Back to School: A Quick History of Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry isn’t just about looks. While yes, the goal of many procedures is to improve the appearance of your smile, when you restore your teeth, you are doing more than simply making them look better. Often, you are also boosting your self-esteem, making it easier to enjoy the foods you love, and maybe even alleviating pain or sensitivity.

Cosmetic dentistry itself has only been around since the 1980s, following the invention of the resin cement used in many now-common procedures. But throughout time, however, there have been many other attempts to improve the appearance of the smile, often using some unconventional means. Here’s a brief history of how modern cosmetic dentistry came to be.