People have fretted over their missing teeth ever since they learned to recognize their own reflections, and they have tried various means to replace them ever since. Some ancient cultures replaced teeth by driving animal teeth or seashell shards into the gums, but these primitive dental implants had inconsistent success at best. While removable false teeth have been around for more than two thousand years, they have not always been as comfortable and lifelike as they are today. Here’s a brief outline of how dentures have evolved over time.
Ancient False Teeth
The first known sets of false teeth were crafted by the Etruscans of ancient Italy when they bound human and animal teeth together with gold wires. However, these false teeth were not sturdy enough to stand up to the pressures of chewing and were probably only used for cosmetic purposes. Similar sets of ancient dentures have also been found at archeological sites in Egypt and Mexico.
The Dawn of the Era of Dentures
The earliest known set of complete dentures was discovered in Japan and can be traced back to the sixteenth century. These were made from wood, which was a common material for dentures up until the nineteenth century.
George Washington’s false teeth are probably the most famous set of dentures in history, and contrary to popular belief, they were made out of ivory rather than wood. These were made from hippopotamus ivory and parts of horse and donkey teeth. Unfortunately, this sort of denture was uncomfortable to wear and would eventually develop stains and a foul smell. However, ivory dentures were used by wealthy individuals into the early nineteenth century.
The Sugary Menace
Sugar consumption skyrocketed across Europe and especially England during the colonial era, and many people began to lose most of their teeth by the age of fifty. Accordingly, the demand for dental restorations increased.
Porcelain dentures were developed in 1774 by a British physician, but they looked unnaturally white and could be easily chipped. A silversmith improved the design in 1820 by using springs and swivels to mount porcelain teeth on gold plates, allowing them to move during chewing. This was more or less the first modern set of dentures.
Dentures Today
In the middle of the nineteenth century, the Goodyear family developed vulcanite, an affordable material that could be used to make denture bases. These bases were flexible and more affordable than gold ones and could be molded to fit the patient’s gums, allowing dentures to become more accessible to common people. In the twentieth century, acrylic resin became the most common material for dentures, creating an uncannily comfortable fit. Today, patients can almost forget that they are wearing dentures at all, and passers-by are extremely unlikely to notice them.
About the Practice
Salt Run Family Dentistry makes dental visits into fun and pleasant experiences for the community of St. Augustine, FL. Led by Drs. Mickey Leth, Bert Tavary, and Nicole Dunn, the staff ensures each patient receives care personalized to fit their needs. Areas of expertise include general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry as well as denture treatments. To schedule a denture consultation, contact the office online or dial (904) 824-3540.