A historical review of Orthodontics

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The history of orthodontics dates back to ancient times when Hippocrates the Greek physician wrote about teeth irregularities and their treatment. However the first modern orthodontic textbookThe Surgeon Dentist by Pierre Fauchard was published in 1728.In the 19th century dentists began to focus on the correction of teeth irregularities as a distinct specialty and the first orthodontic society was established in 1900. The use of appliances to straighten teeth became widespread in the early 20th century and Edward Angle known as the Father of Modern Orthodontics introduced the concept of malocclusion and classification of dental irregularities.During the 20th century orthodontics evolved significantly with the introduction of new materials and technologies such as stainless steel wires and brackets and the development of new techniques such as lingual braces and clear aligners. Today orthodontics is an important field of dentistry that continues to advance with an increasing focus on early intervention and interdisciplinary treatment.