The Evolution of Dental Crowns

If someone has a tooth that is severely decayed, broken or otherwise structurally compromised, their dentist will likely recommend that they have it protected with a dental crown. A dental crown is a customized cap that is placed over the chewing surface of the damaged tooth to restore its function and appearance as well as protect it from additional harm. However, dental crowns haven’t always been how they are today. Read on to learn about their history.

The Beginning of Dental Crowns

According to the American Dental Association, the Etruscans were using dental prosthetics as early as 166 AD. This includes the use of gold dental crowns as well as fixed bridgework. However, these dental crowns weren’t used for the same purposes as they are used today. Gold dental crowns were believed to be used as a symbol of wealth – especially for Etruscan woman. These crowns were not used to repair broken teeth, and they weren’t placed by “dentists.” Instead, they were made by goldsmiths who would remove healthy teeth and refit and replace them with cold banding. This was for aesthetic purposes and was fragile, so wearers couldn’t enjoy hard or coarse food. These wealthy individuals would have their servants cook them soft foods so they wouldn’t ruin their “dental work.”

Dental Crowns in the Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, dental treatment 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 procedures of dentary, including the process of properly performing fillings and placing dental crowns. In 1575, Ambrose Pare published “Complete Works” where he got even more technical with the importance surrounding treatment, 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 type of crown was used to make a broken tooth appear whole and undamaged, as it surrounded the entirety of the tooth. However, this invention was vulnerable to microscopic cracking, causing issues over time.

The next significant advancement in dental crowns was in the 20^th century when porcelain fused-to-metal crowns were created. This combination of materials allowed patients to have a more natural-looking appearance from the porcelain while also receiving the durability the metal could provide. In 1984, the first synthetic crown made from ceramic and glass was manufactured.

Dental crowns can keep damaged teeth protected for many years, allowing them to last for much longer than they would have otherwise. Thanks to man years of trial and error, modern crowns are reliable, natural-looking, and comfortable.

About the Practice

At Advanced Dental Solutions of Pittsburgh, Dr. Dan Rairigh, Dr. Joshua Culver, and Dr. Dakota Goodrum work together to treat patients in the Pittsburgh 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 their website or call (412) 854-2310.