’s some to get you started from our experts in orthodontics near Tarneit:
Modern braces were first designed 300 years ago
A person by the name of Pierre Fauchard (also called the Father of Dentistry) created the early version of modern braces back in 1728. These early prototypes included a flat metal-like material that connected to the teeth using a fine thread.
As dentistry and orthodontic practices evolved over time, more advanced orthodontic techniques like brackets were developed to fix misalignment of teeth.
Enamel is as brittle as it is strong
While many know that the enamel in your teeth is the toughest material in the body, many fail to realise it’s also just as brittle. Most don’t realise this fact about their teeth and use them to bite things they’re not meant for.
Notable examples include opening bottle caps made of metal, eating extremely hard foods, etc. This leads to dental emergencies like gum bleeding, chips, and cracks.
The wires used in braces were first used by NASA
As surprising as that may sound, it’s true. The material used in the wires contain a nickel-titanium based alloy called Nitinol which is the alloy the Naval Ordnance Laboratory originally created with the intention of using it in one of NASA’s space mission programs.
These adjustable wires, when used for orthodontic applications, regulate according to body temperature and are thus able to stay put on the teeth albeit experiencing force.
Teeth are every bit as unique as fingerprints
Be it the teeth of little ones, teenagers, adults, or seniors, the size and shape of teeth in people differ significantly from one another.
This means each and every tooth has a unique identity that adds up to your overall smile and personality, making it truly one in a million.
Orthodontics may have its roots in ancient Egypt
While the idea of braces didn’t emerge until the 1700s, it seems the early tribes in ancient Egypt already thought of achieving an aligned and perfect smile ages ago.
Some specimens of mummified bodies discovered have been found to contain cord-like wrapping (presumably fashioned from animal intestines) around the teeth. Archeologists suggest it could be an early effort of teeth straightening akin to modern-day braces.
With that said, if you have an orthodontics requirement in Tarneit, we can always help. Reach out to us at (03) 9731 7776.
