Abrasion
Removal of tooth structure due to rubbing and scraping (e.g. incorrect brushing method)
Abscess
A collection of pus. Usually forms because of infection.
Abutment
A tooth or tooth structure which is responsible for the anchorage of a bridge or a denture.
Amalgam
A silver filling material.
Anesthetic
An agent that causes temporary loss of sensation/feeling.
Anterior
The front position.
Apex
The end of the root.
Asepsis
No micro-organism.
Attrition
Wear of teeth due to activities such as chewing.
Bitewing
A kind of dental x-ray which is taken with the teeth bite together. The main function of this kind of x-ray is to detect cavity in between teeth and height of bone support.
Bleaching
Whitening of teeth.
Bridge
A prosthesis which is fixed inside the mouth to replace missing teeth.
Bruxism
Teeth grinding.
Canine
The third tooth from the middle of the jaw. There are totally 4 of them. They are the longest teeth in human.
Canker sore
An ulceration with yellow base and red border in mouth. It can be caused by trauma or herpes simplex virus.
Caries Tooth decay.
Cavity
A hole on the tooth.
Cast
A model of teeth.
Cementation
The process of "glue" the appliance/prosthesis on the associated area.
Chlorhexidine
An anti-microbial agent. It is available in many forms such as gels and rinses. It is an effective agent in controlling gum diseases.
Clasp
A metal arm extends from a removable partial denture. It helps to hold on to natural tooth structure and thus provide anchorage for the denture.
Cold sore
An ulcer or blister on lip. A form of herpes simplex.
Composite
White filling.
Cross-bite
An abnormal bite relationship of upper and lower jaw. The lower teeth/tooth align toward the check/ lip side more than the upper teeth/tooth.
Crown (porcelain/plastic/metal)
A crown is almost like a "cap" on a tooth. It covers the tooth partially or totally above the gum to restore its function and outlook.
Decay
The rotten part of the tooth.
Dentistry
A branch of medicine that involves diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of any disease concern about teeth, oral cavity, and associated structures.
Dentition
The position, type, and number of teeth in upper and lower jaw.
Denture (Immediate/complete/partial) (overdenture, temporary)
An artificial object to replace missing teeth and their neighboring structures. There are many different types of denture to satisfy different treatment requirements and patient preferences.
Denturist
The person who specializes in fabricating dentures. Denturist is not responsible for making any type of diagnosis or carrying out any other treatment (e.g. Removing teeth).
Desensitization
A procedure to reduce the sensitivity of teeth.
Diagnosis
The process of identifying dental disease.
Diastema
The space in between two adjacent teeth.
Distal
A direction indication in the mouth. It indicates the direction away from the middle of the jaw.
Edentulous
No teeth.
Endodontics
A department of dentistry involves diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental pulp (where the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth).
Eruption
The process of the tooth appearing in the mouth.
Excision
The action of cutting something off.
Filling
A restoration places on a tooth to restore its function and appearance.
Flipper
A temporary denture to replace missing teeth during the waiting period for long term treatment.
Floss
A thread/tape goes in between teeth for cleaning.
Fluoride
A compound of fluorine (an element) which be put in different forms such as water, gels, rinses to strengthen up teeth.
Fluoride Treatment
Teeth treat with fluoride agents like gel or rinse. It helps to prevent tooth decay.
Framework
A metal skeleton of a removable partial denture to support the false teeth and the plastic attachments.
Gingivitis
The mildest form of gum disease: inflammation of gum. The earliest sign is bleeding gum.
Hemorrhage
Bleeding
Homeostasis
Stop bleeding.
Impaction
A condition that a tooth is not able to come in normally or stuck underneath another tooth or bone.
Implant
A device (usually "screw-like") put in the jaw bone to support a false tooth, a denture or a bridge.
Impression
A mold taken by some jelly-like material loaded on a tray.
Incisal
The cutting edge of front teeth.
Incisor
The four upper and lower front teeth.
Inlay
A restoration (usually is gold, composite or ceremics) fabricated in the lab cements on tooth like a missing puzzle. It helps to restore the normal function and outlook of the tooth.
Interproximal
The space in between two adjacent teeth.
Lingual
The side of the tooth towards the tongue.
Mesial
The side of the tooth towards the middle of the jaw.
Molar
The last 3 upper and lower teeth on both side of the mouth.
Mouthguard
A device to be worn in the mouth. Depends on the design of it, it prevents injury on teeth and/or jaw during teeth grinding or sport events.
Nightguard
A mouthguard which is worn at night time.
Occlusal
The biting surface of the back teeth.
Occlusion
The way how the upper and lower teeth close together.
Onlay
A restoration covers the entire biting surface of a tooth.
Open bite
The situation that the upper teeth not able to contact the opposing lower teeth.
Orthodontics
A special field in dentistry which involves diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of bite abnormalities or facial irregularities.
Over bite
The overlap of upper teeth and lower teeth when they close together.
Overhang
The portion of filling material that hangs beyond the border of the cavity.
Palate
The roof of the mouth.
Panoramic Radiograph
An x-ray film to obtain the wide view of upper and lower jaw and their associated structures.
Perforation
An opening on a tooth or other oral structure.
Periapical
The surrounding of the bottom of the root of a tooth.
Periodontics
A specialty of dentistry involves diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of supporting unit of teeth.
Permanent teeth
Adult's teeth. The first permanent tooth usually comes in around 6 years old.
Pin
A piece of "nail-like" metal. It usually is used for better retention of a filling.
Polish
A process to make the tooth or filling or other denture smooth and glossy.
Pontic
The false tooth in a bridge or denture to replace the missing tooth.
Post
A big pin which can be made with different materials such as metal or carbon. Its function usually is to support a big buildup on a tooth.
Posterior
Locate at the back.
Pre-authorization
An approval from the particular authority (usually insurance company in dentistry) before any action (treatment) is carried out.
Pre-medication
Medication needs to be taken before treatment.
Premolar
The two teeth located in front of the molar.
Prescription
A written statement (from a doctor to a pharmacist) regarding the type, the amount and direction of the use of a medication for a patient. In dentistry, prescription can also be a written statement on preparation of an appliance from a dentist to a lab technician
Primary teeth
Baby teeth.
Prophylaxis/prophy
The procedure of teeth polishing. It also means the prevention of diseases.
Prosthesis
An artificial part to replace missing teeth and their associated structures.
Prosthodontics
A specialty of dentistry involves diagnosis, treatment planning, and fabrication of artificial parts to replace missing teeth and their associated structures.
Pulp
The inner most part of a tooth. It contains nerves and blood vessels inside a tooth.
Pulpectomy
The removal of the whole pulp inside a tooth.
Pulpotomy
The removal of the top part of the pulp inside a tooth.
Radiograph
An x-ray picture.
Recall
The regular checkup and teeth cleaning appointment.
Recementation
The process of "glue" the appliance/prosthesis back on the associated area.
Restoration
An item a dentist uses to restore the normal function of a tooth or an area in the mouth. It can be a filling, a crown, a bridge, etc.
Retainer
A device used for maintaining the position of teeth in the jaw in orthodontic treatment.
Retreatment
The process of repeating the root canal treatment.
Root
The bottom part of tooth. It anchors the tooth to its supporting units.
Root canal
The canal that runs inside the root of the tooth. It contains the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth.
Root canal treatment
A treatment for the root canal inside the tooth. Click here to see details.
Root planing
The action of cleaning on the root area of teeth.
Rubber dam
A rubber sheet that fits around teeth. It isolates the treatment area from the rest of the oral cavity.
Scaling
The action of cleaning of teeth below the gumline.
Sealant
A thin layer of plastic-like material covers the grooves and pits on a tooth to prevent cavity.
Sedation
The use of medication to calm down a patient.
Space Maintainer
An appliance to maintain the space in between teeth.
Splint
An appliance or a material to prevent movement of a mobile part.
Tempromandibular Joint (TMJ)
The joint that links two jaws.
Torus
An outgrowth on bone. It usually develops on the roof of the mouth or around the premolar area on the lower jaw.
Veneer
A layer of tooth-colored material (can be porcelain, composite, or ceramics) attaches to the front of the tooth. It is usually for better outlook of the tooth. Check to make sure a reputable supplier like schein dental supplies are being used.
Wisdom tooth
The eighth (also the last tooth) tooth from the middle of the jaw.
Xerostomia
Dry mouth
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
AHCCCS
The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is the name of the Medicaid program in the state of Arizona. As with all Medicaid programs, it is a joint program between the state and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It became the final such state Medicaid program to implemented under Title XIX (as all other states had previously created their own programs) when it began in October 1982 as a section 1115 demonstration project. The program acronym AHCCCS is frequently pronounced like the word "access."
In 1987, under a policy recommended by the AHCCCS, the Arizona state legislature voted to extend health care to some pregnant women and children in the indigent population and defund organ transplants. Subsequently, the AHCCCS received significant media attention after a woman from Yuma was denied funding for a liver transplant and died as a result.
Until 1988, AHCCCS covered only acute care, except for limited post-hospital skilled nursing facility coverage. The Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) was created to allow Arizona to implement a long-term care (LTC) program for the elderly, physically disabled, and the developmentally disabled. It is administered as a distinct program from the acute care program. Registering for the ALTCS program can be done either through ALTCS directly or through a third party agency.
In 1990, AHCCCS began phasing in mental health services, beginning with coverage of seriously emotionally disabled children under the age of 18 who require residential care. Over the next five years, behavioral health coverage was extended to all Medicaid eligible persons.
In 2001, AHCCCS received permission from CMS to expand eligibility for its Medicaid acute care program to 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
As of 2005, almost 1,013,800 people were served in the acute care program and close to 41,655 were enrolled in the LTC program. In addition, 50,672 children were enrolled in the Arizona SCHIP program, known as KidsCare.
In 1987, under a policy recommended by the AHCCCS, the Arizona state legislature voted to extend health care to some pregnant women and children in the indigent population and defund organ transplants. Subsequently, the AHCCCS received significant media attention after a woman from Yuma was denied funding for a liver transplant and died as a result.
Until 1988, AHCCCS covered only acute care, except for limited post-hospital skilled nursing facility coverage. The Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) was created to allow Arizona to implement a long-term care (LTC) program for the elderly, physically disabled, and the developmentally disabled. It is administered as a distinct program from the acute care program. Registering for the ALTCS program can be done either through ALTCS directly or through a third party agency.
In 1990, AHCCCS began phasing in mental health services, beginning with coverage of seriously emotionally disabled children under the age of 18 who require residential care. Over the next five years, behavioral health coverage was extended to all Medicaid eligible persons.
In 2001, AHCCCS received permission from CMS to expand eligibility for its Medicaid acute care program to 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
As of 2005, almost 1,013,800 people were served in the acute care program and close to 41,655 were enrolled in the LTC program. In addition, 50,672 children were enrolled in the Arizona SCHIP program, known as KidsCare.
Oral Health Companies
Glasko Smith Kline
GSK holds leading global positions in all its key consumer product areas. Worldwide it is the third largest in Oral care and in OTC medicines. In Nutritional healthcare it holds the leading position in the UK, India and Ireland.
Total Assets 65 billion
Main toothpaste is Aquafresh
Procter & Gamble
(NYSE:PG) is the world's largest producer of household and personal products by revenue, with its products reaching 4 billion people worldwide including Tide detergent, Pampers diapers, and Gillette razors, that generate over $1 billion in revenue annually.
Total Assets 144 billion
Main toothpaste is Crest
Colgate-Palmolive
(NYSE: CL) is one of the world's largest Consumer Products companies by market share with commercial presence on six continents. Since its 1806 founding, Colgate has grown into a multinational corporation known for its toothpaste and oral hygiene products. As of 2011, the company holds a staggering 44.7% global market share with its flagship toothpaste line.
Total Assets 14 billion
Main toothpaste is Colgate
Johnson & Johnson
(NYSE:JNJ) is the world's second largest and most broadly based manufacturer of health care products, with 2010 annual sales of $61.6 billion, a decline of 0.5% from 2009. The company holds a significant share of the consumer and pharmaceutical markets, and is the world's largest developer and manufacturer of medical treatment and diagnostic devices.
Total Assets 135 billion
Main toothpaste is Rembrandt
Unilever
(Euronext: UNA, LSE: ULVR) is an Anglo–Dutch multinational consumer goods company co-headquartered in London, England and Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Its products include food, beverages, cleaning agents and personal care products. It is the world's third-largest consumer goods company measured by 2012 revenue, afterProcter & Gamble and Nestlé. One of the oldest multinational companies, its products are available in around 190 countries.
Total Assets 66 billion
Main toothpaste is Close-Up
Church & Dwight Company
(NYSE: CHD) recorded 2007 total revenues of $2.2 billion. The company sells branded consumer products in the United States and abroad. The company's brands include Arm and Hammer and Trojan. The company sells its consumer products through retailers such as Wal-Mart.
Total Assets 4 billion
Main toothpaste is Aim
Monday, September 15, 2014
A Brief History of Orthodontics by Archwired.com
If you think the desire for straight teeth is a trapping of modern society, think again! Extreme Makeovers may be new, but "braces" date as far back as ancient man!
Even before George Washington wore his famous wooden teeth, dentists were thinking about ways to correct bad bites. In 1728, French Dentist Pierre Fauchard published a book called the "The Surgeon Dentist" with an entire chapter on ways to straighten teeth. Fauchard used a device called a "Bandeau," a horseshoe-shaped piece of precious metal which helped expand the arch. French Dentist Ettienne Bourdet followed Fauchard in 1757 with his book "The Dentist's Art", also devoting a chapter to tooth alignment and appliances. Bourdet was the dentist to the King of France. He further perfected the Bandeau, and is also the first dentist (on record) who recommended extraction of premolars to alleviate crowding. He was also the first to scientifically prove jaw growth. Here's a link to a series of pages with some fascinating illustrations of early expansion devices.
Scottish surgeon John Hunter wrote (among other surgical books) "The Natural History of the Human Teeth" in 1771, clearly describing dental anatomy. Hunter coined the terms bicuspids, cuspids, incisorsand molars. His second book, "A Practical Treatise on the Diseases of Teeth", described dental pathology. Although teeth straightening and extraction to improve alignment of remaining teeth has been practiced since early times, orthodontics as a science of its own did not really exist until the mid-1800s.
In America in the early 1900s, Edward H. Angle devised the first simple classification system for malocclusions, which is still used today (Class I, Class II, and so on). His classification system was a way for dentists to describe how crooked teeth are, what way teeth are pointing, and how teeth fit together. Angle contributed significantly to the design of orthodontic appliances, incorporating many simplifications. He founded the first school and college of orthodontics, organized the American Society of Orthodontia in 1901 (which became the AAO in the 1930s), and founded the first orthodontic journal in 1907. A journal and website bearing his name still thrive today. His highly praised reference book, "Malocclusion of the Teeth" went through seven editions. In the wake of all these advancements, the field of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics eventually became a respected dental specialty in its own right.
What did braces look like a century ago? In the early 1900s, orthodontists used gold, platinum, silver, steel, gum rubber, vulcanite (and occasionally, wood, ivory, zinc, copper, and brass) to form loops, hooks, spurs, and ligatures. Fourteen- to 18-karat gold was routinely used for wires, bands, clasps, ligatures, and spurs, as were iridium-platinum bands and arch wires, and platinized gold for brackets. Why gold? It is malleable and easy to shape. Gold had its drawbacks, however -- because of its softness it required frequent adjustments, and it was expensive! Anyway, you guessed it -- these bands wrapped entirely around the each tooth -- the original "metal mouth" was real gold or silver! How's that for bling?
Early History
Even ancient people wanted straight teeth! According to the AAO (American Association of Orthodontists), archaeologists have discovered mummified ancients with crude metal bands wrapped around individual teeth. To close gaps, it has been surmised that catgut did the work
now done by today's orthodontic wire! Later, in 400-500 BC, Hippocrates and Aristotle both ruminated about ways to straighten teeth and fix various dental conditions. Straight teeth have been on our minds a very long time!
now done by today's orthodontic wire! Later, in 400-500 BC, Hippocrates and Aristotle both ruminated about ways to straighten teeth and fix various dental conditions. Straight teeth have been on our minds a very long time!
While Greece was in its Golden Age, the Etruscans (the precursors of the Romans) were burying their dead with appliances that were used to maintain space and prevent collapse of the dentition during life. Then in a Roman tomb in Egypt, a researcher found a number of teeth bound with a gold wire -- the first documented ligature wire! At the time of Christ, Aurelius Cornelius Celsus first recorded the treatment of teeth by finger pressure. Despite all this evidence and experimentation, no significant events in orthodontics really occurred until the much later, in around the 1700s (although dentistry as a whole made great advancements in the interim). It should be noted that in Medieval times, specialized barbers often performed dental "operations", extractions, and procedures such as blood-letting. Let's be glad we live in the 21st Century!
Important Breakthroughs
Even before George Washington wore his famous wooden teeth, dentists were thinking about ways to correct bad bites. In 1728, French Dentist Pierre Fauchard published a book called the "The Surgeon Dentist" with an entire chapter on ways to straighten teeth. Fauchard used a device called a "Bandeau," a horseshoe-shaped piece of precious metal which helped expand the arch. French Dentist Ettienne Bourdet followed Fauchard in 1757 with his book "The Dentist's Art", also devoting a chapter to tooth alignment and appliances. Bourdet was the dentist to the King of France. He further perfected the Bandeau, and is also the first dentist (on record) who recommended extraction of premolars to alleviate crowding. He was also the first to scientifically prove jaw growth. Here's a link to a series of pages with some fascinating illustrations of early expansion devices.Scottish surgeon John Hunter wrote (among other surgical books) "The Natural History of the Human Teeth" in 1771, clearly describing dental anatomy. Hunter coined the terms bicuspids, cuspids, incisorsand molars. His second book, "A Practical Treatise on the Diseases of Teeth", described dental pathology. Although teeth straightening and extraction to improve alignment of remaining teeth has been practiced since early times, orthodontics as a science of its own did not really exist until the mid-1800s.
In 1819 Delabarre introduced the wire crib, which marked the birth of contemporary orthodontics. The term orthodontia was coined by Joachim Lafoulon in 1841. Gum elastics were first employed by Maynard in 1843. Tucker was the first to cut rubber bands from rubber tubing in 1850. And in the late 1800s, Eugene Solomon Talbot was the first person to use X-rays for orthodontic diagnosis. But all this was nothing compared to advances in orthodontics in the 20th Century.
Daddy-O (as in Orthodontic)
Historians claim that several men deserve the title of being called "The Father of Orthodontics." Fauchard certainly took orthodontics out of the dark ages, but these men really put maloclussion on the map. One man was Norman W. Kingsley, a dentist, writer, artist, and sculptor. In 1858, he wrote the first article on orthodontics, and in 1880, his book "Treatise on Oral Deformities" was published. The second man who deserves credit was a dentist named J. N. Farrar who wrote two volumes entitled "A Treatise on the Irregularities of the Teeth and Their Corrections". Farrar was very good at designing brace appliances, and he was the first to suggest the use of mild force at timed intervals to move teeth.
In America in the early 1900s, Edward H. Angle devised the first simple classification system for malocclusions, which is still used today (Class I, Class II, and so on). His classification system was a way for dentists to describe how crooked teeth are, what way teeth are pointing, and how teeth fit together. Angle contributed significantly to the design of orthodontic appliances, incorporating many simplifications. He founded the first school and college of orthodontics, organized the American Society of Orthodontia in 1901 (which became the AAO in the 1930s), and founded the first orthodontic journal in 1907. A journal and website bearing his name still thrive today. His highly praised reference book, "Malocclusion of the Teeth" went through seven editions. In the wake of all these advancements, the field of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics eventually became a respected dental specialty in its own right.
Other innovations in orthodontics in the late 1800s and early 1900s included the first textbook on orthodontics for students, published by J.J. Guilford in 1889, and the use of rubber elastics, pioneered by Calvin S. Case (some believe it was H. A. Baker).
The First Metal Mouths
What did braces look like a century ago? In the early 1900s, orthodontists used gold, platinum, silver, steel, gum rubber, vulcanite (and occasionally, wood, ivory, zinc, copper, and brass) to form loops, hooks, spurs, and ligatures. Fourteen- to 18-karat gold was routinely used for wires, bands, clasps, ligatures, and spurs, as were iridium-platinum bands and arch wires, and platinized gold for brackets. Why gold? It is malleable and easy to shape. Gold had its drawbacks, however -- because of its softness it required frequent adjustments, and it was expensive! Anyway, you guessed it -- these bands wrapped entirely around the each tooth -- the original "metal mouth" was real gold or silver! How's that for bling?
In 1929, the first dental specialty board, the American Board of Orthodontics, was born. On a side note, the first synthetic (nylon)-bristle toothbrush was invented in 1938. Around this time, stainless steel became widely available, but using it for braces was considered somewhat controversial. It wasn't generally accepted as a material for orthodontic treatment until the late 1950s/early 1960s! In addition, you may be surprised to learn that x-rays were not routinely used in orthodontic treatment until the 1950s!
Advancements in the 1970s
Braces continued to wrap around the teeth until the mid 1970s, when direct bonding became a reality. Why did it take so long for dentists to invent the modern bonded bracket? The adhesive! The bonded bracket was actually invented earlier, but the formulation for the adhesive wasn't perfected until almost a decade later. At first, bonded brackets were (of course) made of metal. Like any new method, it took a while for the direct bond bracket to catch on -- which is why some people may remember wearing the old "wrap around" metal braces into the late 1970s.
Around this time, the self-ligating bracket also appeared on the scene. 
Self-ligating brackets don't need tie wires or elastic ligatures to hold the arch wire onto the bracket -- they are held on by a "trap door" built into each bracket. As early as 1935, the idea of a self-ligating brackets began to take shape. Over the years many designs were patented, but few were commercially available until Ormco created the Edgelock system in 1972. As the 1980s and 1990s progressed, many companies created their own versions of self-ligating brackets and improved upon the idea by offering both passive and active resistance on the arch wire. Nowadays, we have a number of self-ligating choices, such as Orec's Speed Braces, Ormco's Damon System, GAC's In-Ovation, and Adenta's Evolution.
Self-ligating brackets don't need tie wires or elastic ligatures to hold the arch wire onto the bracket -- they are held on by a "trap door" built into each bracket. As early as 1935, the idea of a self-ligating brackets began to take shape. Over the years many designs were patented, but few were commercially available until Ormco created the Edgelock system in 1972. As the 1980s and 1990s progressed, many companies created their own versions of self-ligating brackets and improved upon the idea by offering both passive and active resistance on the arch wire. Nowadays, we have a number of self-ligating choices, such as Orec's Speed Braces, Ormco's Damon System, GAC's In-Ovation, and Adenta's Evolution.
In the 1970s, Earl Bergersen, DDS created the passive Ortho-Tain appliances, which guide jaw growth and help correct orthodontic problems and malocclusions in both children and adults. The Ortho-Tain appliances look like custom plastic mouthguards, and are worn mainly at night, or for only a few hours each day. In many cases, people have been able to correct (or greatly diminish) many types of orthodontic problems with these removable custom-made appliances.
Around 1975, two orthodontists working independently in
Japan and the United States started developing their own systems to place braces on the inside surfaces of the teeth -- lingual braces. These "invisible braces" offered people the results of bonded brackets with one big advantage -- they were on the inside of the teeth, so nobody else could see them! In America, the late Dr. Craven Kurz of Beverly Hills California developed the Kurz/Ormco lingual system. In Japan, Professor Kinya Fujita, of Kanagawa Dental University invented his own lingual system, and continues to make great advances in the lingual method.
Japan and the United States started developing their own systems to place braces on the inside surfaces of the teeth -- lingual braces. These "invisible braces" offered people the results of bonded brackets with one big advantage -- they were on the inside of the teeth, so nobody else could see them! In America, the late Dr. Craven Kurz of Beverly Hills California developed the Kurz/Ormco lingual system. In Japan, Professor Kinya Fujita, of Kanagawa Dental University invented his own lingual system, and continues to make great advances in the lingual method.
It takes special training to treat a patient with lingual braces, and many American orthodontists in the 1970s and 1980s were reluctant to use the method -- but orthodontists in other countries readily embraced it, and continued to make advancements with new techniques. Recently, lingual braces have become more popular because technology has made them more comfortable. One example is iBraces, a company which custom-fabricates brackets for a patient's teeth with the aid of digital computer imaging.
Lingual braces were the "invisible" braces of choice until the early 1980s, when "tooth colored" esthetic brackets made from single-crystal sapphire and ceramics came into vogue. Nowadays we also have brackets made from a combination of ceramic and metal -- giving the patient a strength of metal with esthetic look of less noticeable "tooth colored" braces. Recently, a European company even invented a ceramic bracket that is self-ligating!
Invisible Braces via Silicon Valley
As far back as 1945, orthodontists realized that a sequence of removable plastic appliances could move teeth toward a predetermined result. Some orthodontists even made simple plastic "aligner trays" in their offices for minor adjustments. But it took an adult who'd just had braces to take the concept a step further. 
Invisalign was the brainchild of Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth, graduate students in Stanford University's MBA program. Wirth had traditional braces in high school (she reportedly hated them). Chishti had finished adult treatment with traditional braces and now wore a clear plastic retainer. He noticed that if he didn't wear his retainer for a few days, his teeth shifted slightly -- but the plastic retainer soon moved his teeth back the desired position. In 1997, he and Wirth applied 3-D computer imaging graphics to the field of orthodontics and created Align Technologies and the Invisalign method. With a boost from ample Silicon Valley venture funding, Align soon took the orthodontic industry by storm. Dentists and other dental companies were skeptical at first, because neither Chishti nor Wirth had any professional dental training. Invisalign braces were first made available to the public in May, 2000 and proved extremely popular with patients. Soon similar products began appearing on the market, made by GAC,
3-M Unitek, Ormco, OrthoClear, and others.
3-M Unitek, Ormco, OrthoClear, and others.
The Future: Technology Continues to Advance
As technology enhances our daily lives, it also continues to advance the science of orthodontics. More and more 
companies are utilizing digital computer imaging to make orthodontic treatment more precise. The SureSmile system by OraMetrix, for example, takes a detailed 3-D model of a patient’s teeth and helps the orthodontist develop a precise treatment plan for tooth movement. The orthodontist's treatment plan then drives a highly accurate robotic process to customize the arch wires needed for treatment. This often shortens treatment time and gives highly accurate results.
companies are utilizing digital computer imaging to make orthodontic treatment more precise. The SureSmile system by OraMetrix, for example, takes a detailed 3-D model of a patient’s teeth and helps the orthodontist develop a precise treatment plan for tooth movement. The orthodontist's treatment plan then drives a highly accurate robotic process to customize the arch wires needed for treatment. This often shortens treatment time and gives highly accurate results.
NASA developed one of the late 20th century's most dramatic orthodontic breakthroughs: heat-activated nickel-titanium alloy wires. At room temperature, heat-activated nickel-titanium arch wires are very flexible. As they warm to body temperature they become active and gradually move the teeth in the anticipated direction. Because of their high-tech properties, these wires retain their tooth-moving abilities longer than ordinary metal wires and need less frequent attention from the orthodontist. Many orthodontists now employ heat-activated wires in their treatment plans.
What does all this mean for the orthodontic patient of the future? As companies develop more precise, high-tech materials and methods, your braces will be on for a shorter period of time, be smaller and less visible, result in less discomfort, and give great results. We've sure come a long way from the wrap-around "metal mouth" -- and that's something we can all smile about!
The following references and websites provided information, images, (and in some cases, whole sentences) for this article. Thanks to:
www.braces.org and the AAO staff
www.angle.org and the article Orthodontic Biomaterials: From the Past to the Present by Robert P. Kusy, PhD
The Journal of the Canadian Dental Association, Lingual Orthodontics:History, Misconceptions and Clarification by Paul H. Ling, DDS, MDS, MOrthRCS
The British Orthodontic Society's Journal of Orthodontics, Self-Ligating Brackets: Where Are We Now byN. W. T. Harradine
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentalfacial Orthopedics, Orthodontics in 3 Millenia article series by Norman Wahl (special for the AAO Journal)
"Der Zahnbrecher von Gerard Honthorst" Lithograph by Franz Hanfstaegl after the painting by Gerard Honthorst
The National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore, MD
No, the statue didn't really have braces. I Photoshopped them in. As if you couldn't tell.
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