Cool Fact: False Teeth

[The Learning Kingdom]

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    The Learning Kingdom's Cool Fact of the Day for March 11, 1999
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                  When were false teeth first made?

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The Etruscans in Italy were the first people known to build and use
false teeth.  As early as 700 BC they were constructing ivory or bone
teeth, secured with bridgework made out of gold, good enough to eat
with.  Such sophisticated work was not seen again until the 1800s.

In the 1700s false teeth were secured to any remaining original teeth
or held in place by spring-loaded mechanisms.  The latter sometimes
resulted in embarrassing accidents, as sets of teeth might suddenly pop
out, springing into the air.  Such cumbersome dentures had to be
removed during eating, since they were not designed for chewing.

Today crowns (false teeth cemented to existing teeth) and dentures
are far more comfortable and practical.  It is even possible to
implant artificial teeth directly into the jaw.

More about the history of dentistry:
http://www.smiledoc.com/smiledoc/dentist/denhis.html


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