Denture materials

A patient, who had been referred to see me at the practice recently, was asking about the materials that dentures were made of in past times.

Interestingly, there are many and varied materials that have been used. For example, Ivory, from the hippopotamus or walrus was the normal material for making artificial teeth during the 17th century and a full extension denture was laboriously carved in one piece to look roughly like a modern denture. Often, a lower denture was weighted to allow gravity to keep them on the gums! Only a small number of people could afford these treatments at that time.

The era of dentures for the general population, began in the 1950's, following the invention, in America, of sulphur hardened rubber, known as vulcanite, for providing the base to the denture.

This revolutionized dentistry, and allowed for further materials to be developed, resulting in the modern dental acrylic resins which we see today.

Currently, the material of choice is a development of these acrylic, which are hardened using a technique known as Injection molding. This provides a more lifelike and strong material which is durable and gives improved aesthetics and appearance.

Fortunately, the days of carving Ivory have long gone!