Dentures today aren’t like the ones that your grandparents used to wear. In fact, dentures have been around for thousands of years. They have evolved a lot in that time. Today, dentures are a customized, lifechanging tooth replacement option for those with extensive tooth loss. Back in the older times, they weren’t quite as effective. Read on to learn more about dentures, how they got started, and how they evolved into their modern form.
The World’s First Dentures
The first known dentures date all of the way back to 700 B.C. This is when the Etruscans of ancient, northern Italy made dentures from a combination of human and animal teeth tied together with gold wires. Due to their composition, these “dentures” were likely just for cosmetic purposes. They wouldn’t have stood up to the pressure required for chewing. Similar dentures have also been found in Egyptian and Mexican archaeological sites.
The earliest surviving set of complete dentures is actually made from wood. They were found in Japan and were made in the 16th. This style of denture was utilized until the 19th century.
Dentures During Revolutionary Times
You have likely heard the myth that George Washington wore wooden dentures. While Washington did wear dentures, his prosthetic was not made from wood. Instead, it was constructed with a combination of a carved hippopotamus ivory plate, human teeth, horse teeth, and donkey teeth. While this worked for a while, ivory became stained and smelly over time, making them uncomfortable and unsanitary. At this point in history, dentures like these were expensive, so they were only an option for the wealthy.
19th Century Dentures
In the 1800s, sugar consumption throughout Europe increased significantly. This was especially the case in England, so it became common to lose most of your natural teeth by the age of 50. This created a much higher demand for dentures, causing them to become a status symbol amongst the elite. One of the main sources of replacement teeth for dentures at the time was teeth from deceased soldiers on the battlefield. For example, dentures that were made from human teeth removed from deceased soldiers in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 became known as “Waterloo Teeth.” Teeth were also extracted from criminals and sold by the poor to make some extra money.
The Invention of Porcelain Dentures
The first pair of porcelain dentures were invented by a British physician in 1774. However, they appeared unnaturally white and chipped easily. In 1820, a silversmith tried to mount porcelain teeth onto gold plating with springs and swivels, allowing for a more natural-looking and feeling prosthetic. This ended up being the first “modern” set of dentures as you would recognize today.
Modern Dentures
Since porcelain and gold were expensive materials, the average person couldn’t afford this type of denture. This is why an alternative was created in the mid-1800s from hardened rubber and vulcanite. This style of denture became popular and was widely used until the 20th century when acrylic resin was popularized.
Dentures are older than you probably thought. They have changed millions of lives over the years. If you have suffered from extensive tooth loss, schedule a consultation with your dentist. They may be the right tooth replacement solution for you!
About the Author
At Palm Dentistry, Dr. Sienna Palmers earned her dental doctorate from the Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California. Since then, she has been committed to continuing education. Today, she is affiliated with the Academy of General Dentistry. To learn more about dentures or to schedule a consultation, visit her website or call (949) 365-0951.