If you’ve replaced several or all your missing teeth with dentures, you’re in good company. They remain a popular way to rebuild smiles after tooth loss because they have a long history of success. Over time, countless patients have restored their mouths’ appearance and functionality with these versatile prosthetics.
Today, dentures are made to look and feel as comfortable and natural as possible, but that hasn’t always been the case. You might be surprised to learn that their long and varied evolution dates all the way back to ancient times. Continue reading to dive into their fascinating history so you can appreciate your recently refurbished grin that much more!
Earliest Attempts
Our ancestors have sought solutions to protect and preserve their grins for thousands of years. For instance, early records of dentures can be traced back to northern Italy around 700 BC. Around this time, the Etruscans made oral appliances to replace spaces in their smiles using animal or human teeth tied together with gold wired ivory. However, these ancient attempts were likely more cosmetic than practical because the design couldn’t withstand the pressure of biting down.
Wooden Wonders
There weren’t many major advancements in designing replacement teeth until the 16th century. It’s believed that the first set of false teeth can be traced back to Japan, where impressions were made with beeswax to create wooden dentures. These contained teeth sourced from animals, animal horns, or other people. Unfortunately, these models stained easily and often gave off a foul odor.
Industrial Updates
During the industrial revolution of the 1800s, sugar consumption skyrocketed in Europe. It became common for adults to lose all their teeth by the time they turned 50 years old. At the time, war raged on the battlefields, and one easily accessible source for teeth was from fallen soldiers. It may seem gruesome today, but the practice was so popular following the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 that these replacements were commonly known as “Waterloo teeth.”
Porcelain Pieces
Then, in 1774, the first set of porcelain dentures was designed by a British physician. Although there were high hopes for this material, people quickly learned that these artificial teeth looked awkwardly white and were prone to chipping. This issue wasn’t addressed until 1820 when a silversmith mounted porcelain teeth onto gold plates with springs and swivels, so they worked more naturally. Many sources consider these the first set of modern dentures.
Contemporary Comfort
Finally, in the mid-1800s, Charles Goodyear developed vulcanized rubber that could be used as a more comfortable base for replacement teeth. This was followed by the development of durable resin and plastics in the 20th century that could be used as pontics (artificial teeth), which eliminated the need for sourcing organic ones.
Today, most dentures have a gum-colored acrylic base carved to look just like your natural connective tissues. Furthermore, the resilient ceramic teeth they contain are customized to match the shape, shade, and size of the ones you were born with.
The result is a comfortable prosthetic that looks and feels more lifelike than ever!
About the Practice
At South Shore Dental Care, you benefit from two leading cosmetic dentists in the Long Island area who work together to provide a full array of services. Drs. Dory and Khalida Stutman can help with everything from basic preventative care to more complex treatments and restorations, including dentures. Their boutique dental practice is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to enhance patient comfort while delivering accurate, long-lasting results. If you’re interested in dentures, you can request a consultation on the website or call (516) 798-3808.