Mouthfuls of History: The Evolution of Dentures

When you think of dentures, words like reliable, durable, and natural-looking probably come to mind.  But how did they earn that reputation? Believe it or not, these popular prosthetics have not always been as comfortable and lifelike as they are today. Here’s a quick look at how the dentures you know and love came to be!

Early Dentures

The first dentures are believed to have originated around 700 BCE by the Etruscans of Northern Italy and were made of either human or animal teeth tied together with gold wires. They were not especially useful, however, and were likely just made for cosmetic reasons. Other styles of dentures were found throughout the world in places like Egypt and Mexico, but the earliest full set of dentures dates to 16^th century Japan and were made completely of wood. This type became so popular that it was used until 19^th century.

George Washington’s Dentures

George Washington’s dentures have become an iconic bit of folklore over the years; with many people believing they were made of wood. However, they were actually made of carved hippopotamus ivory with a variety of human and animal teeth. Ivory was a common denture material of the time, but it was extremely uncomfortable, stained easily, and didn’t take long to begin smelling terrible. Worse yet, because they were so expensive, they were only an option for the wealthy.

The 1800s

During this time, sugar consumption was on the rise and dentures were in high demand. As a result, many teeth were harvested from victims found on battlegrounds or stolen from prisoners and even sold by poor people looking to make money.

Porcelain Dentures

Porcelain dentures were developed in 1774 by a British physician. Unfortunately, they looked unrealistically white and were easily damaged. Thankfully, in 1820 a silversmith had the genius idea to mount porcelain teeth onto a gold plate with springs and swivels, making way for modern dentures!

Today’s Dentures

Because porcelain dentures were considered quite expensive, many people still could not afford them. In response, during the mid-1800s a vulcanized rubber version was created by the Goodyear family. These were easier to use and customize, so they fit better and were more customizable. This became the standard for dentures until acrylic resin models were developed in the 20^th century. These remain the gold standard in dentures today!

Remember, dentures have had a long journey to become the durable, reliable prosthetics they are today. If you’re ready to replace your lost teeth with the help of these functional and attractive restorations, speak to your dentist and see if dentures are right for you!

About Dr. Freyne

Dr. Ronan Freyne earned his undergraduate degree at Georgetown University and his Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He is a current, active member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Maryland State Dental Association, and District of Columbia Dental Society. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Freyne for dentures, please visit our website or call us today at 301-986-0700.