People have been attempting to replace missing teeth since all the way back in 700 B.C. At least that’s as far as historians have traced dentures so far. The earliest denture design came from the ancient ancestors of modern Italians (known as Etruscans). They made dentures out of actual teeth – both animal and human. Dentures began to…
People have been attempting to replace missing teeth since all the way back in 700 B.C. At least that’s as far as historians have traced dentures so far. The earliest denture design came from the ancient ancestors of modern Italians (known as Etruscans). They made dentures out of actual teeth – both animal and human. Dentures began to take the form we know today around the 15th century in Europe. Fabricated from ivory or bone, it is believed that George Washington’s famous dentures were crafted from hippopotamus ivory. If you’re a Knoxville, TN resident interest in learning more about dentures, Dr. Jim Erpenbach has the scoop.
Denture Evolution
You probably don’t want to know how those human teeth were procured in the early days of dentures that we mentioned above. It’s quite possible that grave robbing was one way. Another method involved living donors who exchanged their teeth for money. Dentures made from human teeth that were infected with decay deteriorated quickly. Eventually, porcelain became the material of choice for dentures. This remains true today, with the gum-colored bases of modern dentures usually being made out of acrylic.
Keeping Dentures Clean
A thorough cleaning of your dentures may become a low priority when you get used to wearing your new teeth. Unfortunately, you’ll want to make sure you work proper denture care into your schedule so your replacement teeth don’t end up teeming with bacteria. A haphazard dip in cleaner won’t do the trick. You need to plan nights where you soak your dentures thoroughly overnight. Don’t forget to keep regular checkups with Dr. Erpenbach. You may think that just because you have no natural teeth, regular checkups are a waste of time. The truth is, your dentures can become ill-fitting and may require adjustments. They can also become overrun by germs that can lead to infections of your gum tissues.
Dentures from Knoxville, TN Dentist
If you would like to schedule an appointment with our 37919 dentist office, you can call 865-584-8630. Your biomimetic family dentist in Knoxville welcomes patients from Knoxville and the greater metropolitan area.
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