Denture, false teeth

Early dentists known as 'operators for the teeth' first appeared in the seventeenth century. There was a huge demand for dentures which were usually made from whalebone, walrus, elephant or hippopotamus ivory. This lower jaw denture has been carved from hippopotamus ivory and features holes to attach it to the wearer's remaining teeth. It would have been made for a wealthy person because hippopotamus ivory was expensive. In this period artificial teeth were considered status symbols and were removed at the dinner table without fear of social embarrassment.