The invention of false teeth, more formally known as dentures, represents a long evolutionary journey spanning millennia. This search for replacements for missing teeth has driven innovation across various cultures and time periods. The history of dental prosthetics is marked by continuous improvements in materials and fit rather than a singular moment of creation. It is a story of moving from rudimentary, often non-functional devices to the comfortable, customized appliances used today.
Ancient Origins and Early Attempts
The earliest evidence of dental prosthetics dates back to ancient civilizations, where initial attempts focused more on aesthetics than on practical function. Around the 7th century BCE, the Etruscans in northern Italy pioneered the use of gold bands to hold replacement teeth in place. These rudimentary dental bridges used human or animal teeth, such as those from oxen, fastened with gold wire. Wearing such appliances was frequently a mark of high social status, particularly among elite Etruscan women.
These early devices were not designed to withstand the heavy forces of chewing. Archaeological findings from ancient Mexico dating to 2500 BCE suggest that indigenous tribes used wolf teeth simply inserted into the empty socket for replacement. The Mayans also experimented with carved stones, seashells, and bone pieces, some of which fused with the jawbone.
The Era of Organic Materials
The period leading up to the 18th century saw the widespread use of organic materials, which were prone to rapid decay and staining. Dentures were often crafted from carved bone or ivory, sourced from animals like hippopotamus, walrus, and elephant tusks. The most notorious material for replacement teeth was genuine human teeth, often acquired from deceased individuals or sold by people in dire financial need.
The teeth harvested from soldiers killed in battles, most notably the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, became known as “Waterloo Teeth” and were a highly sought-after commodity. George Washington, who owned multiple sets, was a famous wearer of these early organic dentures. Contrary to popular folklore, his dentures were not made of wood; instead, they were constructed from materials like gold, lead, brass, hippopotamus ivory, and human or animal teeth. These devices were ill-fitting, caused him considerable pain, and required constant maintenance.
The Porcelain Revolution
A major technological shift occurred in the late 18th century with the introduction of porcelain, marking the first move toward a durable and hygienic prosthetic material. French apothecary Alexis Duchâteau initially proposed using porcelain for dentures in the 1770s, seeking an alternative to unhygienic ivory and bone devices. Duchâteau’s early attempts were flawed, however, due to issues with shrinkage and poor fit.
The material was significantly refined by the Parisian surgeon-dentist Nicholas Dubois de Chemant, who secured a patent for his improved mineral paste in 1791. Porcelain offered a more aesthetically pleasing and non-porous surface compared to organic matter, making it resistant to staining and odor. Despite these advantages, early porcelain dentures were brittle, difficult to fit precisely, and the teeth tended to “click” during speech. This innovation represented the invention of a truly modern, synthetic dental appliance.
The Industrialization of Dentures
The mid-19th century brought a shift that made false teeth accessible to a much broader population through material science. Charles Goodyear’s invention of the vulcanization process for rubber in 1843, and the subsequent patenting of vulcanite for dental use in 1851, proved transformative for denture construction. Vulcanite is a hard, durable, and inexpensive rubber that could be easily molded to a patient’s gums, allowing for a superior and more comfortable fit than previous rigid materials.
This new material, often a dark reddish-brown, served as an excellent base for attaching porcelain teeth, significantly lowering the cost of production. The affordability and improved fit of vulcanite dentures democratized the technology, establishing them as the standard prosthetic for nearly a century, from the 1850s to the 1940s. The later development of celluloid and then acrylic resin in the 20th century further improved aesthetics and fit, continuing the trend of mass-produced, high-quality, and affordable false teeth.