The Gilded Age: A Brief History of Sterngold Dental and the Dental Industry

The Gilded Age was era of rapid economic growth, especially in the Northern and Western United States. This unique period saw significant urbanization (by 1900, nearly 40% of Americans lived in major cities) as well as astounding advances in technology, transforming America into an industrial powerhouse. Starting with the end of the Civil War, this remarkable growth spurt was driven—in large part—by bold and ambitious “captains of industry” including notable figures like J.P. Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, and Cornelius Vanderbilt. Sometimes called “robber barons” by the less fortunate, these men were the brains behind some of the century’s most well known monopolies and oversaw incredible developments, including the first transcontinental railroad and steel factory mechanization.

Meanwhile... It was during this time period that Mr. I. Stern founded the original company, “I. Stern & Company, Inc.” with one employee by his side: Mr. Samuel Newman. Originally located near Union Square (at that time the center of New York's dental supply trade), the firm confined its products to the dental field for the first half of its existence.

sterngold dental founder — Mr I. Stern - Sterngold Founder

1890S

The late 1800s is an important period of innovation in the field of dentistry. In Micro-Organisms of the Human Mouth—published in 1890—Willoughby Miller describes the microbial basis of dental decay. What followed is a sudden but persistent interest in oral hygiene. In fact, a global movement is quickly established to promote daily toothbrushing and flossing, hitherto considered an optional part of a person’s usual routine. Then in 1896, a well-known dentist—C. Edmond Kells of New Orleans—takes the first dental x-ray of a living person in the United States. By 1899, the different types of malocclusion have been identified and orthodontics becomes a dental specialty.

Meanwhile, at Sterngold... In the 1890s, the core business of I. Stern & Company, Inc. involved fabricating precious alloys. In fact, our company was credited with the production of the very first consistently formulated and alloyed dental casting golds. All work is done by just two staff members—founder Mr. Stern and his right-hand man, Mr. Newman—at the plant’s original headquarters near Union Square in New York.

original sterngold dental office — 1897 - Original Stern plant and personnel in New York City.

1900-1920

The porcelain jacket crown is invented, as is the local anesthetic which would later become Novocaine. In 1906, Herman Chayes develops the T-shaped precision attachment, and by 1912 he refines his model and produces the Chayes attachment. In 1907 William Taggert devises his “lost wax” casting machine, thereby giving dentists the ability to craft precision cast fillings, while in 1908 , the leading reformer and educator of American dentistry—Greene Vardiman Black—publishes his Operative Dentistry. Comprised of two volumes, this massive tome would be the definitive dental text for clinicians for the next fifty years. In 1913, the man often referred to as the “Father of Dental Hygiene”—Dr. Fones—established the very first school of oral hygiene, and becoming a licensed “hygienist” became a reliable and sought after line of work. Then, in 1918, the Ney Company sold the first dental attachment.

Meanwhile, at Sterngold... In 1906, the I. Stern & Company, Inc. factory moves from Union Square to 116th Street. By 1918, the staff numbers 15, of whom one, Mr. H. James Stern, served in the Army, others not being of military age. At this stage of the company’s evolution, the core focus is still the manufacturing of precious metal dental alloys.

operative dentistry by Greene Vardiman Black — Operative Dentistry by Greene Vardiman Black

1921-1940

The American Board of Orthodontics—the world’s first dental specialty board—is established in 1930. Just prior to 1940, two important developments are introduced to the world of dentistry: screw based implants and the synthetic toothbrush. In 1936, an orthopedic surgeon named Charles Venable invents a biocompatible implant metal and calls it Vitallium. The following year (1937) a dentist named Alvin Strock uses this new material to create and insert a dental screw implant on a patient. And in 1938, oral hygiene is changed forever when the nylon toothbrush (the first to use synthetic fibers) is introduced to consumers.

Meanwhile, at Sterngold... In 1921, Sterngold produces our first dental attachment, the Type 7, which is very similar to the Stern Latch. Throughout the 1920s, Sterngold evolves into a leading manufacturer of dental implants and dental attachments. (As the Ney Company is no longer in business, that currently makes Sterngold the oldest existing dental attachment company in the world!) In 1926, the factory moves to West 40th Street in New York and activities are extended to include fabrication of precious materials for the jewelry trade, electrical sector, and other industries. In 1940, the factory is moved again, this time to 233 Spring Street.

Sterngold Dental — Sterngold factory at 233 Spring Street in New York.

1941-1960

In 1945, cities begin treating their water with sodium fluoride and in 1950, the first fluoride toothpastes are introduced to market. In 1948 President Truman establishes the National Institute of Dental Research which secures ongoing federal funding for dental developments and innovations. In 1949, a process for adhering acrylic to dentin is developed by Swiss chemist Oskar Hagger, and then in 1955, the use of acrylics in dentistry is further evolved by the invention of the acid etch technique. Discovered by Michael Buonocore, this process increases the bond of acrylic fillings to enamel, making tooth-colored fillings (as opposed to metal ones) ever more popular and practical. Meanwhile, in 1952, Swedish physician Per-Ingvar Brånemark discovers titanium can be fused with bone, and he would later develop the modern dental implant. By 1960, sit-down high speed dentistry that uses four hands and high speed drills for shortened treatment time becomes the norm.

Meanwhile, at Sterngold... In 1947, I. Stern & Company, Inc. celebrates its 50th anniversary. The staff consisted of approximately 140 men and women divided into groups of trained craftsmen, engineers in metallurgical and other branches, sales, and office personnel, etc. A Group Insurance and a Retirement Plan are installed for employees, and the plant moves from New York City to 320 Washington St., Mt. Vernon, NY, where over 60,000 feet of manufacturing space is devoted to fabricating fine precious metal products, including STERN golds, solders, and attachments.

Mt. Vernon Sterngold Dental Manufacturing Plant — The 60,000 square foot Sterngold Manufacturing plant in Mt. Vernon.

1961-1980

In 1962, Rafael Bowen patents Bis-GMA. This thermoset methacrylate monomer complex becomes the go-to choice for most modern composite resin restorative materials and is still widely used in dental work today. Then in 1965, Per-Ingvar Branemark places his first titanium dental implant into a human volunteer—a man named Gosta Larsson suffering from severe facial and jaw deformities for whom the operation proves life-changing. Dr. Branemark finally secures financing for his project in the 1970s and later details the process and techniques for the osseointegration of titanium dental implants, forever changing the field of implantology.

Meanwhile, at Sterngold... Still located in Mt. Vernon, by 1971, the manufacturing of precision and semi-precision attachments becomes a major focus for the company. Modern equipment, precise quality control and constant research, backed by over 50 years of close cooperation with the dental profession, are the reasons why leading dentists and technicians prefer the STERN Gold line.

1960 patient presentation material — Patient Presentation Material by Sterngold Dental.

1980-PRESENT

Thanks to several developments, aesthetics take center stage in American dentistry: restorative practices and procedures now focus just as much on form as function. The introduction and proliferation of tooth-colored acrylics and veneers as well as bleaching techniques mark a new obsession with restoring an attractive smile. The digital transformation also evolves the practice of restorative dentistry, including the introduction of digital dentures. In 1983, Andersson develops the Procera system and in 1985, Mörmann introduces the CEREC system. Maeda and his team first use CAD/CAM technology to develop dentures in 1994.

Meanwhile, at Sterngold... In the 1980s, an additional field office for sales and marketing is established in Stamford, while in 1984, the Mt. Vernon factory is relocated to 23 Frank Mossberg Drive, Attleboro, Massachusetts. In 1985, Sterngold advances dental technology once again by manufacturing ERA resilient attachments and by 1991, Sterngold Dental has introduced the still popular ERA overdenture magnetic system.

In 1993, APM-Sterngold acquires ImplaMed, effectively expanding the business into the mini implant market. The Stern EX (external hex Branemark style root form implants) are our company’s first foray into implant manufacturing, and the Stern IC (single stage ITI compatible prosthetic connection) follows soon after. In 1997, Sterngold celebrates 100 years in business, starts selling consumables (such as EZ Pick Up and InstaTemp® Max) under the SternVantage™ purview in 1998, and officially launches its ecommerce website in 1999.

Sterngold ERA Attachment System — The Stern ERA Attachment system, still in use today!

THE FUTURE IS GOLDEN FOR STERNGOLD DENTAL

In the first two decades of 21st century, we have developed several new and enduring products. The 2.2 ERA implant was introduced in 2002, and the 3.25 ERA implant in 2003. Our TRU® conical and PUR® internal hex connection implants were introduced in 2015, providing a value option for implantologists. In 2016, we introduced our MOR® mini implants (aka small diameter implants), providing an affordable and minimally invasive implant option for dental patients. In 2019, Sterngold partnered with Merz Dental AG and began distributing digital denture solutions.

Today, Sterngold remains committed to the continual evolution of dental technology by frequently developing new product offerings, providing continuing education for dental practitioners, transforming with its customers to sustain growth, thrive, and win together.

Sources:

https://www.adea.org/GoDental/Health_Professions_Advisors/History_of_Dentistry.aspx
https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/ada-library/dental-history
http://www.historyofdentistry.net/dentistry-history/timeline-of-dentistry/
https://blog.ddslab.com/the-history-of-dental-implants
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_implant#History
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4040928/
https://www.ipinnovative.com/media/journals/APRD_3(1)_6-9.pdf
https://decisionsindentistry.com/article/digital-dentistry-for-complete-dentures/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5661720/

Denture Material