Historic Repairs: The Evolution of Dental Crowns

Do you have a severely damaged or decayed tooth or have you recently undergone a root canal procedure? If so, there’s a good chance your dentist will fit you with a dental crown. These tooth-shaped caps are bonded over your injured tooth to preserve its structure and functionality in situations that might otherwise require extraction.

Today, these restorations can be fully customized to match the size, shape, and color of your natural teeth so no one can tell the difference, but that hasn’t always been the case. Continue reading to learn more about the fascinating history of dental crowns and how they’ve evolved over the years!

Ancient Origins

Did you know that, according to the American Dental Association, the history of dentistry dates back as far as 5000 BC? A Sumerian text from this period discusses dental decay and the belief that “tooth worms” were the cause. People have likely sought ways to remedy oral maladies and replace or repair injured or missing teeth since the dawn of human civilization.

Archeologists have found proof of this in various cultures around the globe. For example, between 166 and 201 AD, the Etruscans used gold crowns and fixed bridgework to create dental prosthetics. Although this may have been partly functional, such oral appliances were viewed as status symbols at the time. Only wealthy families could afford the gold banding, and unfortunately, the material is too fragile to function like natural teeth to chew coarse foods.

Middle-Aged Advancements

Dentistry continued to evolve, and many experts consider the Middle Ages to be the ‘Beginning of the Profession’ as practices became more established and widespread. Around the year 700, a medical text in China was the first to outline the use of silver paste in a blend for dental fillings. Then, between the 1200’s and 1300’s, a Guild of Barbers in France was established that consisted of two groups of people. It included surgeons, who were trained to perform complex procedures and lay barbers, who performed basic hygienic services, like cleaning and extracting teeth.

By 1530, The Little Medicinal Book for all Kinds of Infirmities of the Teeth was published in Europe and included basic information for creating fillings and dental crowns. This was expanded upon when Ambrose Pare published his “Complete Works” on dentistry in 1575, which included treatments for jaw fractures, such as crowns.

Contemporary Dental Crowns

In the late 1800s, Dr. Charles H. Land patented a porcelain ‘jacket’ crown that could make a broken tooth appear whole again but was vulnerable to cracking. Then, in the 20^th century, experts began experimenting with porcelain fused to metal for more durability. Finally, in 1984, the first synthetic version made of ceramics and glass was manufactured, leading to artificial teeth as we know them today.

Now, these artificial teeth can be comprised of porcelain, metal, or a combination of the two. With ongoing advancements in dental technology and materials, they look more lifelike than ever before. If you need to repair an injured tooth, there’s no better time than now to get a dental crown!

About the Author

Dr. Christopher Cowell has 23+ years of experience providing a full array of services to conveniently meet all your dental needs under one roof. He earned his dental education from the University of Florida College of Dentistry and is an active member of the American Dental Association and other professional organizations. He combines a conservative, compassionate approach with state-of-the-art equipment to provide natural-looking prosthetics to rebuild your smile. If you need a dental crown, you can request an appointment on the website or call (386) 734-8585.