Remember Those 80s Braces? How Times Have Changed!
By Jane Duncan, freelance writer
February 22 2021

The metal-mouthed villain Jaws (Richard Kiel) in the James Bond movie Moonraker
Nothing Was Hidden
Veneers Were Non-Existent
Veneers, now a ‘must-have dental accessory’ for celebs and influencers, actually hail back to the 1920s, but it was not until the late 1990s that they began to really gain favour, owing mainly to the fact that new-fangled veneers are finer and more natural-looking than the bulkier originals.
Today, it is possible to have veneers fitted for a super straight, white smile, without grinding existing teeth down out of existence, thanks to super-fine materials and strong bonding glue. Veneers still need brushing and flossing (since cavities can form on teeth or beneath the gum line), but they don’t require much more fuss than that. They do require twice-yearly visits to the dentist for maintenance, but you will probably agree that this beats twice-weekly visits for painful bracket tightening.

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon from Pexels
Braces Are Back
Today, some celebrities (think Miley Cyrus, Dakota Fanning and Tom Cruise) are openly rocking braces at red carpet events, since 80s nostalgia is bigger than ever, and those wearing orthodontics for a short time often opt to use this accessory as an ‘embellishment’. This, of course, is hard to believe for someone who is still a little traumatized from being teased as a kid in an 80s high school.
Today, you can choose from brackets and rubber bands in all colours, with some fashionistas rocking rainbow-hued brackets or bands in neon blue, green or yellow.
The 21st century has ushered in an era of diversity and political correctness. While this may be annoying if you’re into dark humour, it certainly is a relief for anyone who doesn’t fit into the norm - including children who have to wear braces.