Weird Teeth Replacements Throughout History
Missing teeth have been a problem for people throughout history, and the desire for a complete smile is nothing new. But before modern dentistry gave us titanium implants and natural-looking crowns, people tried some truly unusual methods to restore their teeth. From seashells to animal bones, tooth replacements have a long and often bizarre history.
At Emergency Dental of Oklahoma City, we love looking at the fascinating evolution of dental care to remind us how far we’ve come. Today’s advanced technology makes replacement teeth strong, safe, and natural-looking, unlike the sometimes shocking solutions of the past.
Here are some extremely weird tooth replacements people have used.
1. Animal Teeth
First up on the list of weird teeth replacements is animal teeth! In ancient times, people often turned to the natural world when trying to replace teeth.
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What they did: Teeth from animals like dogs, sheep, and even horses were used to fill in gaps.
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How it worked: They were crudely filed down and attached with wires or fitted into rudimentary dentures.
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The problem: Animal teeth didn’t fit well, carried bacteria, and wore down quickly. Infection risk was high, making this a dangerous choice.
Still, these attempts highlight how desperate people were to restore their smiles long before professional dentistry existed.
2. Stone and Seashells
The Mayans, known for their advanced culture, also experimented with creative dental solutions.
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What they did: Archaeologists have discovered Mayan skulls with carved stones, jade, and seashells inserted into the jaw as tooth replacements.
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Why it’s impressive: Some of these implants actually fused with the bone—a concept remarkably similar to modern dental implants.
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The problem: While advanced for their time, these replacements weren’t always functional and often caused pain or infection.
Still, the fact that some survived for centuries proves the Mayans were pioneers in dental innovation.
3. Human Teeth: The “Waterloo Teeth”
By the 18th and 19th centuries, dentures became more common, but the materials were less than ideal.
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What they did: Real human teeth were often used to create dentures. Poor people sometimes sold their teeth for money, while others were taken from corpses.
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The darkest chapter: After the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 (BBC), teeth were collected from fallen soldiers to be used in dentures, leading to the infamous name “Waterloo teeth.”
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The problem: Aside from the obvious ethical issues, transplanted human teeth often carried disease and were prone to decay.
This practice showed the demand for realistic tooth replacements but also highlighted the lack of sanitary standards at the time.
4. Ivory and Bone
For wealthier individuals, ivory was a popular material for dentures during the 18th and early 19th centuries.
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What they did: Teeth were carved from elephant, walrus, or hippopotamus ivory, as well as animal bone.
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Why it appealed: Ivory looked more natural than stone or wood and was easier to shape.
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The problem: Ivory stained quickly, absorbed odors, and wore down over time, making these dentures uncomfortable and unsightly.
Despite the drawbacks, ivory remained popular until porcelain teeth became available.
5. Gold and Precious Metals
Some ancient civilizations, particularly the Etruscans of Italy around 700 BC, used gold to replace or stabilize teeth (Bryn Mawr Classical Review).
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What they did: Gold bands and wires held natural or replacement teeth in place.
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Why it worked: Gold was durable, malleable, and resistant to corrosion.
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The problem: It was expensive and not widely available, so only the wealthy benefited.
Gold continued to be used in dentistry for centuries, including in fillings and crowns. Even today, some patients prefer gold crowns for their durability.
6. Porcelain Teeth
By the late 1700s, innovation led to dentures made from porcelain.
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Why it was revolutionary: Porcelain looked far more natural than ivory or bone.
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The problem: Early porcelain dentures were brittle, prone to chipping, and made a clacking sound when chewing.
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The breakthrough: Over time, improvements in porcelain strength made these dentures more practical, laying the foundation for modern ceramic crowns and veneers.
Porcelain brought cosmetic dentistry into a new era, though early adopters often had to deal with fragility.
7. George Washington’s Dentures (Not Wooden!)
Perhaps the most famous myth in dental history is that George Washington had wooden teeth.
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The truth: Washington’s dentures were made from a combination of human teeth, animal teeth, ivory, and metal springs.
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Why the myth persists: Over time, the materials stained and discolored, giving them a wooden appearance.
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The problem: These dentures were uncomfortable and poorly fitting, but they helped Washington maintain his public image.
Washington’s dentures remind us of the difficulties people faced before modern dental care became available.
8. Modern “Oddities”: Titanium and Zirconia
Compared to seashells and ivory, today’s materials may seem futuristic.
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What we use now: Modern dental implants are made of titanium or zirconia, both of which safely bond with the jawbone.
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Why they work: Titanium is lightweight, durable, and biocompatible, while zirconia offers a metal-free, natural-looking option.
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The result: Modern implants are comfortable, long-lasting, and virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.
Though common today, to someone from centuries ago, titanium implants might have seemed like science fiction.
Conclusion
From animal bones to seashells, human teeth, ivory, and gold, people have tried almost everything to restore their smiles. While some methods were surprisingly advanced for their time, many were dangerous, uncomfortable, or unsanitary. Thankfully, we live in a time where dental science has transformed tooth replacement into a safe, reliable, and natural-looking process.
At Emergency Dental of Oklahoma City, we know how important a healthy, complete smile is. Whether you’ve lost a tooth due to injury, decay, or another issue, today’s modern solutions—from dental implants to custom dentures—are light-years ahead of the strange experiments of the past.
If you need urgent care or want to explore safe tooth replacement options, we’re here to help.
Visit our website to schedule an appointment and explore our dental blog for more fascinating insights into dental health and history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Did George Washington really have wooden teeth?
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No. His dentures were made of human teeth, animal teeth, ivory, and metal, but they looked wooden due to staining.
2. What were “Waterloo teeth”?
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Teeth taken from soldiers who died in battle, used in dentures during the 19th century.
3. Did ancient tooth replacements ever work?
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Surprisingly, yes. Some Mayan seashell implants fused with the jawbone, similar to modern implants.
4. What are dental implants made of today?
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Most implants are titanium or zirconia, both of which are durable, safe, and natural-looking.
5. Are modern dentures and implants safe?
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Yes. Today’s replacements are designed with advanced technology, making them comfortable, functional, and long-lasting.
