Edward Angle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Edward Angle
Angle in 1898
Born	Edward Hartley Angle June 1, 1855 (1855-06) Herricks, New York, U.S.
Died	August 11, 1930(1930-08-11) (aged 75)
Education	Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery
Known for	Being the 'father of' modern orthodontics
Medical career
Profession	Dentist
Institutions	University of Minnesota Northwestern University Marion Sims College of Medicine Washington University Medical Department
Sub-specialties	orthodontics

Edward Hartley Angle (born June 1, 1855 – died August 11, 1930) was an important American dentist. Many people call him "the father of modern orthodontics." Orthodontics is a special part of dentistry that focuses on straightening teeth and correcting jaw problems. Angle spent his life making sure that orthodontics was taught and practiced in a clear, standard way. He even started his own schools to train future orthodontists.

Who Was Edward Angle?

Edward Hartley Angle was a pioneering American dentist. He is famous for creating the field of orthodontics as we know it today. He developed ways to classify crooked teeth and jaws. He also invented many of the tools and braces used to fix them. His work helped make orthodontics a recognized and important dental specialty.

Early Life and Education

Edward Angle was born on June 1, 1855, in Herricks, New York. He was one of seven children. From a young age, Edward showed a natural talent for working with tools and machines. He went to high school in Canton, Pennsylvania. Before becoming a dentist, he worked for a local dentist for two years, from 1874 to 1876. He then studied at the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery. He officially became a dentist in 1878.

Starting His Dental Career

After finishing dental school, Edward Angle began working in Towanda, Pennsylvania. In 1881, he had some health issues. This led him to move to Minnesota for a few months to recover. After his health improved, he tried sheep ranching in Montana with his brother. However, a harsh winter in 1882 caused him to lose his sheep. He then moved to Minneapolis in 1882. He married Florence A Canning in March 1887 and they had a daughter.

In 1886, Angle started teaching at the University of Minnesota. He taught about comparative anatomy and orthodontics. At the same time, he also had his own dental practice. His early interest was in making artificial teeth (prosthodontics). He even taught this subject in dental schools.

In 1887, he published his first paper in a textbook. This was the start of his famous book, which would have seven editions. He became the President of the Minneapolis City Dental Society in 1888. By 1890, he published the second edition of his textbook. Soon after, he decided to focus only on orthodontics. He left his teaching job at the University of Minnesota to do this.

He published more editions of his textbook, including "The angle system of regulation and retention of teeth" in 1892. In 1895, he published the fourth edition, which also covered treating jaw fractures. He then relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, with his family and his assistant, Anna Hopkins. He later earned a medical degree in 1897.

He later married Anna Hopkins in St. Louis in 1908. They moved to Larchmont, New York, where he continued teaching. Later, in 1911, they moved to New London, Connecticut. Due to health reasons, he eventually moved to Pasadena, California. In 1917, he opened his school in his new home in Pasadena.

From 1892 to 1899, he was a professor of orthodontics at several universities. These included the Northwestern University Dental School and Washington University Medical Department. He published the sixth edition of his textbook in 1900.

Becoming the Father of Orthodontics

In 1899, Edward Angle taught a special course on orthodontics in St. Louis. His students were so impressed that they encouraged him to create a school. In 1900, he founded the Angle School of Orthodontia in St. Louis, Missouri. This school officially made orthodontics a separate dental specialty.

Angle gave orthodontics a new direction. He created the word malocclusion. This term describes when teeth are not aligned correctly or when the upper and lower jaws don't fit together properly. He also developed a way to classify these problems. He invented many appliances (braces) to treat them. He even came up with new surgical methods. Angle wrote several books and pamphlets to standardize orthodontic tools and treatments. His most famous book was "Treatment of Malocclusion of the Teeth and Fractures of the Maxillae: Angle's System."

His deep interest in how teeth fit together (dental occlusion) led him to develop orthodontics. This is why he is known as the "father of modern orthodontics." In the 1890s, he created a system to classify malocclusion. This was a huge step forward. It not only described different types of misaligned teeth but also clearly defined what "normal occlusion" (perfectly aligned teeth) looks like.

Angle also cared about how teeth looked, not just how they worked. He worked with an artist named Edmund H. Wuerpel. Together, they explored how art and beauty could be applied to orthodontics. Wuerpel often gave talks at Angle's request.

In 1901, Angle founded the Society of Orthodontists. This group later became the American Association of Orthodontists. The journal "The Angle Orthodontist" was started in 1930. It is the official publication of the Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists.

Angle strongly believed that all teeth should be kept. He was against removing teeth as part of orthodontic treatment. He thought that having a perfect bite was the best way to achieve a great-looking face. Edward Angle held 46 patents for his inventions.

Understanding Malocclusion

In the 1890s, Edward Angle introduced a system to classify malocclusion. This system changed the field of orthodontics. He explained that if the top and bottom back teeth (molars) lined up correctly, with the upper molar fitting into a specific groove of the lower molar, then the bite would be normal. This simple system helped everyone understand and define healthy tooth alignment.

Angle's Classification System

Angle's system divides how teeth fit together into four main groups: normal occlusion, Class I, Class II, and Class III.

• Normal Occlusion: This is when the teeth are perfectly aligned and the upper and lower molars fit together correctly.
• Class I: The molars are aligned correctly, but other teeth might be crooked, rotated, or have other issues.
• Class II: The lower molars are positioned too far back compared to the upper molars. This often results in the upper front teeth sticking out.
• Class III: The lower molars are positioned too far forward compared to the upper molars. This can make the lower jaw appear to stick out.

This classification system helps orthodontists understand and plan treatments for different types of bite problems.

Amazing Orthodontic Inventions

Edward Angle invented several important tools and braces to move teeth. Here are some of his key inventions:

• E (expansion) Arch Appliance (1907): This was one of his early braces. It helped widen the dental arch but had limited control over individual teeth.
• Pin & Tube Appliance (1910): This brace used gold and platinum bands on all teeth. Small vertical tubes were soldered to the bands, and pins were inserted to move teeth. It was difficult to rotate teeth or make their roots parallel with this appliance.
• Ribbon Arch Appliance (1915): This improved on the Pin & Tube appliance. It used a vertical bracket soldered to a band, which allowed for tooth rotation. Dr. Raymond Begg later used this idea to create his "light wire technique."
• Edgewise Appliance (1925): This was a major breakthrough. It used identical brackets for all teeth. A rectangular wire was placed into a horizontal slot in the bracket. This allowed teeth to be moved in all directions by bending the wire. The wire was held in place by small metal ties. The original slot size was .022 x .028 inches. This appliance has been modified many times since then.

His Legacy and Impact

Edward Angle passed away on August 11, 1930, in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 75. He died from heart failure. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, California. His last words were, "I have finished my work and I did my best."

Angle's contributions completely transformed dentistry. He established orthodontics as a distinct and respected profession. His classification system and appliance designs are still fundamental to orthodontic practice today. He truly earned his title as the "father of modern orthodontics."

Images for kids

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  These are examples of functional expanders, similar to the types of appliances Edward Angle helped develop.

See also

• Calvin Case