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 day, they weren’t necessarily 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 century. 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 was a denture-wearer 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 no longer have 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 were 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 we know them 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 made in the mid-1800s from hardened rubber and vulcanite. This type of denture became popular and was widely used until the 20th century when acrylic resin was popularized.
Dentures are older than you may think. They have changed millions over lives over the years. If you are interested in dentures, schedule a consultation with your dentist so you can get personalized replacement teeth just for you!
About the Author
Dr. Louis Olberding earned his dental doctorate from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. Since then, he has bene committed to continuing education to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. To learn more about dentures or to schedule an appointment at his office in Lincoln, visit his website or call (402) 488-2325.