The Amazing Evolution of Dentures!

Are you glad you don’t have wooden teeth? Dentures sure have come a long way since our ancestors used them. But have you ever wondered how dentures became so realistic, comfortable, and functional? Like many life-changing inventions, this popular tooth replacement has a rich, interesting history. Read on to learn about the surprising evolution of dentures.

The First Dentures Ever

The first dentures can be traced back to around 700 BC. The Etruscans of Northern Italy made the first known dentures by tying human or animal teeth together with gold wire. However, these materials were not designed to hold up under pressure from chewing, which is why experts believe they were made for cosmetic purposes. These types of dentures have also been found in Egyptian and Mexican archeological sites.

George Washington’s Famous Dentures

Despite popular belief, George Washington’s dentures were not made of wood! Instead, his smile featured dentures made of ivory that was carved from walruses, elephants, and hippopotamuses. While ivory is much better than wood, it eventually becomes stained while giving off a bad smell. Even so, these dentures were worn into the early 1800s and were usually only an option for the higher class.

Dentures From the 1800s

This time period is interesting because the consumption of sugar shot way up, leading to many people in Europe losing most of their teeth by the age of 50. The many wars going on during this time provided a great source for dentures. Teeth from soldiers were highly sought after, becoming a status symbol among the rich. For example, many teeth were taken from the Battle of Waterloo, which is why these dentures became known as “Waterloo teeth.”

During the 1800s, teeth were also extracted from criminals, and people who were in desperate need of money often sold their own smiles. This is also when the first modern dentures were created using porcelain attached to gold plates with springs and swivels. This allowed replacement teeth to function more like natural ones.

Today’s Dentures

Thankfully, you don’t have to deal with human remains or other unreliable materials to achieve a full, beautiful smile after you’ve lost your teeth. Dentures today are made of high-quality, durable resin that can mimic the look and feel of your natural smile. However, in the 21^st century, technology continues to progress, and now dental implants have become one of the most popular ways to replace teeth. Surgically planted in the bone, dental implants keep dentures stable, strong, and functional while also offering a more comfortable experience for the patient.

Now that you know where dentures started compared to where they are now, you can feel confident that if you need to replace your missing teeth, you’ll get a beautiful, custom-made solution!

About the Practice

Led by Dr. Jason Tubo, our team at Whitinsville Family Dentistry offers various options for dentures. Whether you’re missing some, most, or all of your teeth, we have full, partial, and implant dentures to get you back to smiling. To schedule an appointment, you can contact us through our website or by phone at (508) 234-8107.