Dental crowns can build up damaged teeth and protect them for many years into the future. This means keeping your natural teeth for as long as possible. However, dental crowns haven’t always been around, and they have come a long way since their invention. Continue reading to learn more about how dental crowns got started and how they evolved into what they are in modern times.

The Beginning of the Dental Crown

According to the American Dental Association, the Etruscans were using dental prosthetics as early as 166 AD. This includes the use of golf dental crowns as well as fixed bridgework. However, this type of dental crown wasn’t used for the same purposes as they are used now. Gold dental crowns are believed to have been a symbol of wealth during this time – especially for women. These crowns were not used to repair broken teeth, and they were not placed by dentists. Instead, they were crafted 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 people would have their servants cook soft foods for them so their dental work wouldn’t be ruined.

Dental Crowns in Medieval Times

In the Middle Ages, dental treatments became more complex. In the 1200s to 1300s, 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 procedure of dentistry, including the process of properly performing fillings and placing dental crowns. In 1575, Ambrose Pare published “Complete Works,” where he got 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 restoration was used to make a broken tooth appear whole and undamaged. However, it was vulnerable to microscopical cracking, causing issues over time.
The next significant advancement in dental crowns was in the 20th century. This is 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 crowns made from ceramic and glass were 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 comfortable!

About the Practice

At Fort Dental, we have a team of skilled dentists serving patients in the Fort Worth area. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. To learn more about dental crowns or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (817) 292-5957.