Our Blog

Sometimes real life is stranger and more interesting that any made-up story. These weird and interesting facts about braces will amuse you … and make you glad you didn’t have to get braces “way back when.”

Mummies with braces: Archaeologists have discovered mummies with crude bands of metal wrapped around their teeth. The metal was wrapped around each individual tooth, and it is believed that ancient dentists used catgut to guide the teeth and close the gaps.

First “official” braces: The first official braces were constructed in 1728 by Pierre Fauchard. They consisted of flat strips of metal. String was used to connect the metal to the teeth.

Early rubber bands: In 1850, Tucker began making rubber bands out of rubber tubing.

Brackets are better: Brackets were invented by Edward Angle in 1915. They were not bonded to the teeth directly, but instead were attached to bands that went around the teeth.

Wiring by NASA: As braces have become more modern, the technology has improved by leaps and bounds. You may know that some braces wire contains nickel titanium. What you may not know is that this metal was developed by NASA and has special shape memory that is activated by pressure or body heat.

Over 60 with braces: Actress Faye Dunaway got braces at the age of 61, which shows you are never too old to look more fabulous!

Oh, and one more thing that didn’t quite make our list, but is interesting all the same. Did you know that almost 25 percent of patients who get braces have to get them again because they wouldn’t wear their retainers? So suck it up, buttercup, and use that retainer!

This past Wednesday Dr. Sokolow went on another bike tour with his group!

This time they toured along the coastal bluffs trail of Wilder Ranch State Park and around the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, where real whale skeletons are mounted outdoors. Visitors can get up close to appreciate the size of the blue whale and grey whale! Dr. Sokolow "shook hands" with the blue whale skeleton on display:

They ended the ride with a tasty lunch at a Brazilian restaurant in Santa Cruz! It was a great day for a fun adventure!

At Donald P. Connolly, DDS, we aren’t just concerned with straightening your teeth and giving you the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. We are also committed improving the oral health and the well-being of all our patients. Dr. Don Connolly and Dr. Stanley Sokolow and our team strive to serve our patients by educating them about their treatments, as well as making them feel as comfortable as possible during their initial consultations up until the day they complete their treatments.

Making our patients more comfortable with taking care of their braces in between visits increases the likelihood that they will complete their treatments successfully. We want you to know that if you should ever have any questions about your orthodontic treatment, whether it’s during your adjustment appointment or after hours, we are always here for you and your family.

Please do not hesitate to give us a call at our Santa Cruz, Aptos, or Watsonville, CA office or ask us any questions you may have on our Facebook page! We can’t wait to hear from you!

Last weekend, Dr. Sokolow took a wilderness first aid course on the UC Santa Cruz campus given by the Wilderness Medicine Institute of "NOLS" (National Outdoor Leadership School).  The course is given in many venues around the country throughout the year to provide training for people who want to know how to take care of medical emergencies that may arise while in the great outdoors, far from emergency services. It was raining and hailing, so the group had some realistic practice sessions outdoors in the weather, in addition to the classroom!  Dr. Sokolow is now certified in wilderness first aid!

Here's the doctor practicing how to splint a mock patient's broken arm with improvised materials: