Dentures are designed to not only replace teeth, but look natural and feel comfortable at the same time. While this affordable solution for major tooth loss is incredibly commonplace, it took centuries of fine tuning and development for them to get to where they are today. As a result, there have been many iterations of dentures that most people wouldn’t dream of using. Today, you can learn more about the evolution of dentures in Beverly Hills from a dentist!

The Earliest Known Dentures

The first-known dentures were recorded in 700 BC. It was the ancient Etruscans of northern Italy who tied teeth from either humans or animal together with gold wires. However, these dentures were not particularly ideal for regular chewing. Instead, they were more likely used for cosmetic purposes as well as to highlight status.

Other types of dentures were found in Egyptian and Mexican archeological sites. However, the earliest surviving set of dentures were found in Japan and dated back to the 16^th century. Not only were they a complete denture, a type of denture that is used to this day, but they were made entirely from wood. Of course, the Japanese would only continue using wooden dentures up until the 19^th century.

Dentures in the 18^th Century

It wasn’t until 1726 that Pierre Fauchard, largely credited as the “father of modern dentistry,” created a denture made from a metal frame and teeth fabricated from an animal bone. Nearly 50 years later, in 1770, the very first porcelain dentures would be made by Alexis Duchâteau, the inventor of porcelain teeth.

Unfortunately, this was well before the United State’s first president, George Washington, first started losing his teeth. In fact, he began losing his teeth in his early twenties, and by the time he was president, he only had one tooth left. Contrary to popular belief, Washington did not have dentures made from wood. Instead, they were made from a combination of rare hippopotamus ivory, human teeth, and metal fasteners to keep them in place.

How Modern Dentures Differ

Today, modern dentures are made from materials that are still lifelike, despite not being entirely made from porcelain (which would prove to be far too expensive for most). Instead, they are made from acrylic resin, a material that can also be color-matched to blend in with the gums. With that said, the teeth used to build the denture can be made from porcelain if preferred. Thankfully, dental resin is incredibly versatile and can be used in place of porcelain to make dentures more affordable. Additionally, dentures can now be paired with dental implants, the most advanced method for replacing teeth in dentistry to date.

Not only are dentures today more natural-looking and affordable, but they are more comfortable and longer-lasting. Get in touch with a dentist today to learn which type of denture can best suit your needs!

About the Author

Dr. Kboudi believes that the right denture can change a person’s life, and that’s exactly why he always gives one-on-one attention to patients looking to replace their teeth through a dedicated and personalized prosthetic. He’ll listen to your needs and confirm that your full, partial, or implant denture is comfortable, lasting, and looks incredibly natural. To schedule an appointment, you can contact him through his website.