In the event that you lose your natural teeth, there is a good chance your dentist will recommend that you get dentures. Even though dentures have been around for years and you most likely already know a great deal, there are a few surprising facts that you may find a bit amusing or in some cases, a bit comical. Here are three of the most interesting you should consider as you are being fitted for your own prosthetic teeth.

Lost Your Teeth? Just Grab Someone Else's Chompers

The first experimentation with dentures involved making prosthetic teeth out of nothing other than natural materials. Wood, ivory, bone from other animals, and even the teeth of other dead humans were commonly used. Therefore, if someone lost their teeth, the next best thing was to yank the teeth out of someone else's mouth and affix them with wire or clay materials. As bad as it sounds to the modern ear, this seemingly barbaric behavior was the beginning of the modern denture as you know it. It was so common, that dentists commonly bought human teeth from people off the street for their denture constructing needs.

Solid Gold Constructed Teeth for Everyone!

The first porcelain teeth dentures were actually made in 1820 by a goldsmith by the name of Samuel Lockton. Good ole' Sam set his porcelain formed teeth in 18k gold plates for stability and this was the beginning of civilized prosthetic teeth. While this may seem similar to the gold plated crowns that are still a part of some mouths today, these original gold plates were much more heavy and unwieldy. And you thought the price you were quoted for new teeth was expensive. Just imagine if they were cast in solid gold!

How About A New Set of Wooden Chompers?

In the 1500's, the first set of wooden dentures surfaced. These teeth were carved completely out of one hunk of wood and designed to look like the real thing, in spite of the fact that the wood grain probably gave it away. Could it be possible that with wooden chompers you could break off your own toothpick if the moment called for it? It is pretty interesting to consider the possibilities, but rather scary to think about splinters.

When you go in to get your mouth molded for a new set of dentures, You more than likely have an even bigger appreciation for the fact that common materials now are resin and acrylic. No splinters, no hefty gold, and thankfully, no teeth that have been situated in someone's, or something's, mouth other than your own.

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