Ancient Artifacts Offer a Glimpse into Early Cosmetic Dentistry
BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI, MAY 26, 2009
Decorating one's teeth in gold and diamonds may have been popularized by today's hip-hop stars, but new artifacts from southern North America show not only that dental bling was around 2,500 years ago, but that it was the work of skilled dentists.
Ancient teeth surveyed from the collections of Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History were found to feature "notches, grooves and semiprecious gems." We have little insight into what these decorations might have meant, though they were mostly found in men and did not seem to reflect social class. These adorned teeth were also not associated with a particular time period, with the National Geographic noting only that the teeth came from the Mesoamerican region and predated the Spanish conquests of the 1500s, which suggests that this particular trend lasted hundreds of years and spanned civilizations.
More intriguing is the new information this discovery provides into early dentistry. These dentists were knowledgeable about tooth anatomy and sophisticated enough in their techniques and tools to avoid damage to the tooth or infection. They likely used a drill made of hard stone and relied on an herb-based anesthetic for pain relief. Researchers have also concluded that the gems were attached with adhesive made out of natural resins (e.g. plant sap) mixed with other chemicals and crushed bones. While tools and materials may have evolved, these discoveries point to a uniquely enduring market for cosmetic dentistry.
