The story of dentures is not for the faint of heart!
Here's the incredible story of the origins of dentures, the discovery of the dental implant and mini implants (4 on 1)
The pre-Roman Etruscans of Northern Italy made what are considered the first dentures out of human or animal teeth in approximately 1000 BC. George Washington, one of the more famous denture wearers wore one made of hippopotamus ivory implanted in a wooden prosthesis. These first dentures were very uncomfortable and disfigured his face.
The popularity of the use of sugar in the 18th and 19th century created a rise in the number of dentists. And the demand for replacement of the public's rotten teeth. Animal teeth tended to discolor some turning yellow or brown, others blue and would rot over time.
Waterloo teeth were teeth snatched from dead soldiers from the Napoleonic, Crimean and American Civil Wars. Although these dentures were more comfortable than those worn by George Washington, it’s unsavory origins didn’t sit well with the toothless upper class.
