The ancient braces myth: why our ancestors didn’t need straight teeth
The Conversation••world
Key Points:
- Contrary to popular belief, ancient Egyptians and Etruscans did not use gold wires as orthodontic braces to straighten teeth; instead, these wires functioned as dental prostheses or splints to stabilize loose teeth.
- The gold used in these ancient devices was nearly pure and too soft to apply the continuous pressure required for moving teeth, making them ineffective as braces.
- Crooked teeth and malocclusion were rare in ancient populations due to their tough, fibrous diets that promoted strong jaw development, reducing the need for orthodontic treatments.
- The earliest credible orthodontic methods date back to Roman times, with simple manual repositioning of teeth, while scientific orthodontics began in the 18th century with Pierre Fauchard's
