The history of dental crowns from ancient Europe to modern Ladera Ranch

A dental crown is a simple, durable, and effective way to restore and protect a damaged or compromised tooth. You might think that the idea is a product of modern dentistry, but that is not the case. Throughout history, people have made various attempts to improve the health and even appearance of teeth. Although many ancient practices have disappeared through the centuries, the concept of dental crowns has endured for thousands of years – with many improvements along the way.

The first dental crowns

Archeologists have found evidence of crowns, bridges, and other dental restorations as far back as a pre-Roman people called Etruscans. Primitive dental crowns were typically made from metals, including gold, lead, or silver, with a crude design. Although we have no way of knowing the process used in ancient times, one can assume that it was less than comfortable.

Little evidence has been found of crowns being used in the Middle Ages, but it was revived in the 1500s. By the 1700s crowns were once again common, although the materials of choice in this era were human or animal teeth. They were secured by various methods, including posts made of metal or wood.

Recent history

The modern dental crown technique began taking shape in the late 1800s, when porcelain came into favor. It was durable, and resembled real teeth, which was a novelty at the time. However, the placement technique was still problematic. By the end of that century, a dentist named Charles H Land revolutionized dentistry with the development of the porcelain jacket crown. It surrounded the tooth in porcelain, hence the name "jacket."

Dr. Land's invention quickly gained popularity in the early 1900s. Additionally, during this era, the idea of creating casts and customizing crowns was born. There was still one problem with porcelain crowns, and that was strength. In the 1960s, porcelain fused to metal was developed. Although those crowns tended to be dark around the base, they were a great improvement over pure metal when strength was needed.

Modern dental crowns

Through scientific research and extensive clinical testing, dental porcelains have become stronger and more beautiful. The firing temperature, microstructure, additives, and other factors affect the strength of ceramic materials such as porcelain. By adjusting these factors, researchers have developed several types of durable, high-strength porcelain, virtually eliminating the need for metal.

The most recent milestone in the history of dental crowns was the development of in-office milling, using CAD/CAM technology. Although this has not been implemented at every dental office, residents of Mission Viejo and nearby communities such as Ladera Ranch can benefit from the latest dental technology. Just call 949-427-2096 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Nina or Alex Basti.