The concept of dentures has been around since 700 BC, making them one of the oldest dental treatments ever. Although, today, many of their past shortcomings still haunt their modern appeal, like their fake appearance and instability. In order to truly appreciate just how far this procedure has come, it’s important to understand their evolution, which you can read more about below.
Ancient Dentures
Dentures, or the idea of false teeth to help with eating or purely for cosmetic purposes, have been found in ancient archaeological digs in Mexico and Egypt. Indigenous tribes of Mexico were found to replace their missing teeth with teeth from wolves, while Egyptians would use animal bones and even ivory from elephant tusks. Although these methods are a far cry from customized dentures in modern laboratories that are modeled using CAD/CAM software and acrylic, they were as functional as they could have possibly been in 2500 BC.
Dentures in the Early 19th Century
Fast forward to the 1800s when sugary drinks, candy, and foods were eaten at an all-time high in Europe, and the need for dentures was even greater. In fact, most people lost a majority of their teeth by the age of 50, causing them to need replacements. A more grim reality was that these replacement teeth often came from those who died on the battlefield and were only accessible among the upper crust of society, as they were in such high demand and came with a steep price tag.
20th Century Dentures
The 20th century ushered in acrylic resin and other more affordable dental materials and techniques that made dentures accessible to working and middle-class people. Because porcelain was so costly and one of the only materials used to craft dentures up until the mid-1800s, it wasn’t until later that they were more widely utilized.
Leading-Edge Implant Dentures
During the 1950s, the idea of dentures transformed completely as a Swedish orthopedic surgeon realized that titanium has the ability to fuse with bone through a process called osseointegration. This fusion created a thin protective layer around the metal, keeping it from corroding over time and interacting with the outside bodily environment.
This research is the bedrock for dental implants, which are small titanium posts that are surgically inserted below the gumline and into the jawbone to replace missing tooth roots. Once the fusion has completed, free-standing dental crowns, bridges, and dentures can be attached to the implants to provide them with unmatched stability, completely revolutionizing the idea of replacement teeth.
While the fake-looking, brittle idea of dentures from the 1800s still often haunts contemporary dentures, the reality is that replacing missing teeth has come a long way. Patients are able to enjoy artificial teeth that look and feel completely natural, and that have both functional and aesthetic qualities that make them well worthwhile.
About the Author With over a decade of experience practicing dentistry and hundreds of hours of continuing education under his belt, Dr. Rafiq Hirji offers a wide range of solutions to replace missing teeth. From affordable dentures to lifelike dental implants, he’s able to provide virtually every restorative treatment in-house for his patients’ convenience and comfort. For questions or to schedule a consultation, visit Daily Smiles MacArthur Dental & Orthodontics’ website or call 972-546-4114.